Mohawk Nation outraged by CBSA attack on human rights

For Immediate Release

Akwesasne Mohawk Territory ­ Seskehko:wa/September 23, 2009

The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, Clanmothers, Faithkeepers, and people offer thanksgiving and extend the arm of peace. On September 18th, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) executed its threat to seize vehicles and fine those Akwesasro:non who fail to report to the temporary customs post in Cornwall after traveling from the southern portion of Akwesasne back to Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island).

As the national government of the Kanien:keha:ka (Mohawk) people, it is the position of the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs that the community of Akwesasne is a unified territory that is neither a part of Canada or the United States; remaining sovereign and free. This unprovoked and insensitive act by the CBSA is another demonstration that the Government of Canada has no intention to resolve this serious

issue in good faith. This petty gesture of bravado will no doubt agitate the already tattered relationship between Canada and the Mohawk Nation ­ultimately bringing our two people closer to peace and friendship.

The Mohawk Nation council of Chiefs views this intimidation tactic as a violation of not only our sovereignty, but our basic human rights as

Indigenous Peoples. Specifically, the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs

charges the Government of Canada with violating clear and defined sections of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007. These rights includes, but are not limited to:

Article 26

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and

resources, which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise usedor acquired.

Article 33

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own identity or membership in accordance with their customs and traditions

Article 36

1. Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international

borders,have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and

cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders.

2. States, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, shall take effective measures to facilitate the exercise and ensure the

implementation of this right.

The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, with the support of the Haudenosaunee Six Nations Confederacy, calls upon the Government of Canada to make a real and sincere effort to discuss a political solution to this dangerous issue before it escalates. Thus far, all attempts by the Mohawk Nation to initiate a discussion on the border crossing issue have been rejected or ignored by the CBSA and Immigration Canada.

The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs shall remain ever vigilant in the

protection of its people and in the defense of its territory. Should any Haudenosaunee citizen be the target of human rights abuses at the CBSA port in Cornwall, please contact the Mohawk Nation Office at 518-358-3381 to report the incident.

In resolute perseverance,

Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs

Haudenosaunee Six Nations Confederacy