Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Office Of The Grand Chief
March 20, 2009
Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa
KIAOA2
Wa'tkwanonhwera:ton/Greetings:
In August of 2006, you announced the Canadian Government's plan to improve border security across Canada. This plan included a commitment of $101 million and the intention to arm the Canada Border Security Agency [CBSA] officers to demonstrate the Canadian Government's belief in secure, efficient borders. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne [MCA] was informed on March 6, 2009 that Canada intends on arming the Customs Officers at the Kawehnoke Port of Entry as of June 1, 2009.
Akwesasne shares the belief in secure, efficient borders but absolutely opposes the arming of CBSA officers at the Kawehnoke Port of Entry, as this would have a number of negative consequences. In response, the Council ratified Mohawk Council Resolution [MCR] 2007/2008 - #318 as formal documentation of our decision to condemn the arming of CBSA officers and further placed a ban on the carrying of firearms within our corridor. MCA cannot and will not allow firearms to be carried by CBSA officers on the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne.
In March of 2008, MCA sent a letter to The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, demanding to meet with regard to the issue of the arming of CBSA officers. The Kawehnoke Port of Entry is the only Canadian Customs port of entry located on a First Nations Territory. This particular port is located in a residential area within the Territory of Akwesasne. The relationship between CBSA and MCA that has evolved over time has enabled CBSA to utilize the protection services provided by the Mohawk Security Officers. This partnership has produced a safe working environment and border crossing, without the use of guns, for more than twenty-five years. Arming of the Customs Officers will surely weaken the connection between CBSA and the Akwesasne community and risks irreparable damage to our relationship. The community of Akwesasne does not feel that you have adequately demonstrated that border officials at the Kawehnoke Port of Entry are in fact at risk or that arming is required.
From a global perspective, the CBSA are the first representatives of your country to meet those entering Canada. Rather than being greeted with hospitality, a customs officer carrying a gun will convey an immediate contrary message of suspicion and hostility.
This impression of your country is both disappointing and unnerving and for some, even traumatizing. Arming the CBSA may in fact increase the risk of violence and reduce the safety of your officials as well as our community members. It could make the international border a point of potential conflict and violence, when it should be a place for creative exchange and meeting of the minds. The imbalance of power that exists now creates the potential for abuse. That imbalance will become greater if the officers are armed.
Governments must promote that respectful behavior is to be exercised in our daily interactions. One way to demonstrate respective behavior is to properly consult with the Akwesasne community before arbitrarily oncluding that the CBSA officers at the local port require firearms.
The Kawehnoke Port of Entry is located on Akwesasne Mohawk territory. Our community members account for 70% of the daily travel through the border. This finding was revealed in the International Bridge and Three Nations Bridge Crossing Travel and Toll Impact Study Final Report, which was prepared by Earth Tech Canada Inc. for Transport Canada in August 2002. The international border creates an inconvenience for Akwesasne Mohawks when participating in their day-to-day routines of traveling to work or school, or attending to other social, cultural, economic, health-related, or recreational needs. Recent human rights violations committed by CBSA officials against members of the Akwesasne community have resulted in the need to file a complaint against CBSA with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Although we are committed to strengthen border security and address threats, we are also equally committed to protecting our own national interests and rights, including border crossing rights.
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne hereby officially requests your direct attention to this critical issue. We look forward to immediately meeting with either yourself or The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, in order to address our community's concerns. We cannot assume that our community members would passively accept the arming of the local CBSA Customs Officers without the consultation and approval of their government representatives.
In the interest of safety, security, and peace,
MOHAWK COUNCIL OF AKWESASNE
Tim Thompson
Grand Chief
