June 2, 2009 – A great deal has happened since the initial post of this article. Most critically, the police blockade was lifted and the bridge has been re-opened to the community…
In addition to the links below, you may want to keep an eye on the Six Nations Reclamation forum for future updates.
June 1, 2009 – Reports are coming in that the Mohawk community of Akwesasne has been blocked off by American and Ontario Police forces on either sides of the border, due to Mohawk defiance of the order to permit the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to carry lethal weapons on the border. The community sits between New York and Ontario, near the city of Cornwall.
For regular updates, visit http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com. You can also contact Sandra Cuffe for updates and interviews from the community at: 514 583 6432 lavagabunda27@yahoo.es
“(The Canadian Border Service Agency) is a foreign oppressive force who occupies our sovereign community and territory. (They are) unwelcome, uninvited and now carrying firearms. For lack of a different description, that is considered by some an act of war.” – Larry King, member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory (quoted in the Ottawa Citizen, May 29, 2009)
A delegation of three non-native Montreal activists, including a member of No One Is Illegal-Montreal, is currently at the site of protesters at the Kawehnoke Port of Entry (Cornwall Island) on the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne. Native protests at Akwesasne are welcoming allies to stand in solidarity, and to witness their efforts to resist the imposition of armed guards on Mohawk territory.
The No One Is Illegal-Montreal website will have updates directly from Akwesasne, as well as maintain a mainstream and alternative news compilation at this link. Read more below.
Update – 5:35am
Monday, June 1, 2009
– CBSA guards abandon posts
– Seaway International Bridge is blocked to vehicular traffic by police
– Protesters maintain presence at border crossing
Dawn is breaking on the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne, where local residents have protested for months to oppose the arming of Canadian Borders Services Agency (CBSA) guards on their territory. More than 50 protesters are maintaining a presence near the Canadian customs building on Cornwall Island. There are at least five fires burning to keep demonstrators warm. Many more residents and supporters are expected to be on-site as the morning progresses.
According to residents of Akwesasne (as well as mainstream media reports), CBSA border agents abandoned their posts just before midnight, out of fear of reprisals from the community. CBSA agents were due to be armed at the Port of Cornwall crossing on June 1, a policy universally opposed and condemned by the Akwesasne Mohawk Community.
Vehicular traffic onto the Seaway International Bridge has been shut down by police on both sides of the border, although pedestrians are still being allowed to access the bridge.
The Mohawk territory of Akwesasne straddles the jurisdictions of Ontario, Quebec and New York State, and is a major international border crossing between Canada and the United States. CBSA guards began arming in 2007, and there are currently more than 800 armed CBSA guards across Canada. The entire CBSA aims to be armed, in stages, by 2016. The CBSA announced that their agents at the Port of Cornwall would be armed by June 1 of this year.
SELECTED NEWS & INFORMATION COMPILATION
June 1, 2009
Cornwall Standard-Freeholder: U.S.-Canada border closed by Akwesasne protest of guns at crossing; Border guards leave posts for U.S.
Ottawa Citizen: Armed border guards abandon posts on First Nation
Radio-Canada: Les Mohawks ne décolèrent pas
May 30, 2009
Mohawk Nation News (MNN): Akwesasne Unity March
May 29, 2009
Ottawa Citizen: Plan to arm borders guards an “act of war”
Mohawk Nation News (MNN): UN asked to stop guns at Akwesasne border
May 28, 2009
Mohawk Nation News (MNN): There will be no guns! “You are on Indian Land”
19 mai, 2009
Radio-Canada: Forte opposition aux douaniers armés
May 12, 2009
Mohawk Nation News (MNN): 41-year legacy of Mohawk resistance at Akwesasne border
May 9, 2009
Canadian Border Services Agency: CBSA officers will begin carrying duty firearms on June 1, 2009, at the Port of Cornwall
May 3, 2009
Mohawk Nation News (MNN): Armed Border Guards at Akwesasne?
John Ahniwanika Schertow is an indigenous rights activist of Mohawk (Kanienkehaka) and mixed-European descent. For the past 8 years, he has served as the e... 
The Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse" are a confederation made up of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Tuscarora and Mohawk Nations.
For more than a thousand years,... 
What the hell!!I constantly say i have great faith in Obama and Harper well the jury is still out on him,but i hope and pray they the police do no harm to my people out there.This is upsetting news and i will be keeping a close eye on this situation.Those Mohawks are under my wing and each and every native warrior is worth a billion dollars in loses to which ever side of the border dares lay a hand on them.Know that the great spirits are with you my brothers and sisters and watching out for you all PEACE!!
Do enjoy the power,the maintained highways,jobs,education, no passport and many other things too numerous to mention that the outside community furnish to your society? It’s called give and take, not take and take!
Greg, do you mean tell me you would let armed guards in your backyard. You’re right it is give and take, but to set the record straight: All the govenrment does is take while the Mohawks, etc. are supposed to just sit back and let them. That was true 200 years ago, and it’s true today as far as government policy is concerned.
They are drug smugglers they do business all the time in Quebec and USA. Pot goes south and TOBACCO/Cocaine north as well as guns. That is why Canada and the USA want the border guards to carry guns, just like the warriors. So if you are insulted by this blame it on your gangs of smugglers.
Little kids and Grandmothers are drug smugglers, eh? WOW.
Can’t we all just get along?
We surely can, my friend– but only when the government acknowledges indigenous rights and treats indigenous people as equals.
If they did that, there would never be another roadblock or protest ever again. We just want to live our own lives in peace.
This may sound stupid, but can anyone tell me if the customs is on owned land or is it rented out by the tribe? If it is rented, to whom does the money go?
Thanks
not stupid at all, Joanne. This is all taking place on Mohawk land. Canada and the US has no legal jurisdiction beyond what they have “assumed” for themselves – to my knowledge, without any type of negotiations or compensation. Basically, the two states just chalked a line right through the middle of the community, and then built the bridge (which almost exclusively used by the Mohawks, eg, to go to the local grocery store.)
Ahni,
You don’t know my neighbors do you? They have guns and are way crazier than the Canadian customs officers.
Hey Greg, I’m not talking about your neighbors, I’m talking about Armed guards employed by the Federal government. Say you have a couple kids, are you really ok with armed guards permanently stationed in your yard? If so that you’re about the only one.
Ahni,
I didn’t know that the guards were going into your neighborhood causing trouble. Sorry for my ignorance.
I have heard they use tear gas on childern (in the past)
that is something that I never forgot,I have two childern and it is abuse of power to let fear into the people who only stand up for their rights.
I hope that Indigenous People will stand together all over the world,the struggle is going on for so long now.This is a good start Ahni
It has to stop.
My prayers are with these brave people,who have the guts and don’t give up
Hope they will reach a lot of ears and more support for their struggle
Ester,
That would be a terrible thing to do to a child.
Who brings children to a fight?
Indeed Thomas, it is terrible that the the police would (consciously) spray that gas on children.
If I’m guessing correctly, it wasn’t a fight Ester’s referring to, It was a peaceful camp. The OPP did the same thing to the Algonquins not too long ago. It’s no different than Ipperwash.
yes thank you for the explanation Ahni.
It was a while ago since I heard it and yes it was a peaceful camp.
Sorry about the confusion,Thomas but what I ment is that they will use it and without limits,that is sacry!
No parent will stand up for their rights or take action on it infront of the childern or if childern are present.
hey greg give and take huh well our land was stolen from under our feet and still is to this day,when the government sells our lands to the corporations that poison our lands and waters and air yet you defend them must be white huh greg.POWER!! to the people that IS indian land as all of turtle island is and i repeat i concur that racist border guards should not be armed on indian land.In the states they bother our people all the time and my spiritual investigation has shown me that racists and mean spirited people man that border.Get rid of the racists or move the border off Mohawk land!You are not alone my people.PEACE!!
Windtalker,
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to throw out the racist white card. I am white and indian. I am so sick of being held responsible for what my distant ancestors may have done. I judge people by their character not race. You can’t tell me honestly that in the past all indians got along. If i remember right the Algoquins feared the Iroquois. The Algoquins were called “bark eaters” and the Iroquois “eaters of men”. You are right,if the whiteman let you keep this land then they should honor that agreement today. No bridge should have been built there. Hopefully now that they are going to build a new one and remove the old one that will make things right. What will the island people do, buy a ferry?
Hello everyone,
We all know some people in authority that like to push others around,but anyone that works at a dangerous job has a right to feel protected.So how about this.The customers officers are issued a gun when they start their shift and the gun never leaves the office/booth.To make it fair, the gun is issued by someone that represents the tribal government and would have the final say if someone is responsible enough to get one.Of course severe training must be given,and that officer should face the same laws as everyone else. You hurt someone innocent, you do the time. No idiot should ever be given a gun! Of course this idea would need more tweaking, but it would at least be a start.
I support the Mohawks, get that border off their lands!
There shouldn’t even be a border, we were borderless people…and went anywhere we wanted to hunt and fish, and trade with neighboring tribes, these aren’t our rules, this is British and French laws…not ours. We follow international laws…not Provincial and Federal…and for the racists, please go to your local library and read a little bit of history, cause we never ceded any of our lands for them to be making jurisdiction.
They invaded and still are invading today!
“Shoooo go back to europe!”
Friend to All, your suggestion is a good one and it’s certainly one worth considering, but I think the more reasonable course really is to get rid of the border. It may cost quite a bit (and obviate a few history books that will still be used in 170 years, lol) but in end it would be a win-win for Canada and the Mohawk people.
Get rid of the border will be a good start.
I do hope they get a lot of support and strenght.
The history we learn here is certain not of these things,we know it but not from school.
It is all about propaganda started with the church,killing millions of people from Natural Religions,we lost our ways there and went on to other countries.
Now the wrongs are in control for people who want to see….
We all know were that is leading too->the way of destruction.
Anyway it is a good thing to speak out and take action on it.
I respect that,willing to fight for what you believe in and making a stand.
Not because of the greed….but what is in your heart and needed in the future.
You are right Windtalker. Kick all the whitemen off indian land.We don’t need anything from them –Greg. We should only trade with other Indian Nations and not give any of our money to the outside world. They act like they do us a favor when we get jobs in their world. We should make our own businesses and forget anything they reluctantly give us. I too have visions of a greater nation that will come.
A bit of along comment here: a statement from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, sent out earlier today.
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Daily Briefing
June 3, 2009–10am
Yesterday at 6:30pm, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne held special meetings in the districts of Kawehnoke, Kanatakon and Tsi Snaihne to consult with community members on developments and continued efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to our community’s issues. As of 5pm on Monday, June 1st, the North Span was re-opened for Akwesasne residents due to negotiations between MCA District Chiefs and law enforcement agencies. The ability to resume crossing the North Span has helped alleviate some of the concerns of Kawehnoke residents and their access to groceries, medicines and other essential items.
Last night, community members in each of the three districts participated in special meetings that were well attended and discussed the need to open the North Span for all traffic. MCA is still gathering the results of that consultation. Until that time, the North Span continues to be open for Akwesasne residents only.
In response to some media coverage on the peaceful demonstration on Kawehnoke, the Mohawk Council would like reiterate the following information:
–The Three Nations Bridge Crossing was closed due to actions initiated by the Canadian Border Services Agency. CBSA Officers voluntary decided to leave the Canada Customs facility on Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, which resulted in policy being activated calling for the immediate closure of the bridge crossing. The South Span was closed and continues to be blocked to all traffic by the New York State Police and U.S. Customs Officers.
The North Span was closed by Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Cornwall Police. With the re-opening of the North Span Monday evening, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services has been stationed at the foot of the North Span to facilitate the flow of Akwesasne residents across the bridge. The restriction to local residents was a negotiated agreement that is being respected at the request of MCA’s Emergency Operations Center and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services. This is to address liability issues and keep the crossroad on Kawehnoke open and safe for local residents.
–Since first being notified of the arming initiative, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has expressed its opposition to CBSA Officers carrying firearms in the community of Akwesasne. MCA indicated that it was never consulted in which the Government of Canada is obligated to do, despite the Canada Customs facility being located in a residential district on the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. It is the only land-border crossing located in the middle of a First Nations territory—out of 119 land-border crossings managed by CBSA. It is situated at a major crossroad on Kawehnoke; which is the location of a bus stop where children gather, recreational fields and a play area, a large number of homes, a district convenience store, several small businesses and other typical features of a populated residential area. All of which, would be placed in harm’s way if CBSA agents begin carrying firearms.
Additionally, the majority of travelers that pass through this Port of Entry are Akwesasne residents. According to an August 2002 report co-commissioned by Transport Canada and reaffirmed by a recent socio-economic study, Akwesasne Mohawks account for nearly 70% of traffic that passes through the border facility. This includes Kawehnoke residents that use the border crossing several times each day on their way to work or school; to carry on daily business; to visit friends and family; or to attend the health, social, cultural or recreational facilities and events throughout Akwesasne–a community bisected in the middle by the international border.
For more than a year, an increasing number of Akwesasne community members have come forward with complaints against individual CBSA Officers. Those complaints have been filed with MCA’s Department of Justice and involve human rights violations, culminating in 2 cases being filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Those complaints remain unresolved and entail acts of racial profiling, acts of intimidation, harassment, and provocation by individual CBSA Officers that are seeking justification to carry firearms.
As well, Mohawk Security Officers share the same building with CBSA and provide assistance to border guards when requested. They approach any confrontations that may arise in a peaceful and respectful manner, and their presence is comforting to the 70% of border crossers that are Akwesasne residents. Additionally, armed officers of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services have a sub-station at this border crossing and regularly assist in maintaining the integrity and safety of everyone at this Port of Entry, including the safety of CBSA Officers.
–Even before CBSA Officers voluntarily decided to leave the border facility, this has always been and continues to be a peaceful demonstration of our community’s opposition to the arming initiative at the Port of Entry. It is not our intent to disrupt the flow of traffic or to place the safety of individual’s at risk. To that extent, the Mohawk Security Officers have been cleaning and maintaining the Customs facility since it was vacated by CBSA Officers.
–First Nations Leaders, organizations and, party leaders continue to contact the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and offer assistance and support.
NDP MP Brian Masse is urging the federal government to negotiate a resolution and insists that there’s no need to treat all border crossings be identically. He added that aboriginal communities should have “different types of arrangements” with Ottawa on many issues.
Hello.
I want to offer my support.
Can someone from the Native community contact me? I want a rep to post their account of this struggle on my discussion site. (Free promotion if you like.)
Please contact me at annadavich AT ymail DOT com.
Kind regards,
- Niki
1. The Mohawks are not indiginous to Ontario any more than the “white man” is. Actually, the white man resided in Ontaro first.
2. The Mohawks were refugess after the war of 1812. They were allowed to enter Canada and land was given to them by the British for thier loyalty in the war.
3. The Mohawks native land is in New York and Pensylvania. Not Canada.
The real culprits must be the Americans for forcing the Mohawks off of thier native land not Canada. Perhaps making a land claim and setting up some blockades on thier native lands would be more appropriate.
According to colonial mythology, yes. But in fact, going back to the 1600s and even further, Mohawk territory included southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec.
Then there’s Akwesasne itself. When was the community established? I don’t know the exact date myself but it was before the 1780s. I mean, the border wasn’t formed until 1783 and the community didn’t just pick up years later, only to voluntarily break themselves into two separate colonial jurisdictions. That’s also why the 1794 Jay treaty is an issue here.
Maybe dig a little more into the history.
Brad is correct. The land was Algoquin land not Mohawk which are Iroquios. All land belonged to someone else before at some time. When teasure hunter find a sunken ship full of gold in the Gulf of Mexico why does the Spainish government lay claim to it in the courts and often win, when really it was stolen from the Inca and Aztec. Why doesn’t ancestors of those native people sue the Spain government. My point is something always belonged to someone else before. How far do you want to go back?
FIRST – Akwesasne’s (or any First Nation’s) history are verbal teachings carried from generation to generation. Teachings . . because with every event comes a message, something learned, something cherished! What you read in your History books is the Whiteman’s Scrolls of Lies which only dipicts THEIR version of how history should be told.
SECONDLY – To understand First Nations people is to be able to walk in their shoes. We have walked in the White Man’s for many centeries, but yet they have not done the same. I don’t ask why – if I wanted bullshit . . . I’d buy a bull. It REALLY is that simple!
THIRDLY – Everyone claims to have some Indian Blood by way ancestral history, but the truth be known, ‘We are not Indians! Nor have we ever been!’ I’m sure every Tom, Dick and Greg has some beautiful Great Great Great Grandmother who was a Mohawk Princess or their Great Great Great Grandfather was a Warrior Chief! Which is great, but by all accounts in OUR history we have never had a princess! Chiefs and Warriors are two separate entities. Roles are far greater than sitting around a fire and passing the buck.
Thanks for commenting Akwesasnoron, I wanted to say something here but it slipped my mind.
Tom Call: did you know the Algonquins are Haudenosaunee descendants? The issue is raised on MNN and a few other places online.
In any case, I’m not rally talking about history from a philosophical standpoint, but history according to Canadian law and the standing relationship between Akwesasne (as part of the H. Confederacy) and the Federal Government of Canada.
Moving on, Is it really so difficult for Canada to show a measure of integrity for Akwesasne by consulting them and working with them to find a reasonable solution that works for everyone here? There have already been so many abuses by the officers in the past, and let’s not forget that this all taking place in a residential area. Is the government really so limited in its capacity to solve problems that it has leap to aggression and force before anything? I mean, what’s the big deal?