How a Pandemic Has Changed Akwesasne

By: Jaclyn Hall

The Kanieńkehá:ka Nation has been known throughout history as a fierce and strong nation. To any outsider looking in, this may seem true. But for those of us who are living inside the “boundaries” of Akwesasne, we see and feel differently.

As much as we would like to keep things positive during this stressful and uncertain time, there is an issue that has arisen in Akwesasne and it needs to be addressed. We are now in our 5th week of a multinational shutdown. So, how has this multinational shutdown affected Akwesasne, a multinational and multijurisdictional location?

One huge elephant in the room has become the international border which runs through our territory. When the State of Emergency was declared and both the U.S and Canadian Customs closed their borders to non-essential travelers, Akwesasronon were told that this closure would not impede on our right to travel freely through our territory. Well, that was a lie.

On multiple occasions, Akwesasronon living on Kawehno:ke have been subject to threats of deportation and questioning by immigration, on top of the already existing tensions. Some of these interactions have been documented, while others go unnoticed. It appears these Customs agents are taking advantage of this State of Emergency, and government mandated isolation.

With each passing week, and each new restriction announced in Akwesasne (Fire ban, curfew, travel restrictions, Park closures, border curfews) it begins to desensitize our people to the emerging authoritarian government. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary states the definition of Authoritarian: of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authority).

All the while, our inherent rights as Kaniehkehaka people are being stripped away one trip at a time. Anytime residents of Akwesasne need groceries, for example, they are forced to leave the boundaries of Akwesasne to access their essential needs. With the increasing exchange rates, many Akwesasronon are forced to travel across the International border through CBSA.

Now, here is where the issue lies; if any Akwesasronon pulls up to the CBSA customs agent without an INAC card, depending on the agent and whether they recognize you, they will either threaten to send you into immigration and deport you back to the U.S. or they will let you off with a warning. I have heard personal accounts of Kawehno:ke residents going through with the Red card and being told to go into immigration. I was told of one person’s experience when they were travelling home to Kawehno:ke and the CBSA officer told this person they could not go back home, that they had to go back to the states. Now, this person no longer goes through CBSA because they are unsure of what will happen to them.

I have personally been told by CBSA Officer Piquet, when travelling through with a Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal I.D, people have been turned around and sent back even if it was for groceries. He went on to say something to the effect, that we are being “forced” to have INAC cards if we want to travel in Canada. They need to be able to tell if we have a record, and they cannot do that with the Tribal I.D. He then threatened to send me into immigration, myself and my 5 children, but said he wouldn’t this time because he’s seen me before. I’d better have my INAC card next time.

I know there are plenty more people in Akwesasne who have been threatened by CBSA. So, I took it upon myself to ask one of the U.S. customs agents whether they accept “Red cards” or not. The agent stated, “As long as you’re native, we’ll let you through.” Surprisingly, the U.S is much more relaxed, when it comes to accepting our inherent rights to travel freely though our territory. So, why are we receiving such harsh treatment from Canada?

I reached out to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Facebook page, and asked “Have you spoke to CBSA about the fact that not all Akwesasronon carry INAC cards? People who live on Kawehno:ke do not all carry INAC cards, have you discussed how an instance like this should be handled?”

MCA Facebook page responds, “Shekon, Ms. Hall – The Customs and Border Security Agency has listed its acceptable form of identification for travel on its website http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html since 2010. The MCA has been in continuous engagement with the CBSA prior to and during the COVID-19 State of Emergency and will continue to advocate for and update the community of Akwesasne. Other forms of identification, such as SRMT and MNCC cards are subject to be discussed with their respective issuers.”

So, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne will only help members of MCA. If we want help for the red cards, we need to reach out to the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs. If we want help with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal cards, we need to reach out the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. One could ask, why haven’t the two “issuers” addressed this issue yet? They cannot say they are unaware of the treatment of Akwesasronon travelling through CBSA. Maybe they are led to believe that they are powerless to change anything because of the location where CBSA sits.

If that’s the case, let me remind you, CBSA is located on our territory still to this day. The North Shore Claim will be brought to a “referendum” if MCA is successful, but that does not mean the land on the North Shore is not ours until then. We do not need to wait for Canada to say “yes, you’re right, that is your land.” The way CBSA is conducting themselves on our territory, is unconstitutional, yet no one with influence has spoken up.

As a Kaniehkehaka woman and mother first, and reporter second, its concerns me to see these events unfold in front of my eyes. As an essential worker, I feel it is essential to share factual information and allow you to make up your own mind on the matter. None of us know when this State of Emergency will end, we can only stay informed and aware. Do not allow the fear-based media to be your only news source, pay attention to your local news and what is going on in your home community. You may be surprised to learn about what is going on in your backyard.