The Akwesasne Mohawks have issued a statement blaming the Canadian government for the continued closure of the Three Nations Bridge, also known as the Massena-Cornwall Bridge.
The Mohawk statement says the tribe has been repeatedly rebuffed since March in its attempts to have talks with government officials on issues including the arming of Canadian Border Services Agency officers.
The statement also say it was the CBSA which decided to shut down the bridge on June 1st after its officers walked off the job at the Cornwall Island border station.
Following is the full statement issued Tuesday:
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release:
Ohiari:ha / June 9, 2009
Akwesasne Mohawks Propose Consultation to Resolve CBSA Dispute
AKWESASNE, ONTARIO — The Mohawk of Akwesasne stated today that it shares
the same goal as the neighboring communities of Cornwall and Massena to
re-open the Three Nations Bridge Crossing and has been patiently waiting
for the Canadian Government to put forth good-faith efforts to address the
situation at Akwesasne. The Canadian Border Service Agency’s decision to
close the bridge crossing has created unnecessary hardships to everyone in
the Akwesasne community, as well as in nearby communities. Akwesasne
leaders continue to seek a formal meeting with the Minister of Public
Safety Peter Van Loan and a peaceful resolution to Akwesasne’s issues,
including meaningful consultation.
The voluntary walk-out by CBSA border guards, which triggered an immediate
closure of the international crossing by the Seaway International Bridge
Corporation and United States Customs, has resulted into an economic
embargo that unfairly discriminates against the Mohawk people of
Akwesasne, but also detrimentally affects the good people of Cornwall and
Massena. Our three communities are closely connected and we support each
other’s economy.
Akwesasne has repeatedly reached out to the Canadian Government to open up
negotiations on the Customs issues - especially on the arming of Canada
Customs officers. Letters seeking a formal meeting were sent to previous
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day on March 3, 2008 and to Prime
Minister Stephen Harper on March 20, 2009, which was copied to current
Public Safety Minster Van Loan. There has been no formal response other
than acknowledging receipt of our letter nearly six months later.
The lack of response has been disappointing, to say the least, for even
the President of the Canadian Border Services Agency Stephen Rigby has
failed to call Akwesasne leaders to arrange formal discussions, despite a
promise he made on Thursday, May 28th to do so. Further to that, the
Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan has not offered to meet with the
Mohawk of Akwesasne, choosing instead to do political posturing and make
hard-line statements in the media that is proving to be detrimental to our
people throughout the region.
Akwesasne points to the UN Declaration on the Right the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples which lists consultation among its important
principles. Even though Canada is one of only three nations in the world
that still has NOT signed this international declaration, its citizens
would agree that this recognized document supports basic humanitarian
ideals. Article 19 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples says:
“States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous
peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order
to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and
implementing legislative and administrative measures that may affect
them.”
In the interest of all peoples, the Mohawk of Akwesasne urges the
Government of Canada to formally adopt this kind of respectful behavior
when dealing with its own First Nation peoples. It is time for Canada to
join the UN member-states and begin having meaningful consultation and
fair consideration of Mohawk rights. It’s disturbing that the federal
government chooses to not be a part of an international community that
already understands the need to consult with its Indigenous Peoples,
particularly on federal legislation that directly impacts them.
Given the negative attitude and abusive behavior that has persisted for
years by some individual Canada customs officers toward the people of
Akwesasne, the people of Akwesasne have a rightful reason to fear for our
own safety. In fact, the forced arming of Canada’s border agents upon the
Mohawk of Akwesasne can be seen as racist, morally condemnable and
socially unjust. It’s equivalent to putting salt on an open wound.
The Canadian Government needs to respond to our repeated requests to
address our issues and directly contact Akwesasne leaders. The federal
government needs to properly consult with the people of Akwesasne about
our past grievances against CBSA and give due consideration to the rights
of Mohawk people on our own land. They need to exempt our Mohawk community
from the arming initiative while proper consultation takes place.
The Mohawk of Akwesasne encourage supporters to help urge the Minister of
Public Safety to contact Akwesasne leadership and to have respectful and
meaningful consultation. Please contact:
Hon. Peter Van Loan
Minster of Public Security
Tel: (613) 996-7752
Fax: (613) 992-8351
Email: VanLoP@parl.gc.ca
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