Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Letter to the editor

In August of this past summer, I was travelling into Cornwall and as I approached the new CBSA Port of Entry I was asked to drive towards the primary inspection as the CBSA would be seizing my vehicle for an alleged non-reporting. I told the Customs Officer that I would not be driving towards the primary area but will be continuing around the circle and returning home. I made a decision that the CBSA was not going to “steal” another vehicle, well not mine anyway.

After a week had passed since this incident occurred, I was advised by a CBSA Agent that attended my residence accompanied by Wesley Benedict that there was a warrant for my arrest and that I should ‘’do the right thing’’ and surrender myself and my vehicle to CBSA custody. Without hesitation I told both these individuals who were inside my home that I am doing the right thing. It was explained to me on this day that I was being charged for hindering an officer and failing to comply which were under the Canada Customs Act. For approximately two months I stopped travelling through the Cornwall CBSA port of entry. This however, did not stop me from any day to day routines and I easily went about my family life and continued to operate my business without any obstructions or hardships.

This of course came to a sudden change this past Monday when I was riding my mountain bike on Island Road and was arrested by two members of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police. I can honestly say that I was more surprised than angered that our police department has begun to practice enforcement for Canada Customs. It was a nice day, I decided to trade my Harley for a mountain bike and began riding to the west when midway thru the Island a police car slowed down and I heard a voice yell ‘’pull over we need to talk to you.” I am not going to lie; I refused to pull over and thought, you can continue talking while I pedal. The police car was used to force me off my bike and then two officers, Phil Boots and my very own cousin Cory Thomas told me that there was a warrant for my arrest. I acknowledged and did not deny that there was a warrant but I did let the officers know that I felt they were traitors and that they were only red on the outside like a fruit that grows plenty at this time of year. The officers told me that they enforce arrest warrants for CBSA and that they enforce all laws and that they do not pick and choose specific laws to enforce. I thought to myself, ‘’this is how Sitting Bull felt when he was crossed by the Indian Scout who turned him over to the US Government’’. Then a sudden thought came to my mind, towards my cousin officer Cory Thomas that he does not enforce and does not even respect all laws as he claimed and reminded him. I told Cory that I know he is neglecting the community law, the one law that was sanctioned by the community as he allows his non-native girlfriend to live with him in our community.

In closing, the members of our police department should never say “they have to enforce all laws” if they can’t respect the most important law, the community’s law.

Niawen tanon Skennen akenhakie

Taiotharakie, Mark Mitchell