Six weeks later, bridge reopens

After 42 days, the border crossing at Cornwall, Cornwall Island and Massena/Rooseveltown fully reopened to traffic Monday morning. However, many issues remain and the future of the border’s infrastructure, procedures and relationship with Akwesasne remains unknown.

The Canada Border Services Agency originally abandoned their Cornwall Island (Kawehno:ke) port of entry on May 31, 2009, claiming concerns for their safety. Akwesasne residents had been protesting the June 1, 2009 arming of border guards and while the protest had remained peaceful at all times, CBSA abandoned their building and local law enforcement went forward with closing down both bridges.

The RCMP and Akwesasne Mohawk Police blocked traffic in Cornwall from heading to Cornwall Island and the United States (Akwesasne traffic was still allowed through) and the New York State Police with assistance from the United States Customs and Border Protection blocked traffic in Massena/Rooseveltown from heading to Canada from the U.S. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass.

As the economies of all surrounding towns slowly felt a growing impact, pressure was put on a number of agencies, in particular CBSA, the Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan, and the CBSA’s union president Ron Moran. Moran has said that guards will not return to their Cornwall Island posts with or without guns, stating that several employees have received health warnings from their doctors regarding their working conditions.

After a month, no one seemed willing to budge on the issue. Akwesasne still demanded that no guards carry guns, as many of them have been accused of harassing and profiling Native Americans. CBSA also refused to back down, as they stated guards at all other ports will be armed and Cornwall Island will be no different.

While the issue has been between Akwesasne and CBSA, it was ironically actions of the United States that lead to the border’s reopening. Sources say state police were becoming increasingly unwilling to man the outgoing traffic at the border. Last week, state police and U.S. Customs agents began allowing some traffic through to Canada, warning them that by entering Canada without reporting to Canada Customs was a violation of Canadian law. Dozens of cars were allowed to pass through on July 8 before the port director at U.S. Customs put a stop to it pending his phone conversations with Washington officials.

However, the actions of the police and U.S. Customs agents sent a message loud and clear to Government Canada and CBSA, and so within days CBSA was forced to put together an impromptu temporary border checkpoint in the city of Cornwall at the foot of the north span bridge. CBSA guards are standing amid cement blocks and traffic cones, writing down traveler information on clipboards and awaiting the arrival of a portable Customs building from British Columbia.

Full cross-border traffic has been allowed to pass through since Monday, July 13 at 6 a.m. and while those who rely on travel through that border are relieved, politicians and community leaders are far from satisfied.

“The opening of a temporary facility over the weekend was a hasty decision made by the CBSA,” said MCA Grand Chief Mike Mitchell. “It was made in response to the increasing number of travelers being allowed to cross from the United States into Canada and news that the New York State Police were being pulled from the South Span ... Their counterparts in Washington also voiced concern at a meeting last week that CBSA has not found a solution. While we’re glad to see a temporary facility open, we want to remind everyone that there are some outstanding issues that need to be addressed.”

Those issues include the long-term plan for the Canada port of entry and the unresolved issues of harassment by CBSA.

“The MCA is viewing this temporary arrangement as a trial phase to determine how our people will be treated by the customs officers,” MCA said. “During the previous two meetings (with CBSA), the MCA stressed the importance of having a liaison person be appointed to ensure effective communication channels are open and utilized at all times between the Akwesasne community and the CBSA. The MCA views this as an opportunity for both sides to develop a better relationship.”

Opening of the port in Cornwall means Akwesasne residents no longer have an “Indian Lane.” However, the Remission Order is still being honored.

MCA reminded community members this week that the border guards in Cornwall are armed and CBSA reiterated their pro-gun position this week in a statement.

“At this time the existing CBSA facility on Cornwall Island remains closed,” they stated. “The CBSA will only reopen its facility when border services officers can work there safely with all of the tools they need to do their job, including their duty firearm. The CBSA is committed to continuing talks with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in order to resolve the situation.”

CBSA stated on their website that travelers entering Canada from the United States who wish to stop at Cornwall Island must first report to the temporary checkpoint in Cornwall. However, no signage or Customs agents are on Cornwall Island enforcing the appropriate flow of traffic, and no action has been taken against Akwesasne residents turning off of International Road to head west or east on the island. Most local residents have treated the situation identically to the situation of St. Regis (Kana:takon) and Snye (Tsi Snaihne) in which free cross border travel is permitted to Akwesasne residents due in part to the unique geographical makeup of the territory.

MCA did not respond to requests for clarification or advisement.