US Ambassador David H. Wilkins Visits Akwesasne
Grand Chief Tim Thompson and US Ambassador David H. Wilkins
The Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Tim Thompson met with the US Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins on August 22nd 2006 in Akwesasne. Ambassador Wilkins holds the portfolio for US homeland security. Chief Thompson gave Ambassador Wilkins a comprehensive tour of Akwesasne, with stops at Akwesasne community facilities, including the Kanatakon Recreation Centre, the Kanonhkwat’sheri:io Health Care Facility and the new water treatment plant at Kawehnoke. During the visit Chief Thompson emphasized the unique situation that Akwesasne faces because of the US-Canada border which dissects our ancient community.
Ambassador Wilkins was treated to a special luncheon in his honour at the Kanatakon Recreation Center where he met with Elders, youth and members of the Akwesasne community along with numerous dignitaries from surrounding communities who were invited to this special event.
Grand Chief Thompson opened by saying, “ I am sure that you have noticed the incredible work that this community has accomplished in building infrastructure, institutions, and good government, that will ultimately protect and support our society, culture, economy, health, and well-being.
Grand Chief Tim Thompson, Eric Couture Assistant to the US Ambassador, and Akwesasne Mohawk Police
We are an ancient community which predates the formation of the United States and Canada and throughout history Akwesasne has demonstrated its ability to be a good neighbour and ally to both the U.S. and Canada.
A full military Honour Guard composed of Akwesasne Men who served in the U.S. military were present to greet the Ambassador. In his address to the US Ambassador, Chief Thompson elaborated on the fact that many Akwesasne men and women have served in the US military, in all of its conflicts from the US Civil War, up to the present “War on Terrorism”. He went on to explain that the high representation in the US and Canadian military stems from the fact that the Mohawk people have a deep history on this land.
The Grand Chief observed that,“You might ask why we are so highly represented in the military service of the United States or Canada. That is because we are the ones that have the longest time invested in this land. This is where we have lived for millennia. The safety and security of our people is paramount in our thinking and the ability of our people to live in peace, is one of the greatest principles among the Haudenosaunee, and the Mohawk people of Akwesasne.”
Chief Thompson reminded Ambassador Wilkins that after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Akwesasne community members were among the first to help in the recovery and rescue operation at the World Trade Centre, and that the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne provided a load of protective equipment, water, and supplies to people of New York City in the wake of the attacks.
Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service with RCMP and SRMT Police
Thompson said, “The terrorism committed against the American people, brought your Akwesasne allies to your side. Our Mohawk iron workers, who took great pride in building the World Trade Centre, and many other high rise buildings and bridges in New York City, were among the first to lend a hand in the rescue and recovery process, after the building had fallen under terrorism and so many lives were lost. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne sent a truckload of protective face masks and a truck load of water - and community members sent loads of essential goods to the people of New York City.”
Thompson lamented, “Some say that the September 11th attacks on America have changed us forever. The threat of terrorism is now at the forefront of our thinking and our planning. Just as Canada and the U. S have engaged their citizens to be on guard against terrorism in this day and age, the Mohawks of Akwesasne have also engaged Akwesasne community support in this cause. That cooperation comes because of our community’s commitment to peace.
Furthermore, Chief Thompson affirmed that the Akwesasne Mohawks remain vigilant against terrorism, despite Canadian and American media reports claiming that the Akwesasne portion of the border is an exposed weak point. Chief Thompson emphasized that Akwesasne has been, and will continue to be, a strategic partner fighting terrorism.
He said, “Canadian and American news papers and media have implied that the border at Akwesasne makes them vulnerable. We say that it is not vulnerable, when you have the support of the people of Akwesasne, working for a common purpose, which is the safety and security of all our nations. Akwesasne is a partner in the security strategies against terrorism.”
Akwesasne Veterans form Honor Guard to greet Ambassador Wilkins
Grand Chief Thompson presented some recent historical examples of Akwesasne’s pledge to protect its community against terrorism.
He reminded us that, “In April 2001, the Summit of the Americas, which brought world leadership together for a meeting in Montreal, also brought protesters from the United States hoping to use the Akwesasne border crossing as a stage for their political “Day of Rage”. Akwesasne police services with the assistance of other aboriginal and external agencies protected this border crossing and the people of Akwesasne from any potential acts of terrorism.
The Grand Chief provided other examples of Akwesasne’s commitment: “The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services are part of the Joint Investigative Team created in 2001, through a mutual agreement with Canadian and American authorities. Our police officers work with specialized units such as the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), which is composed of US and Canadian border enforcement agencies including RCMP, Canadian Border Security Agency, the US Customs Border Protection, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as the Combined forces Special Enforcement Unit and the Proceeds of Crime section of the RCMP.
Most recently, Akwesasne held the Indigenous Border Security Summit in March of 2006, which brought American and Canadian agencies together to discuss safety and security of the US Akwesasne- Canada border with Akwesasne as a partner. We worry however, that community support would dwindle drastically, if our people are treated disrespectfully or as suspects, every time they come through the border.
In his address, Chief Thompson described how the delays at the US port of entry affect the quality of life for community members on a daily basis. Chief Thompson detailed how Akwesasne remains a single community, culture and people despite the US-Canada border. He said, “The Mohawk people of Akwesasne cross the US border on a daily basis. A 2002 study paid for by Transport Canada, called “the International Bridge and Three Nations Bridge Crossing Travel and Toll Impact Study”, by Earth Tech Canada Inc., studied the impact of tolls on the people of Akwesasne at this international crossing. It confirms that we are, in fact, 70% of the users of this international crossing. We are not the terrorists. We love this land and our neighbours.
Akwesasne Honor Guard (L-R), Daniel George, Bruce Jackson, Carl Cook, Arnold Jock, Barney Rourke
The geographical location of our community necessitates our travel through the US Customs port in order to maintain the cohesiveness of our home community. We utilize this border crossing to access services, react to emergency situations, carry on community and personal business, go to school and work, participate in social and cultural events, care for our health and maintain relationships within our community.
This means that our people travel within the several districts of our community, sometimes crossing the US border several times a day. Yet, we are not considered the “common every day traveler”. We travel across the US border because it is the only on-land travel route to connect the several districts of Akwesasne.
You can imagine the impact delays in traffic have on us. Ambulance technicians, police officers, conservation officers, fire personnel, emergency personnel and volunteer emergency personnel all wait in long lines up to an hour. Almost 800 children from head start to high school are on school buses crossing every day. Already, delays at customs have affected our ability to get our children to school on time and we have great concerns for the success of our after-school activities. We are also worried that these border delays or red tape at the borders will discourage good teachers from applying to work at our schools. And, we now worry about the cost of the impending passport requirement for our children and Elders. Already our food service to the schools and to our Elders’ facility has been disrupted and suppliers are reluctant to cross the border to service our schools, day care and Elders’ care facility.
Our ambulance made about 1400 runs last year, and we estimate that they crossed the border sometimes 4 – 6 times a day. Any delays have a negative impact on how service is delivered to our people.
There are many elderly and sick people from Akwesasne, who must travel between districts and back from Cornwall, for intensive medical treatment, sometimes daily and others several times a week. They face long lines to return home (some reports have been from 25 minutes up to an hour ) and we know this has a serious impact on their health and well-being.
Doctors and dentists have been delayed, causing disruptions in our medical care and clinics; Nurses, home health care and home support workers for the sick and elderly are delayed and medical appointments are disrupted, Oxygen patients have to go to Cornwall to get their own supplies because the companies no longer care to deliver to Akwesasne; This is the same case with numerous medical equipment suppliers; Clients having nuclear scans have been delayed at customs and have had to wait outside the customs building, sometimes in winter, because they are not allowed in the building; One Akwesasne man had a heart attack while waiting in the long line with no way to get help – and numerous other emergency situations have occurred due to these long lines.
The MCA Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and the SRMT police work together with external law enforcement agencies to insure the safety of the north country and this border region.
The effects of traffic delays are felt all around. We have not yet begun to evaluate the economic impact of these long waits on our economy and our institutions, but the lost services, increased delivery costs, and wait times, are causing serious disruptions to essential life and death services within our community.
Chief Thompson provided some suggestions to alleviate some of the current problems. He suggested the implementation of a protocol for Akwesasne emergency and security vehicles, Akwesasne personnel at the US port of entry, as well as the positioning of an emergency medical technician at US Customs and the installation of emergency call boxes on the bridge. Furthermore he suggested the creation of commuter lane for Akwesasne residents, as well as the implementation of Haudenosaunee border crossing identity card.
Thompson remarked that Congressional leaders had cancelled an August 25,2006 “northern border security and immigration hearing”, planned in Glens Falls, New York, and emphasized how important it is for the United States to hear testimony about how any changes in border laws and security can seriously and negatively impact on the people of Akwesasne. Chief Thompson emphasized his wish to testify at any upcoming House Judiciary Committee hearings about issues that affect our ability to cross the border.
Thompson said, that the ability of Akwesasne to remain a single community is one of its greatest triumphs.
He said, “We are the people of this land. Even though our community is separated by the US-Canada border, one of our greatest achievements hasmunity”. This is not an easy task. I also acknowledge the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council governments’ for their continuing commitment to maintaining the integrity of our community. It is the cooperation of the three Mohawk Councils at Akwesasne that have insured the survival of our people, our community, and our culture. Its been our ability to maintain Akwesasne as “one people” and “one community”.
