MCA plebiscite results: CBSA can return but no guns

 


The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne released results of a plebiscite they conducted during a two-week period in October regarding the Canada Border Services Agency and border crisis on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island.)

More than a thousand residents of MCA’s districts and members who reside in Cornwall took part in the survey answering a two-part question. First community members were asked if they wanted CBSA to return to Kawehno:ke. An overwhelming majority, 75 percent, said yes. However, the second part of the question asked those who said yes to say if CBSA should be allowed to resume their duties on Kawehno:ke armed with guns. The majority, 59 percent, said no with 41 percent saying yes.

“The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has gained some insight into community opinion based on both the actual plebiscite results, as well as from the hundreds of written comments made by community members,” said MCA Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell.

Grand Chief Mitchell said they’ve made three major conclusions:

“1. The majority of respondents want the CBSA to resume operations on Kawehno:ke, but is less certain about customs officers being armed. Those that did support CBSA’s return shared reasonable and realistic suggestions before the border agency could resume operations on Kawehno:ke. These conditions serve as a reaffirmation of previous measures proposed by Akwesasne leaders to the CBSA, such as a community liaison position and cultural sensitivity training.

2. There is a consistent recommendation from membership to enter into professional mediation with the CBSA to address the underlying issues surrounding our community’s concern over the arming of customs officers on Kawehno:ke. It recognizes that past efforts to negotiate an enduring and workable resolution were not successful and that this can be overcome with the assistance of a third party in a mediated settlement of the issues.

3. Community members find the current situation unacceptable and the situation is becoming more urgent in light of recent incidents, which reveal growing antagonism between Akwesasne residents and CBSA guards. The vast majority of respondents want a quick resolution to our community’s concerns against the CBSA as a result of the relocated port in Cornwall.”

Grand Chief Mitchell said that as a result of the plebiscite, MCA is proposing third-party mediation.

“The information shared by community members during the plebiscite support MCA’s efforts to enter into professional mediation with the federal government and the CBSA,” Grand Chief Mitchell said. “The results indicate that we need to quickly resolve our community’s issues with the border agency.”

During the plebiscite, community members had opportunities to add additional information and suggestions.

“These included substantial and well-thought suggestions such as having CBSA station more aboriginal customs officers at this port, hiring and training local residents from the community of Akwesasne, requiring that CBSA guards receive cultural awareness/sensitivity training, increased firearms training, establishing alternative reporting mechanisms, and other reasonable measures that will help normalize the daily routine of local residents when traveling within their own community.”

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe also conducted a phone survey to hear from its membership as well. Those results have not yet been released.

 

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