Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

Cornwall Standard-Freeholder

January 6, 2012

Over the past few months, there have been statements made by the leadership in Cornwall about not being consulted on the potential move of Canada Customs to an area adjacent to the U.S. Port-of-Entry in Massena, New York, which they claim may have a disastrous effect on the region.  They state that should this relocation occur it would open wide the route to contraband smugglers coming from the Akwesasne community. These are reckless and irresponsible statements that paint Akwesasne with one brush to give the impression that our Mohawk population is a criminal community.

It is a sad reality that there is some illicit border activity that occurs in Akwesasne, as there also is all along the international border stretching across the country, but more attention is given to our community because our people live on both sides of the border. It is a fact, however, that Akwesasne residents are living in a geographical and jurisdictional nightmare that our community has never consented to live under.

Canada’s target concern in regards to smuggling is about contraband cigarettes, which is a potential loss of tax revenue by not being able to regulate it. In response, one part of our proposed solution is to legalize the tobacco industry in Akwesasne and use the revenue to address non-funded programs needed in the community, such as a detox treatment center and other forms of health care. We should also be developing career opportunities for our youth coming home after finishing college or university. On the question of contraband, we should stress that it is other forms of international smuggling that are of greater concern to us—those being drugs, guns and illegal aliens, which we don’t hear much about in the media or from the government.

The ‘big elephant’ in the room that nobody acknowledges is that there are non-Native people involved in the smuggling trade—including neighboring residents from across the river and more down towards Montreal. Neighboring residents are included in police blotters and arrests made by the Cornwall Regional Task Force and other joint investigations. As a result, it is apparent that smuggling has been an ongoing activity for many Native and non-Natives, but it’s easy to deflect any notion of criminal wrongdoing by pointing the finger at your Mohawk neighbors.  The fact is that many individuals throughout the region have been unable to find meaningful employment or career opportunities.

For years, Akwesasne has had to endure the negative image that others have perpetuated about us, yet in spite of the negative publicity our community continues to exercise good judgment in providing law and order for our residents. And, our peacekeepers in Akwesasne will continue to work in partnership with external policing agencies to prevent criminal organizations from taking advantage of our multi-jurisdictional community.

To voice the concerns of our community, Akwesasne leadership (Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs) has met with senior-level officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to discuss border issues that directly impact us. Our discussions included proposed border-related measures that might be of benefit to the Akwesasne community. As a result, Homeland Security has assured us that proper consultation will be done with the Mohawks of Akwesasne before any decision is made on possibly moving the CBSA to the United States.  We are also engaged in discussions with them on the development of proper border identification card for the Mohawks of Akwesasne, which will address our need to cross the border to travel within and outside of our community.  On the Canadian side, we have been completely ignored in discussions about a possible relocation of the CBSA.  Would it not have been better if all parties concerned were at the table talking about a solution?

Canadian politicians have not been very helpful in their comments about Akwesasne, other than to criminalize the community in the media.  Akwesasne has suffered greatly when CBSA voluntarily left their island post just minutes before midnight on May 31, 2009.  The unreasonable reporting requirement and vehicle seizures that they have imposed since then has not helped us to resolve our differences. It was our local MP whom chooses not to consult with Akwesasne and whom initiated the recent discussion on the possibility of moving CBSA to the States. He was in attendance, as well as Cornwall and Massena leaders, at an April 9, 2010 meeting in Massena, New York with U.S. Congressman Bill Owens where relocation plans were initially proposed. Akwesasne, which according to CBSA accounts for nearly 80 percent of travelers that utilize this border crossing, was not invited.

What is not being taken into consideration by leadership from Cornwall is that hardworking families in Akwesasne contribute greatly to the city’s economy--something that the business community in Cornwall has always enjoyed. Therefore, I encourage the business community to caution their leaders to be mindful of their statements and the impact it may have on their businesses, as our people are getting really pissed off at the negative comments and opinions begin made about Akwesasne. It’s no secret that the recent statements have greatly alarmed Akwesasne residents and have generated discussions on possibly boycotting Cornwall—an option that we should not be forced to entertain. Our peoples have too much at stake to risk going down the road of negativity. We have enjoyed centuries of friendship and support between our two communities.

As leaders, one must explore all options to turn around a negative economy and seek a lasting and positive one. They will find that Akwesasne leadership has been meeting with provincial and federal leaders to address this matter and develop a plan to correct the negative perception that has been generated. These plans include long-term economic development initiatives that will provide positive employment for our people, with continued spin-off effects for the business community of Cornwall.

So, as we embark on a new year, I ask MP Guy Lauzon and other leaders to put their animosity aside and to work in partnership with us, as others are from various provincial ministries, to create an Akwesasne economy that will benefit the region.

With that, we wish our neighbors peaceful coexistence and a prosperous New Year.

Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne