How A Pandemic Changed Akwesasne

By: Jaclyn Hall

As multiple provinces and states begin reopening sectors of the economy, Akwesasronon wonder if the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will follow suit?

Although the reopening of Ontario, Quebec and New York State all have their different approaches, how will Akwesasronon decide on the best course of action to take? Will we work as one Akwesasne or will we allow MCA and SRMT to separately follow the provincial and state guidelines? Since the beginning of the State of Emergency being declared by Canada and the United States, Akwesasne's elected councils were quick to work together in response to the ongoing pandemic. With one of the first joint safety measures announced, being the travel restrictions outside of a 50-mile radius, which also encompasses NYS, Quebec and Ontario.

Later, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe announced a curfew being implemented on the southern portion of Akwesasne. Mohawk Council of Akwesasne followed suit shortly after when they announced the Curfew Law on the northern portion in Akwesasne. A community wide fire ban was also implemented by both elected councils on the southern and northern portion simultaneously.

Although, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe seem to be on the same page when it comes to public safety on the territory; one obvious difference when we travel throughout the territory, is where we are required to wear face masks out in public. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe made it mandatory to wear face masks on the southern portion of Akwesasne when out in public. Meanwhile Mohawk Council of Akwesasne did not deem wearing face masks as a mandatory safety measure.

"The MCA has a clear directive that medical masks should only be worn by health care professionals and non-medical masks can be worn by individuals if it makes them feel more protected and secure when going out in public. The most effective way to stop the spread of infection is to maintain a two meter or six foot physical distance from each other, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with sixty percent alcohol content for twenty seconds and practice good respiratory hygiene- like sneezing into your sleeve at the elbow and covering your cough with tissues," read a statement from Mohawk Council of Akwesasne's EOC.

With that being said, Akwesasronon have taken it upon themselves to wear face coverings no matter what part of the territory they are on.

Some view the numerous safety measures as restrictive and invasive at times, especially when Akwesasronon are being sent into immigration at the CBSA- Cornwall Port of Entry for not carrying a Canadian issued INAC card, which is an on-going issue. One could question why MCA and SRMT did not work together on this issue ahead of time. Akwesasronon who cross with a SRMT issued Tribal card at CBSA, have been turned around at the port of entry and told to go back to the U.S. side. Akwesasronon who present red cards, or Haudenosaunee passports, are often disrespected and sent into immigration and told to go back to the U.S. side. The only people who have been given the privilege of our treaty rights to travel freely during this pandemic are the people who hold INAC status cards issued by Canada. For over two months, no joint press release or any form of support was given to Akwesasronon who do not hold INAC status cards.

So, now that we seem to have made it over the hump, restrictions are being slowly lifted across the state and provinces which straddle Akwesasne. While the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council announced their cautious approach to reopening sectors of the local economy, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has yet to announce any set date on reopening but have begun the development phase to safely reopen services within the organization.

With the reopening of organizations and local economy within the boundaries of Akwesasne, employees will no longer be required to work from home. This is where it can get tricky for Akwesasronon travelling across the border for work if they do not hold an INAC card. Right now, as it stands, the international border will remain closed to non-essential travel for the foreseeable future; how will this affect Akwesasronon returning to work? What Akwesasne deems essential may not be in alignment with what Canada and the United states deem essential.

Although restrictions are being lifted throughout the different jurisdictions, the idea of one Akwesasne should remain. It took a pandemic to finally reach the point of working together, let's not take it for granted, how far we have come. MCA and SRMT have shown that they are fully capable of working together for a common cause. Now, it is up to the people of Akwesasne to show just cause in areas that could use the support of both elected councils going forward.

As people ease back into the new normal, the transition of working from home to working in the office will be an adjustment for many young families who have school aged children. We must keep in mind every aspect that comes with the reopening of our economy. Many will be required to travel to and from work, while many will be required to find childcare; we want to make this transition as smooth as possible for Akwesasronon. The input of the people and accountability of both elected councils will be required for this re-opening phase to go smoothly.