International Indigenous Cross Border Security Summit
Robert Holden, (President, National Congress of the American Indian), David V. Aguilar, (Chief, office of Border Patrol), Angela Wahienhawi Barnes (Grand Chief, Mohawk
Council of Akwesasne) Angus Toulouse (Regional Chief for Ontario representing Assembly of First Nations National Chief), James Ransom (Chief, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe),
Guy Lauzon (Member of Parilament, Stormont- Dundas- South Glengarry), Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell (Kawehnoke District Chief, Portfolio for Law and Security)
On March 17th and 18th, 2006, Akwesasne hosted the first ever International Indigenous Cross Border Security Summit at the NAV Canada Training Institute and Conference Centre in Cornwall, Ontario. Representatives from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, the Assembly of First Nations, the National Congress of American Indians, Representatives from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), as well as various Indigenous Nations affected by the US/Canada border, met with representatives from the US Department of Homeland Security and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.
Akwesasne’s extraordinary geographical location—bisected by the US/Canada border—was a natural venue to host a summit of this nature. The Mohawk community of Akwesasne has, for more than 200 years, been faced with the impositions of the international boundary on a daily basis. The tension and scrutiny at the border has been greatly heightened following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centers (WTC) in New York City. A false media report insinuated that terrorists who carried out the WTC attack had gained access to the US via Akwesasne. Even though that report was proven wrong, Akwesasne has worked to enhance its security measures and its commitment to the cooperative fight against terrorism and criminal smuggling activities.
Law Enforcement officers from the RCMP, Cornwall Police Service and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service attended the International Indigenous Border Security Summit.
The International Indigenous Cross Border Security summit was held to create a dialogue between Canada, the United States and Indigenous nations and to work on ways to improve the relationship between our nations. Its goal was also to present a clear understanding of Indigenous border crossing rights, and the impediments created by enhanced security requirements at the border. It was hoped that the Summit would assist in the creation of a deeper understanding among the US and Canadian Authorities, of the dynamics of Indigenous communities that share, cultural and linguistic ties across the US Canada border.
One of the key topics covered at the Summit was the need for all parties to understand Indigenous laws and the history of treaty relationships between our nations that have been in place for centuries with regards to border crossing rights.
Also among the subjects discussed was the importance of creating and implementing a secure Haudenosaunee border crossing identification card. to meet the requirements of the Western Hemishpere Travel Iniative (WHTI) legislation that will be in place by 2007-2009 Then WHTI initiative requires international travelers to present approved secure documentation in order to cross the border.
Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell (Kawehnoke District Chief, Portfolio for Law and Security) Oren Lyons (Onondaga Nation Representative, Haudenosaunee Confederacy), Robert Holden, (President, National Congress of the American Indian)
Haudenosaunee representatives including Tadadaho Sid Hill and Chief Oren Lyons of Onondaga addressed the issues of cultural sensitivity at border crossings and the on- going work to negotiate and create a new form of identification for the Haudenosaunee. The Indigenous leadership sees a need to create and implement a secure form of identification for the use of native people of all nations.
The summit was the successful start of open and honest dialogue geared toward coming to a common end, and the creation of a cooperative atmosphere in regards to border security. Future dialogue is needed to further the creation of an acceptable identification card that suits the needs of Indigenous populations as well as the interests of the US and Canada concerning this sensitive issue.
