Wow, I am so happy to see 2009 trailing behind me now. What a wild $%* year! I seriously am still in shock and awe about my own transformation and how much my views of the world have changed, from just one traumatic year. 2009 left me with a sense of distrust and fear about the new border agents that surround our small community.
I don’t fear the unseen quiet executives that give orders to the border agents, police officers, and military agents, because they are not the ones in the front lines looking at me eye to eye. This is the first year of my life that I actually looked in the eyes of so many young new officers and government agents, that let me know that they are happy to disrespect me, my friends, and family here in Akwesasne..
Who would have thought that military would barricade the only roads leading into and from our own homes? Who would have guessed that so many border officers, police officers, military officers would taunt me and laugh as they told me that they may decide to never allow me to leave or return from my home in Akwesasne? Why did no one ever warn me that even though I have absolutely no criminal record, that simply living in Akwesasne can cause the total removal of basic human rights?
Many of my friends and family in Akwesasne gained stress induced illness as a result of so many officers and agents surrounding us, taunting us, threatening us around our own homes. Some have packed up and moved far away from Kawehno:ke (Akwesasne, Cornwall Island Ontario). Some days, I worry and wonder if my weekly trip to go purchase bottled water will be my last quiet peaceful adventure?
I’m going to be the big ‘40′ very soon and I have to admit that I really have seen alot of this world. I’ve survived, endured, and even thrived regardless of receiving more than my share of abuse, heartache, and trauma. I don’t say that as a competition, nor do I want sympathy. I say that because I want you, the reader to understand just how serious and traumatic 2009 was for everyone in Akwesasne. Those of us that live on ‘the island’ Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island Ontario) have been enduring a tremendous amount of emotional stress each day, because every single road that leads into or out of our homes is literally blocked by border officers. We never know if they will send in a new group of officers that will be meaner and crueler than the last group. Each new group seems to view us as being beneath them. Sometimes they laugh at us, other days they snarl and bark orders at us, other days they even accuse some of us of ridiculous crimes as they cover their own security cameras.
I think I’ve given you enough background information of what I experienced in 2009, here in Akwesasne. So now, I will be absolutely silly and spout out some hopeful motivational predictions for 2010 that are totally tainted by my own opinions, dreams, and experiences.
2010 Prediction One: All the politicians from all of Akwesasne’s districts will discover that all the USA / Canada border markers have disappeared out of Akwesasne. All the politicians will respond by forming one united group for one united community of Akwesasne! No Borders in the middle of our community. Respect, Dignity, Human Rights will become the norm for every Onkwehonwe from every religion, career, beleif, lifestyle. Akwesasne politicians will choose to Unite and work together for the common good of all of Akwesasne. Akwesasne politicians will find a healthy way to maintain respect, dignity, human rights for everyone living in, from, and visiting Akwesasne. A unique approach that acknowledges kanienkehake, english, and french will be recognized internationally. More and more ‘common folks’ will attend the political meetings and everyone will discuss issues respectfully and actually come up with solutions that are attainable for everyone.
2010 Prediction Two: Akwesasne will respectfully and fairly negotiate with CBSA. Both parties will leave the table as winners with their dignity and public support.
2010 Prediction Three: Akwesasne, Kawehno:ke will host an event where the island residents, border officers, and all politicians will attend and create a new respectful friendship. They will agree to meet each New Year to remind each other of dignity, respect, and human rights.
2010 Prediction Four: I will go on a one week work vacation to a tropical location to research another tiny island. I will report back on how the foreign tiny island was once full of slaves that gained their freedom and became one of the world’s most successful banking capitals of the world.
2010 Prediction Five: Akwesasne Womens Fire .com will debut more new workshops where participants can learn how to Video record their lives and share their discoveries with their own friends, family, and neighbors.
2010 Prediction Six: Akwesasne’s animal control group will create a local family friendly zoo. Locals and tourists will visit to learn about Onkwehonwe traditional stories, culture, and history in regards to our relationship with the Natural world. Onkwehonwe will enjoy career opportunities in Akwesasne regarding vetinarian medicine, zookeeper and other similar opportunities. PTSD sufferers will be able to foster care for animals and the animals will help them to overcome their PTSD.
2010 Prediction Seven: Akwesasne will receive affordable cellular phone services, internet services, and wireless internet services. SeawayWebSites.com will help more locals in Akwesasne to learn how to use their computers to benefit from internet and innovative technologies. AkwesasneWomensFire.com will host more workshops to help locals learn how to videotape their lives in Akwesasne.
2010 Prediction Eight: Akwesasne will continue to enjoy health services within our own community. Our health care providers will treat everyone with respect and dignity always.
2010 Prediction Nine: Akwesasne’s local library and museum will expand and provide more public computers with internet access. They will also have super comfortable and cute furniture with a geek friendly internet cafe that promotes friendly gatherings amongst knowledge seekers.
2010 Prediction Ten: Every single home in Akwesasne, will have access to healthy clean water from every single tap. We won’t be forced to buy huge bottles of water for cooking and human consumption anymore.
Hatskwe! Their you have it! My own opinionated predictions for 2010. Kenoronkwa Akwesasne tahnon Akwesasneron. Happy New Year!
2010 can Bring It!
My name is Monica Peters. I am Onkwehonwe, a Published Author, Journalist, VLogger, Web Applications Developer (iPhone, SEO, MultiMedia, AIML). Contact me: admin@AkwesasneWomensFire.com 
You are an optimistic soul! All the more surprising considering recent historical treatment of your peoples. I join with you wishing for better things in the decade ahead. I’ll be glad to see the ass end of the last one!
It pains me to hear (first-hand) about the treatment of Akwesasne residents by the “border authorities”. Such immature spirits to think they are better (superior) to anybody else. I’m an Ottawa native (and a white man) and have learned that if humanity is going to save itself from self-destruction before it’s too late, we must all look to the old ways of our own native peoples to help guide us to a brighter future. But still, we persist to persecute and maintain old prejudices towards the aboriginal peoples of this country (continent). I am ashamed not only for how the native peoples were treated by my ancestors, but I’m still ashamed as to how we continue to treat you.
However, it is good to maintain a positive attitude, no matter what has transpired. The past is the past and we all have RIGHT NOW to focus upon. May 2010 bring many blessings to the people of Akwesasne and all other First Nations people. We need you and your wisdom of earthly things if we are all going to survive.
Love!
David Greig / Peacemaker