Update 6/2: David Trout Staddon, spokesman for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, disagrees with our characterization of the Mohawks as "seizing" the bridge. " I don’t think that is or was the case. The Bridge Authority shut down the bridge late Sunday night in response to the CBSA guards leaving their posts. The protestors had no intent to 'seize' the bridge, or even block traffic, nor are they 'in possession' of the bridge. Law enforcement authorities are in possession of the bridge," Staddon wrote. Mohawk Indians say they will need dialogue with the Canadian government before releasing the Massena-Cornwall International Bridge, which they seized early Monday morning.
"Establishing a meaningful dialogue between the Akwesasne community and the Canadian government is going to be a key part of resolving the situation," said James Ransom, a Chief with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
On June 1st, the Canadian government began arming its border guards, an action protested by the Mohawks.
The Massena-Cornwall bridge includes a hop onto Cornwall Island, Mohawk Indian territory.
About midnight, Canadian Customs vacated its offices on Cornwall Island and Akwesasne Police secured the building.
A tent encampment of about 200 Mohawks now encircles the customs facility, Chief Ransom said.
While the Mohawks want the weapons issue resolved in their favor, there are other issues with Canadian border officers that need resolving, said Tribal Chief Monica Jacobs.
"There have been a variety of problems between guards and tribal members," Chief Jacobs said.
The militant group, the Warriors Society made an appearance at the scene but agreed with tribal officials that the action needed to be peaceful.
Chief Ransom said the three Mohawk governments - The Akwesasne Mohawks, Mohawk Council of Chiefs and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe - are working cooperatively on the action.
At the foot of the U.S. span, New York State Police and U.S. Customs officials are diverting traffic.
Mohawk Chief Barbara Lazore said that the Mohawks are the ones most affected by the bridge's closure, although she noted that Mohawk emergency vehicles are being allowed through.
