Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA), the governing body of the northern, or Canadian, portion of Akwesasne, has learned of a United States bill that was recently proposed by U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-Syracuse that calls for a security study to be conducted on the northern U.S. –Canada border. In previous interviews, Mr. Katko accused Akwesasne of being a high-smuggling route that his colleagues fear will be used to smuggle terrorists into the U.S. from Canada.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has not been contacted or consulted with by Mr. Katko or his colleagues with regard to border security or any other matter.  MCA is more than willing to share with Mr. Katko the numerous border security plans and projects that are heavily underway between Akwesasne and Canadian and U.S. authorities.  Mr. Katko’s bill appears to be purely political, and any sincere concern regarding security would have first been addressed with the U.S., Canadian and Akwesasne authorities that are already tasked with increasing border security. High-level meetings have taken place in Washington and Ottawa with U.S., Canadian, and Mohawk officials, and there are active pursuits of border security projects and improvements such as a marine patrol and border security force in Akwesasne that would work in conjunction with the Akwesasne Mohawk Police as well as all other law enforcement entities.  Previous collaborations between our security forces have produced positive results for Akwesasne as well as the United States and Canada.

It is not uncommon for Akwesasne to be used as a scapegoat.  When 9/11 happened, the national media was quick to point to Akwesasne as the route terrorists used to enter the country and for weeks this information was shared around the world erroneously.  This false accusation has lingered at the Akwesasne community’s expense and this community continues to be a target for politicians who use propaganda and fear mongering without any regard for our community and more importantly our attempts to have progress in border relations. 

Mr. Katko’s bill is reflective of his lack of true understanding of the Canadian-U.S. border and the amount of border security work that has already transpired and continues to be conducted on a daily basis with all major parties involved.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne cautions the public to review Mr. Katko’s proposed bill H.R. 455 carefully and to not be persuaded by the political propaganda that surrounds it.    

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne would be prepared to participate in a new joint meeting between U.S. and Canadian officials to further discuss our mutual concern for border security.  Akwesasne has on numerous occasions taken part in these types of problem-solving meetings to identify solutions that benefit all parties concerned.  

In response to the actions taken by Congressman Katko the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe issued this statement; “As the U.S. federally recognized government for Akwesasne, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has been following the political process to secure a meeting with U.S. Congressman Katko.”