Support continues for protestors despite ripple effect

Despite the toll that a partial border closure has taken on Akwesasne and its community members, support is still strong for the protestors and their efforts to stop Canada Border Services Agency from arming their Customs guards on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island).

The Three Nations Bridge Crossing has been partially closed since Sunday, when border guards abandoned their Kawehno:ke port of entry in response to the Mohawks’ peaceful protest.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs have continued to support the efforts of MCA and the protestors and the three councils have met regularly throughout to discuss the issue. MCA Grand Chief Thompson told reporters that Akwesasne is “one community.”

SRMT Tribal Chief James Ransom said, “We are supporting the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in their efforts to get their concerns addressed… We support a peaceful resolution of the situation. It is important that peace be maintained.”

Chief Ransom said that while the SRMT has not taken a position specifically on the arming of border guards (he said that is a position residents of Kawehno:ke need to take), the SRMT is in opposition to the events leading up to June 1.

“We have taken a position on the harassment of Mohawks crossing the border and we are opposed to any racial profiling or mistreatment of Mohawks crossing the border,” Chief Ransom said. “We are willing to help MCA address that issue.”

One of the arguments made by protestors is that since the port is located on First Nations territory, Akwesasne should have been consulted and been the ultimate decision-maker in whether or not guns were present there. Chief Ransom said the SRMT supports that argument.

“We believe the Canadian government has not properly consulted the Mohawk community of Akwesasne in their decision making to arm the CBSA officers,” Chief Ransom said. “That was wrong to do and a major reason that the situation has escalated to what it is.”

The effects of the bridge closures trickles down through virtually all aspects of Akwesasne life, from transportation to work and school to customers for local businesses.

However, some see the issue as being an important one for Akwesasne.

“I look at it as I paid $250 for my son to practice and play lacrosse at the (A’nowara’kowa) Arena and he can’t play now,” said Laura Thompson. “But to me, the border issue is more important than lacrosse.”

Many customers to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and Mohawk Bingo Palace are Canadian, and Tribal Chief Barbara Lazore said the impact of the border closure will be felt there.

“We are feeling the financial impacts not only on our Casino and the Bingo Palace, but also on the Tribe,” she said. “We (also) have many employees from Cornwall Island that are finding it difficult to travel to work. As I would imagine some of the private businesses are also feeling the same impact.”

Chief Ransom added, “The financial impacts on the casino and Bingo Palace are secondary concerns at this point.  There is some financial impact but it is minimal at this point.”

Community members have stepped forward to assist in countless ways. A tent was set up on June 1st at the Burgers and Fries chip stand on the southern portion of Akwesasne. Collections of food, water and firewood, as well as cash, were accepted there and then taken by boat to Cornwall Island.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino provided hundreds of sandwiches to the protestors and the First Americans IGA donated water.

Neighbors have offered their docks, boats and vehicles to others and the spirit of helping and sharing was noticed throughout the territory.

MCA has also established an Emergency Operations Center on Kawehno:ke at the CIA #3 building (across from the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School.)