Akwesanse Update

A Report from the International Bridge Closure at Akwesasne > > ©by Doug George-Kanentiio > > > It is quiet on the Mohawk Nation Territory at Akwesasne. On June 1 > agents of the Canadian Customs walked away from their posts at the > facility located on the Kawehnoke (Cornwall Island) section of > Akwesasne. The Americans responded by closing their facility across the > St. Lawrence River to any north bound traffic. The Mohawks reacted by > securing the building and its grounds. A camp was set up next to the > customs complex and a flotilla of boats set in motion to carry the > Mohawks across the river. Although there were tensions the first few > days the situation is stable, peaceful. > > The Canadian Customs officials ordered their workers off the job > because of a dispute over arming their officers. The Mohawk Council of > Akwesasne, supported by the Mohawk Nation Council, informed Canada the > Mohawk people were opposed to the arming of the agents and said a June > deadline for binging the Canadian weapons to Mohawk territory would not > be acknowledged. There were no threats, no acts of violence and no > plans by any legitimate Mohawk council to disrupt traffic or confront > the Customs personnel. > > But the Customs officials maintained there was a real danger to its > staff and pulled them out of Akwesasne. The response by the Mohawk > people, after the initial surprise at this radical action, was to > organize an encampment, protect > the facility and engage in negotiations > to resolve this problem. Canada Customs officials have shown a > reluctance to go to Akwesasne and meet with the people, electing to > believe discounted reports of threats to their security. The Mohawk > Nation Council has lent its diplomatic and spiritual skills, effecting > a remarkable unity among the often factionalized Akwesasne people. > Those at the camp are disciplined and determined; they will not > compromise on the arming issue since it means the likelihood the > weapons will be used against Natives. > > As of June 16 there have been no serious discussions from the Canadian > authorities. The Mohawks have sent delegations to Ottawa without > success. Meanwhile, the St. Lawrence-or more properly the > Kaniatarowanenneh (Big River)-is being crisscrossed by boats ferrying > people to their homes and businesses. Plans are now in the works to > find an alternative to driving across the bridges, the traffic of which > has become a real headache because of the increased US security > measures at the border. > > The Mohawks are aware that both Canada and the US are on high alert and > ready to use their massive police/military powers against the community > if given cause. Accurate, non-inflammatory information coming directly > from the Mohawk Nation is necessary before any individual or group > becomes involved. The Mohawk Nation may be called at 518-358-3381 or > via e-mail: Mohawkna@westelcom.com. This situation > may well last for much of the summer.