Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs
For Immediate Release
Akwesasne Mohawk Territory – Seskehkó:wa/September 23, 2009
The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, Clanmothers, Faithkeepers, and people offer thanksgiving and extend the arm of peace. On September 18th, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) executed its threat to seize vehicles and fine those Akwesasró:non who fail to report to the temporary customs post in Cornwall, after traveling from the southern portion of Akwesasne back to Kawehnó:ke (Cornwall Island).
As the national government of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) people, it is the position of the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs that the community of Akwesasne is a unified territory that is neither a part of Canada or the United States; remaining sovereign and free.
This unprovoked and insensitive act by the CBSA is another demonstration that the Government of Canada has no intention to resolve this serious issue in good faith. This petty gesture of bravado will no doubt agitate an already tattered relationship between Canada and the Mohawk Nation - ultimately bringing our two peoples no closer to peace and friendship.
The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs views this intimidation tactic as a violation of not only our sovereignty, but of our basic human rights as Indigenous Peoples. Specifically, the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs charges the Government of Canada with violating clear and defined sections of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007. These rights include, but are not limited to:
Article 26
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.
Article 33
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own identity or membership in accordance with their customs and traditions
Article 36
1. Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders.
2. States, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, shall take effective measures to facilitate the exercise and ensure the implementation of this right.
The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, with the support of the Haudenosaunee Six Nations Confederacy, calls upon the Government of Canada to make a real and sincere effort to discuss a political solution to this dangerous issue before it escalates. Thus far, all attempts by the Mohawk Nation to initiate a discussion on the border crossing issue have been rejected or ignored by the CBSA and Immigration Canada.
The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs shall remain ever vigilant in the protection of its people and in the defense of its territory. Should any Haudenosaunee citizen be the target of human rights abuses at the CBSA port in Cornwall, please contact the Mohawk Nation Office at 518-358-3381 to report the incident.
In resolute perseverance,
Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs
Haudenosaunee Six Nations Confederacy
Overview of the Mohawk Nation Council of ChiefsMohawk Nation Council of Chiefs The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs is the national government of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) people. Officially recognized by the Haudenosaunee Six Nations Confederacy, the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs maintains a permanent presence amongst the Haudenosaunee Grand Council of Chiefs. |
Tonawanda Seneca Nation Territory
MOA UpdateOn June 17, 2009, the Haudenosaunee Documentation Committee (HOC) sent a revised Proposal to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). After reviewing our proposed MOA, CBP requested a description of the Haudenosaunee ID Card System. On July 13, the HDC sent CBP the description of our card production system. Following the review this document, the CBP and the HDC held numerous conference calls in June, July, and August regarding the remaining issues in the MOA. We have made great progress and the MOA is very nearly complete. In our ongoing efforts to reach a signed MOA, the HDC participated in two high level meetings with US officials. On August 25, the HDC met with Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echohawk at the Onondaga Longhouse to emphasize the need for CBP to finalize the MOA as we have proposed. Lastly, on September 3, the HDC met with federal officials in Washington, DC, to follow up on the Echohawk meeting.
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