Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Territory of Akwesasne - The Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews, in announcing the creation of a new anti-contraband police task force to combat illegal tobacco sales, has once again missed the mark in adequately addressing the multi-jurisdictional problems that Akwesasne faces.  Harsher sentences and more police are not the solution to a larger economic issue. Minister Toews seems to be bent on becoming a poster child of Idle No More with his John Wayne attitude towards First Nations people.

“Minister Toews has consistently refused to meet with leaders of the Akwesasne community to hear their views on resolving contraband smuggling,” said Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell.  “Instead, he has held press conferences next door to Akwesasne and painted our entire community as lawless and tolerant of criminal activity. This couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“If Minister Toews would take the time to visit the community, he would see that the problem isn’t the people of Akwesasne, but the multitude of borders that dissect Akwesasne into two countries, two provinces and one state,” said Kana:takon District Chief Steve Thomas, whose portfolios include Public Safety.  “The international boundary line zigzags around islands in the St. Lawrence River making it extremely difficult for contraband to be seized, and this weakness has been exploited by external criminal organizations. If Minister Toews would take the time to visit, he would see it as a jurisdictional nightmare.”

“The long-term solution - something we are strongly suggesting Canada and the United States consider - is removing the international boundary to one side or the other of Akwesasne,” said Grand Chief Mitchell.  “This would make our community whole again, and the jurisdictional issues we face would cease to exist.”

Sending in additional troops from the RCMP isn’t going to resolve the contraband issue, the Grand Chief added, for there is already an insurmountable number of external policing agencies surrounding Akwesasne with the same goal.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne sincerely requests that the Minister of Public Safety meet with the leaders of Akwesasne to hear what our own leadership and police forces are already doing to combat the smuggling problem.

 “The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is currently involved in negotiations with the Ontario and Quebec governments to address the tobacco contraband issue,” stated MCA Integrated Resource Management Director Jim Ransom.  “The goal of this Multi-jurisdiction Economic Development Sub-Table is in part to legalize the tobacco trade while at the same time exploring other legal forms of economic development that could replace the tobacco industry.  Proposed solutions involve identifying a long term strategy of alternative economic opportunities. Currently, the Multi-jurisdiction Economic Development Sub-Table is studying internal solutions that would recognize the lawmaking authority of the Mohawk Government to regulate and control the tobacco trade. They are also looking at other forms of economic development that could replace the tobacco industry.”

For example, the Mohawks own nearly a hundred miles of islands on the St. Lawrence River that could be developed for the tourism and cottage industries.  Some of the larger islands that are connected by a bridge or have the possibility of being connected to the mainland are also being evaluated and assessed for economic value.  An international conference centre and hotel that could host special events and international meetings is also a possibility.

 Tsi Snaihne District Chief April Adams-Phillips, whose portfolios include Economic Develoment, added, “We are looking at creating employment opportunities that could number in the hundreds and utilize the skills of our highly educated and trained community members.”

“The International border has circumvented any opportunity for development of our Akwesasne territory in past years,” stated Grand Chief Mitchell. “We aim to turn that around.”

Kawehno:ke District Chief Brian David added, “The Canadian portion of Akwesasne is further divided into two provinces of Ontario and Quebec, which has had a negative effect on any potential benefit that could be brought to a portion of the community.  These include education, health, and social benefits. We have identified the problems and are now sitting across from each other in finding solutions.”

The Mohawk Council’s ultimate goal is to replace what has been a large part of its economy with a multitude of choices for high-level employment opportunities for the future. We will continue to invite the federal government – with its multitude of departments – to join us. Recently, officials from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada have sent their officials to be a party to the Multi-jurisdiction Economic Development Sub-Table. We are aware that finding an overall solution to the tobacco issue is going to require other agencies of the federal government to sit at the table besides than AANDC.

“Akwesasne has a very young population with great promise and potential,” said Grand Chief Mitchell. “The community has invested heavily in education opportunities over the past 25 years. We have a 70 percent graduate rate at the high school level and the same at the college and university level.  We have a teachers work force with 80 percent Mohawk instructors.  We have a Mohawk school board that has identified the best of American and Canadian curriculums.  Mohawk culture and language are also a major priority of success in educating our children. They deserve better opportunities for the future and with the cooperation and support of external governments we can make that happen.”