I am at the Davis vs CBSA Human Rights Tribunal, waiting for it to start. I will post what I see and hear. I won’t post too much about my own opinion today. I want to take some time to process everything I see and hear about this tribunal this year, and then I will post a story about what I personally think about the Davis vs CBSA Human Rights Tribunal, later this year. Wow, only a few more weeks left to this year.

9:37 am, The Chair, Réjean Bélanger, is explaining the next hearing will be held from 15th to 19th of March and 22nd to 26th of March 2010.  Richard Jacobs (Oka Dick) is being called in as the witness.

9:40 am, Richard Jacobs is being sworn in, with a bible.  Kakwerais is asking Richard Jacobs to look at documents and asking if the documents are his.  Richard Jacobs is stating that its his document, but it has some changes.  He said it is rough, because he felt this case was going nowhere, like all the other cases like this one (Davis vs CBSA Human Rights Tribunal).  Richard Jacobs is saying the document was just given to his supervisor as a rough draft.  Richard Jacobs is stating he was Mohawk Security Officer at the CBSA port for 24 1/2 years so far, as of this year.  Richard Jacobs is stating that he lives on Cornwall Island even during the time he has been a Mohawk Security Officer.

9:46 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining the changes he has seen with the relationship between CBSA and the Mohawk community. He sees that the relations have soured in the last 8 or 9 years, because the bad treatment of Natives has increased.  Richard Jacobs is saying that he thinks the relationship changed for the worse, when the older CBSA officers retired, that the newer CBSA officers started treating the Mohawks poorly.  Richard Jacobs explained that the older CBSA officers seemed to treat travelers with more respect and maintained a friendly atmosphere.

9:49 am,  Richard is responding that the newer CBSA officers received education about the Akwesasne community in regards to the borders, a few years ago.  Someone was driving the newer CBSA officers and Immigration officers,  around the Akwesasne community to show them where the borders are.

9:54 am, Richard Jacobs just said that he does not know who Lucinda Reading is.  Lucinda is missing from this meeting this morning.  Richard Jacobs is talking about a ‘cultural sensitivity’ class about the Mohawks, that only one CBSA officer attended.  Richard Jacobs is stating that CBSA officers attended the career fair, at the Anokowara Arena each year.  Richard Jacobs said he never attended the career fair, that other Mohawk Security did attend and they were paid to attend the career fair.

9:59 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that an xray machine was at the CBSA port on November 17th, (he does not know it’s called VACIS).  Richard Jacobs remembers seeing the VACIS team scan commercial vehicles.  Richard Jacobs is stating he does not know how many times the VACIS machine and team was at the CBSA port.  Richard Jacobs said the VACIS team & machine was at the CBSA port before November 17th 2005.

10:02 am, Richard Jacobs is stating that he never received any training about the VACIS machine or team.  Richard Jacobs is explaining that he felt that if he started directing black suvs to the commercial zone, that if it was Natives in the middle of a big contraband hit, that Mohawk security would be in a bad spot, possibly blamed.

10:05 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that he works through Mohawk Council, under CBSA. Richard Jacobs is explaining that he felt the VACIS team put Mohawk Security ‘on the spot’, and that their was ‘no blitz’.  Richard Jacobs is explaining that he could intervene with Natives in secondary that give CBSA officers a problem, because Mohawk Security is peace officers.

10:08 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that the Mohawk Security office is at the corner of the old CBSA building on Kawehnoke (Cornwall Island, Ontario).  Richard Jacobs agreed that Mohawk Security is for all people and not just Natives.

10:13 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that when he was a Mohawk Security officer and CBSA asked for his assistance it was because they were nervous.  Richard Jacobs stated that CBSA never asked for the Mohawk Security to assist them on November 17 nor November 18th.

10:15 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that he watched camera 3 and that they should have been recording the events, because they record 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Richard Jacobs is stating that their was no reason that the video camera would not have been recording, their were no power failures, their were no renovations, their was no reason for the cameras to not be recording.  Richard Jacobs is guessing that the cameras might have been installed about 3 years before 2005. Richard Jacobs is stating that he is not aware of any reason for the tapes to disfunction or not record properly.  Richard Jacobs just said that he never personally looked at the tapes.

10:20 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that sometimes the tape recordings were subpoenaed by lawyers. He is pointing out where cameras were located on the CBSA building in 2005.  He thinks their might have been about 12 cameras in 2005 and today their are about 35 or more.

10:24 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining that when Mohawk Security was taping Fallan Davis with camera 3, that he  did not look at the other cameras, because he put the camera 3 on full screen.  Richard Jacobs is explaining that the front counter was probably also looking at the cameras and that they could also get different views (full screen from one camera, full screen from all cameras).  Richard Jacobs is explaining that many CBSA officers could view the camera livefeeds from many locations.

10:27 am, Richard Jacobs is stating that those cameras were recording and the tapes should exist.  Richard Jacobs is explaining that the VACIS team and officers that were digging around in Fallan’s car, caught everyone’s attention.  Usually only 2 officers dig around a vehicle.  Richard Jacobs recalls seeing 4 or 5 officers digging around Fallan’s car, so everyone thought they must have found something really big in Fallan’s vehicle.

10:30 am, Richard Jacobs is stating that is was very unusual, to see how the officers started going after Fallan Davis.  Alot of yelling, screaming, pointing their fingers right into her face, at least two officers (Kevin Sills) were in Fallan’s face.  Richard Jacobs, was shocked that Kevin Sills was behaving ‘like another person’, because Richard had never seen him like that.  normally Kevin Sills was polite with anyone else.  Richard Jacobs is explaining that Kevin Sills, was just out of it, going after Fallan Davis with alot of anger, his face right in Fallan’s face, Kevin Sills finger was right in Fallan’s face, while he screamed at her, that Kevin Sills was right in Fallan’s face. Richard thought it seemed like Fallan was trying to answer Kevin Sills questions and demands.  Richard Jacobs keeps saying, the tape will show all of this.

10:35 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining their were at least 3 monitors and controls total; 1 in security office, 1 in supervisor office, and  1 in front counter back in 2005 during Davis incident.  Richard Jacobs is explaining that most of the secondary checks were coming from the Indian Lane (p4 lane).  “We had a feeling, my partner and I, that they were going after, probably a Native, we weren’t sure, but most likely, and it turned out to be Natives”  because the blitz was done on black suvs in the Indian Lane

10:42 am, Richard Jacobs is explaining how travelers get to the secondary inspection.  Richard is explaining that even though they have a computer that picks out the travelers, it still seems like it’s usually Natives being put into the secondary inspection.  Richard Jacobs is explaining how Mohawk Security was concerned because it seemed like mostly Natives were being put into secondary inspection.

prior to november 18 2005, he does not remember seeing another vehicle being scanned by VACIS. He also remembers a dark grey/black vehcile, being scanned by VACIS after Fallan Davis. He does remember only commercial vehicles being scanned by the VACIS machine.

10:47 am, Richard Jacobs is stating, on May 31st 2009, someone (only CBSA officers were allowed in the locker room)  broke the lock on Richard Jacobs locker and stole his notebooks that referred to this incident with Teiohontathe Fallan Davis.

We are all going on a quick break until 11:00 am.

Nicole just notified the Chair that her system needs a few minutes to reboot.  At 3:17 pm, Nicole’s system was running and everything is being recorded now.  Sean’s request was ignored and Dana is now interrogating Helene Oakes about her past grievance with CBSA.  Helene stated that she never had work conflicts prior to working with CBSA in Akwesasne.

Helene said that she worked with a lot of respectable CBSA agents that followed the core values.  She said that their was also a small handful of CBSA agents that do not follow the core values.  Sean Gaudet objected to Helene’s statement. The Chair argued that it is important to recognize that Helene views and acknowledges that not every CBSA agent is ‘bad’.

Sean Gaudet is objecting and arguing that it’s not relevant, to try and establish if the witness (former CBSA officer), noticed that the more experienced CBSA officers treated the public differently than the newer inexperienced CBSA officers.  The Chair has agreed to stop the question, because it is asking for an opinion.

Helene is talking about the unique location of Akwesasne.  The Chair is asking if the USA border has the same problems as CBSA.  Helene is telling the Chair that the USA border gets more training and is much more professional.  Teiohontathe Fallan Davis is telling the Chair how the USA border customs building even shows the two row wampum inside their building.  Helene is explaining the Two Row Wampum concept to the Chair.  Salt held up the Two Row Wampum from the gallery, and the Chair noticed him, because Salt has his Kastoweh and ribbon shirt on.

Sean Gaudet objected to Dana drawing a quick map of Akwesasne.  The Chair ignored his objection, so Dana is showing the commission what Akwesasne is like in regards to the borders and how we are able to leave and return from our homes. How we are each expected to ask permission from so many border agents, just to get groceries, go to doctor, school, or work.  Sean Gaudet objected to showing a map of Akwesasne, so Dana said she would bring a map tomorrow for him.

Helene is saying that traditionalists do not recognize the borders that were placed for USA and Canada.  The Chair stopped the question and said that the question is getting too far from the Davis incident.

Helene went on to state that the day of the Davis incident, it was a ‘blitz’ from CBSA. That means that CBSA is targetting a certain problem, such as drugs or counterfeit money.  Blitzes might be pre-arranged, like on November 18 2005, when the VACIS machine was put on Davis.  Helene said that she had never seen a VACIS machine used on a vehicle before, because it was for commercial trucks, as far as she knew.

The Chair asked Helene why would Davis be targetted?  Helene said that black suvs from the reserve were targetted that day and that target was determined a few days earlier.  Sometimes blitzes were done where the only targets were anyone that went to the ‘Indian Lane’.  Helene never heard of a blitz being done on only lanes that were not the ‘Indian Lane’.

4:12 pm, Helene stated that cameras are on the old cbsa building, on the bridges, and the video tape is subpenoed to the courts when incidents happen.  Helene said that she went into the mohawk security office on November 18th 2005 and she saw that ‘Oka , Richard Jacobs’ still had the security cameras on the commercial area, where the VACIS machine was used against Davis earlier.  Helene said they also had problems with cameras because the male officers were zooming the camera onto females inappropriately.  She said that even though their was many cameras, their was only one tape and she does not know what the other CBSA officers did with the video tape recording of the Davis incident.

Blitzes in regards to the Chinese buses that go across to the casino, are to find out if any currency or contraband issues are happening. The chair just asked Helene if it was ever discussed that targeting Chinese buses could be viewed as discriminatory or profiling.

4:23 pm, Helene stated that Kevin Sills (targeting agent) with VACIS from landsdown wanted to blitz ‘Black SUVs’ that go in the Indian Lane, on the day that CBSA abused Davis.  Helene said that the VACIS team rarely ever went to the Akwesasne CBSA port.

4:25 pm, we are taking break until 4:30, then go until 5 pm.   Sean Gaudet claims to have a meeting, so he can’t stay until 5 pm.

4:40 pm, Sean is trying to cross examine Helene now (out of his turn, disrupting her process).  Helene is telling how the procedure and policies work, in regards to the video tapes that CBSA recorded all around the CBSA building. She said that she saw Richard Jacobs was taping / recording the incident with Davis.  She could not beleive what she was hearing on the radio and watching on the cameras, it was disgusting how Davis was being treated.

4:45 pm Sean Gaudet is objecting to a document being used as evidence.  Davis said she had to get the document, from ‘access to information act’ because it was never disclosed.  The document is created by Lucinda Reading and refers to ‘the tape’ that CBSA recorded of the Davis incident in 2005.

The chair is stopping today’s tribunal and stated we will start back up tomorrow morning at 9:30 am.

We all barely arrived at the Davis vs. CBSA Human Rights Tribunal in time, before the chair was going to cancel.  When we got to the CBSA barracade at the north edge of our bridge from Kawehnoke (cornwall island ontario), the CBSA agents took out a yellow form and demanded that we drive over to their detainment trailer and wait for them to let us continue to our destination (Tribunal).

The CBSA agents were rude as usual, and one (#16279) shook his head and mumbled ‘unbeleivable’ when I kept my camera out and rolling.  Another CBSA agent (#) demanded that I shut my camera off and I had to remind him that I am in a public place, so he left me alone after he realized that others know about the laws that CBSA tries to break.  Then the CBSA agent cited that he had to interrogate us about our births, ids, place of births, residence because of the Immigration & Refugee Act.  His CBSA partner, laughed, butted into the conversation and said it was important for us to know that it was the ‘Refugee Protection Act’.  We told them again and again that we are not refugees, nor are we immigrants.

I will write more details later and show the video of the incident later.  I am sitting in the Human Rights Tribunal now, so will share more later.  Sean Gaudet is stalling for time as usual right now.  He tried a few more weak attempts and provided weak excuses stating why he does not want any of Davis witnesses to be allowed to speak at the Tribunal.  Right now Sean Gaudet is questioning who the owners are of the Boots home, and trying to prove that stories from the Standard Freeholder are complete truth, in regards to ‘Warrior Society’.

More Later.  We made it safely and peacefully to the Nav Can Center today

My previous posts about the events are also found online at “CBSA stopped tribunal by arresting Davis for roaming freely around Akwesasne” and “Davis vs. CBSA human rights tribunal stopped again by the CBSA“. Another good video to watch, so that you can get a good idea of how the C.B.S.A. is trying to force Katenies, the Davis family, and all Onkwehonwe to become ‘Canadian tax payers’ can be found online and is titled “Court Ignores Mohawk Jurisdiction, by Lia Tara“. It’s interesting to note that the video shows Katenies at the cornwall court house, more than a year ago.

I have to question why the C.B.S.A. and the Crown waited for more than a year, to chain – imprison and try to force Katenies to be held under the British Crown?  Onkwehonwe are not Canadians nor are we British!  Why did the C.B.S.A. and Crown choose to imprison Katenies, stopping her from attending the Davis vs. Human Rights Tribunal?  Why did the CBSA refuse to tell us why they  arrested Katenies on thursday December 3 2009?  When did the CBSA get authority to arrest Katenies and any Onkwehonwe for roaming freely around Akwesasne?

When ‘Show and Tell’ involves C.B.S.A.  and government agents that assume their activities are secret, it tends to look like a scene from a prison camp dictatorship.  The photos, audio and video that were recorded, while the C.B.S.A. harassed us, lied to us, and imprisoned Katenies has been sent to many safe locations and it is available from AkwesasneWomensFire.com.

Not one of us are criminals, our only ‘crime’ according to CBSA and the Canada corporation, is that we choose to roam freely around Akwesasne, our homelands, the Americos Empire.

You can listen to what everyone said for yourself, by clicking the audio links next to each picture ( I will post asap ).  CBSA trailer also has cameras and they record everything inside their trailer and the CBSA barricade on Brookdale avenue at the north edge of the bridge. Historically, the CBSA mysteriously lose or damage their own recordings, each time they abuse anyone though.  That is why everyone is encouraged to record and document everything they encounter at all times.

This first photo is a young man that claimed to be a C.B.S.A. agent.  He was wearing a gun, weapons, vest, black uniform while he ‘processed my ID’ in the CBSA trailer next to Hieberts restaurant, on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall Ontario.  He told me that he does not have to wear a badge number when I asked him what his badge number was.  He laughed and scoffed at my question, carried my ID card to a desk.  He wrote notes about my ID card, then took it over to a copy machine.

His superior (#16210) also backed up the anonymous CBSA agent’s statements by telling me that hiding badge numbers was an ‘internal matter’ that did not concern me.  I kept questioning both of them and they both laughed at me.  They insisted that they are not required to wear nor show their badge numbers at any time.

I stepped out of the CBSA trailer and requested more cameras to go inside with me, to find out the badge number of the CBSA agent.  The slimy behavior of the CBSA agents (today and in the past), give me cause to be alarmed that they plan to abuse their position at any time.

When I returned with cameras,  the anonymous CBSA agent ran into the back room of the CBSA trailer and tried to quickly put a badge number on his uniform.  He returned to me and my camera, smiling.  He  tried to place a badge number on my camera lens.   The new badge number he produced, was  #20372, but his actions give me reason to never trust him or his superiors.

CBSA agent # 16210 stated again that the badge numbers are not required, an internal matter, and did not concern us.  I stated that I do not believe anything that liars say to me and their was now no way for me to know if that new badge number even belonged to the anonymous CBSA agent. Here is a photo of the CBSA agent that claimed he is never required to show or tell what his badge number is (while he is carrying a gun too!).

CBSA agent refused to wear or show his badge number, while wearing gun, weapons, taking my ID card away and making copies. (maybe #20372)

CBSA agent refused to wear or show his badge number, while wearing gun, weapons, taking my ID card away and making copies. (maybe #20372) Thursday Morning Dec. 3, 2009 Cornwall Ontario.

CBSA agent refused to wear or show his badge number, while wearing gun, weapons, taking my ID card away and making copies. (maybe #20372) Thursday Morning Dec. 3, 2009 Cornwall Ontario.

Here are photos of the CBSA agent that claimed to be the superior of the above CBSA agent.  The following CBSA agent (# ) is the one that told me that they never have to wear or show their badge numbers to any of us, while they are in uniform, carrying firearms, and imprisoning any of us.  He also refused to say why he chained and imprisoned Katenies.  Then he stated that he did not know why he arrested Katenies.  Then he stated that he can arrest anyone at any time.

CBSA agent #16210, telling me that they can hide badge numbers anytime they choose. Thursday Morning Dec. 3, 2009 Cornwall Ontario.

CBSA agent #16210, telling me that they can hide badge numbers anytime they choose. Thursday Morning Dec. 3, 2009 Cornwall Ontario.

CBSA agent #16210, telling me that they can hide badge numbers anytime they choose. Thursday Morning Dec. 3, 2009 Cornwall Ontario.

Katenies was chained and imprisoned in a room, in the CBSA trailer. The CBSA agents in the trailer, were overheard talking about how Lucinda Reading and Sean Gaudet setup a ‘lookout synopsis’ the day before, as part of their plan to stop Davis from attending the Davis vs. CBSA Human Rights Tribunal. Katenies was denied communication with anyone. CBSA and the Crown tried to force their own Canadian lawyer onto Katenies and her family. The Crown denied Katenies the ability to speak for herself and now they threaten to imprison and hide Katenies until March 2010. Teihontathe Fallan Davis continues to attend the Human Rights Tribunal, even while her mother Katenies is being imprisoned, hidden, and silenced by CBSA, the Crown, and the dictatorship that I know as Canada corporation.

I noticed that the USA border has erected a new metal barracade on the north edge of the bridge to Kawehno:ke, in the past few days. I wonder if the elders fears will come true, when they say the corporations of USA and Canada will imprison all Onkwehonwe?

• C.B.S.A. = Canadian Border Services Agency.  A Canadian Union.  Note that CBSA duties do not state that they decide when Onkwehonwe are ‘allowed’ to leave and return from our homes around Akwesasne!
• Maps of Akwesasne.

According to the CHRC website, “the Commission works with service providers, individuals, unions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and provincial and territorial human rights bodies to foster understanding and commitment to achieving a society where human rights are respected in everyday practices.”

Internationally, the Commission’s strong leadership role includes chairing the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, within the United Nations. The CHRC Organizational Chart can be viewed online at http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/about/organizational_chart_organigramme-en.asp

In 1977, Parliament passed the Canadian Human Rights Act. The Commission began its work in 1978. The purpose of the Act is to ensure equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination in federal jurisdiction. The idea behind the Act is that people will not be placed at a disadvantage because of their age, sex, race or any other ground covered by the Act. That is discrimination and is against the Canadian law.

Who is Protected by the Act? Who is Governed by It?

Since 2006, the C.B.S.A. legal team has practiced slimy tactics in response to Davis wanting an inquiry with the Human Rights Tribunal. C.B.S.A. continues the following tactics during the Human Rights Tribunal:

• attempted to deny the request for a Human Rights Tribunal, 4 times, citing relevance.
• attempt to prove that Davis was not receiving services.
• attempt to prove that Davis can not be ‘Lawfully present in Canada’.
• attempt to prove that Davis can not be ‘legally entitled to return to Canada’.
• details online at http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/discrimination/federally_regulated-en.asp
• attempt to discredit Davis’s health in regards to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
• questioned where Davis finds support to maintain her health.
• attempt to discredit and prove that Davis is not fit to represent and speak for herself around C.B.S.A.

At one point, during the Human Rights Tribunal, Sean Gaudet (C.B.S.A. lawyer) kept speaking about and referring to a document that was in the French language.  Mr. Gaudet continued speaking in French, then demanding a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer from Davis, even while it was very apparent that Davis does not speak nor understand the French language.  That was just one slimy trick that slithered out of his lawyer sleeve.

Another slimy tactic that Sean Gaudet tried with that same French language document, was in regards to Davis medical lab results.  The medical lab results were in regards to standard PAP Smear tests that all females are familiar with.  At one point, Sean Gaudet loudly proclaimed into his microphone that the medical lab result document mentioned a sexually transmitted disease, but he stopped at that point.  The way Sean Gaudet referred to the sexually transmitted disease, insinuated that Davis may have that sexually transmitted disease.

The Human Rights Commission angrily spoke out and stated that, as a matter of fact, Davis’s medical records stated that she did not have any sexually transmitted diseases!  If the Chair had not spoken out at that point, Sean Gaudet’s insinuation that Davis had sexually transmitted diseases would have been forever recorded in the audio, unchecked.

It’s been very difficult for me to quietly watch the Human Rights Tribunal, because I feel that Davis is being further abused by a team of slimy fork-tongued monsters.  Sometimes I want to stand up and yell at them to stop being so racist and hateful.  I quietly listen, watch, think, and document everything though.  While my protective instincts tell me to stand up, yell, and scare the monsters away, I find a way to remember that The Great Law prevails and Onkwehonwe wish for the truth to be known.  I don’t know how my friends do it, but they do still have faith that love, peace, and righteousness will create a respectful friendship.

I personally find it disturbing, how the C.B.S.A badgers and verbally abuses the witnesses during this Human Rights Tribunal.  If you had a chance to be heard by the Human Rights Commission, how would you prepare yourself for further abuse from C.B.S.A. ?

This morning, we all gathered in the same vehicle to go attend the Human Rights Tribunal together.  We were all laughing and appreciated driving by the sign at the crossroads that read ‘We Love You Fallan and We Support You’.  The sign was up at the Crossroads, the only road leading north out of Kawehno:ke, so everyone in our community will see it when we travel north from our homes. 

We were happy that the vehicle line-up on the bridge was very short, so we actually did not have to wait for long to get to the C.B.S.A. blockade on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall Ontario.  I was feeling happy to know that Teiohontathe Fallan was scheduled to only endure 30 more minutes of abusive interrogation. 

When we pulled up to the C.B.S.A. blockade, the agents recognized all of us right away.  Today was different, because for the past few months, the same agents never asked any of us for identification when we passed through.  They asked us where we were coming from.  We told the C.B.S.A. agents that we were on our way to the Human Rights Tribunal.  She asked for all of us to provide identification.  Some of our team are not members or citizens of Canada, USA, Mohawks, nor Akwesasne.  The C.B.S.A. agent said that she will not accept their identification cards, and we responded by yelling ‘We will Never carry your government IDs, Never!’. 

Suddenly, more C.B.S.A. agents drove up and parked their vehicle in front of ours.  More C.B.S.A. agents approached every side of our vehicle, and some were putting black leather gloves on.  One or two started barking orders at our driver, yelling at her, accusing her of derogatory activities.  She got out of the car and tried to help him calm down.  I was sitting behind our driver and I asked the C.B.S.A. agents why they were trying to escalate issues with us.

More C.B.S.A. agents approached the left side of our vehicle and demanded that ‘Janet Davis’ get out of our vehicle now.  We asked them why and they would not answer us.  More C.B.S.A. agents gathered around the back of our vehicle with our driver.  The C.B.S.A. agent stayed sitting inside their tiny booth, and he turned his back towards us when our cameras pointed towards him. 

The C.B.S.A. agents drove Katenies over to their small trailer in a fenced in compound, next to Hiebert’s restaurant.  We followed them over and asked them why they were arresting Katenies.  The C.B.S.A. agentt #16210 stated that he did not know why he took Katenies away from us.  He also stated that he will not provide form E67 nor any information, nor any documents about why he put Katenies in a holding room

Another C.B.S.A. agent did not have a badge number on, so I asked him what his badge number is.  He scoffed at me and said he does not have to wear his badge number.  His superior (#16210) stated that hiding their badge numbers is ‘an internal matter’ and that I should not be concerned.  The C.B.S.A. agent with no badge number, scoffed again and went back to writing in his notebook while he looked over my identification card.  He was in a black uniform and wore a gun.

I went outside and got a camera and returned to the C.B.S.A. trailer with more of our group.  More of us asked again why they are not wearing their badge numbers and #16210 stated again that its an internal matter and that they don’t have to wear their badge numbers.  We pointed our cameras at them, and the C.B.S.A. agent (that previously refused to wear his badge number), ran into a back room and grabbed a badge number (#20372).  He walked back to me, while putting a badge number on, then he took it back off and held it in front of our cameras smiling.  I have to wonder if that was even his real badge number.

Luckily, someone was able to phone the Human Rights Tribunal Commision and let them know that we were not able to attend the planned Tribunal, because C.B.S.A. was holding us up, refusing to state why they put Katenies in handcuffs and took her away to Bail Court.

We followed them to the Bail Court in Cornwall and waited from the morning until 4:15pm.  They finally brought Katenies out to the Bail Court room and refused to let her go.  The judge threatened to hold her until she agreed to get a lawyer.  He stated that he did not want to hear her case, because their Crown Prosecutor wanted to spend at least 3 hours working on Katenies.

The last time C.B.S.A. got this Human Rights Tribunal cancelled, it was because Teiohontathe Fallan Davis chose to beleive that C.B.S.A. lawyer, Sean Goudet needed to take time off, because he stated that his close family member had a serious illness.  How many more tricks will C.B.S.A. pull out of their bag, as an attempt to stop this Human Rights Tribunal from being heard?

Because the RCMP violently attacks Indians that refuse to become tax-paying citizens of Canada, Indians are forced to operate on their waters and lands with no lights at night. The St. Lawrence River is a water highway within Akwesasne.

Akwesasne is in a unique position: because the U.S.A. & Canada are pushing and intimidating Onkwehonwe to become fully assimilated, tax paying citizens of their corporations. Indians in Akwesasne still refuse to become citizens of the USA and Canada corporations.

Quebec, Ontario, and New York state politicians are seen criminalizing Indians that refuse to become citizens of their governments. They frequently run media blitzes to criminalize all Indians, just before hiring surrounding police and military groups to violently attack Indians that refuse to pay taxes and become full citizens. see previous post about CJOH, 1997 NY State Troopers violently attack Onondaga, the Oka Crisis

“A fisherman complained about shots being fired over his head, this past summer”, RCMP Sgt. Michael Harvey said. Harvey claims the boat must have strayed too close to Akwesasne and “they told him to get the hell out of there.” That is another example (of many) of how Cornwall RCMP Sgt. Michael Harvey frequently uses the mainstream media to criminalize the entire Akwesasne community and all Indians.

Harvey believes the tobacco trade is a crime when Indians are profiting, because they are not paying taxes like good citizens of Canada or USA. Harvey goes as far as to claim that all Indians that do not pay taxes to Canada or the USA, are all criminals that finance organized crime!

“Some 25 of 105 known criminal organizations operating in Canada are at work in Cornwall”, Harvey told the Star.
“These gangs are not only involved in smuggling tobacco, but in taking drugs back into the U.S. on the return trips. They also engage in firearms and people smuggling”, Harvey said.

The RCMP published a confidential document that raises concerns that Indian tobacco businesses are used to fund terrorism, a fear shared by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If the Indians agree to fully assimilate, become full tax paying citizens of Canada or the USA, the RCMP might stop falsely criminalizing and violently punishing all Indians?

The RCMP stole 1,079,529 cartons of Indian cigarettes, in 2008. The Mounties’ stole 625,659 cartons from Indian tobacco businesses in 2007. That is not counting the underground business where rogue officers do not claim the cigarettes and cash, they steal from Indian tobacco dealers.

A smoker caught with Indian cigarettes in Ontario risks minimum fine of $500 from Ontario Ministry of Finance enforcement officers.

Harvey, Sgt. of the Cornwall RCMP: “We know of businesses receiving cash payments for high-end goods from those involved in the (Indian tobacco trade). Large amounts of money are being generated by this black market economy and is being spent in the Cornwall region.”

Indian businesses are not new to Akwesasne and Cornwall. Locals remember when the high cost of disposable diapers in Canada sparked a brisk underground trade with Indian businesses in Akwesasne.

The big money comes from the distribution side. According to police, one of their made-up kingpin cartoon characters, admitted to making $250,000 a week, while a courier transporting the Indian cigarettes to smoke shacks on reserves pockets up to $6,000 a week. The green-eyed jealousy monster rears its ugly head amongst the RCMP that are so busy criminalizing Indians, that they are no longer able to keep their own backyards and homes clean.

“Our investigations have revealed that many of the runners are involved in the illicit tobacco trade because they can make quick and easy money. It has always been the case and more so now since the economy has been affected by the recession.” Wow, I didn’t realize that tobacco business is quick and easy money. R.J. Reynolds and non-Indian business men say it is work. No? Oh, I get it, only Indians will be falsely accused of earning quick and easy money by the RCMP.

A trial project this summer saw Canadian and American law enforcement officials work side-by-side on Canadian Coast Guard ships, which allowed the ships to bully Indians in their own homelands and waters on both sides of the international border.

“Those ships will be operating soon with joint law enforcement officers on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, other coastal waterways. That’ll give us a very powerful tool on ( stopping all Indian businesses )” he said.

The federal government also created the task force on (Indian Tobacco Products), led by Van Loan’s ministry. The strategy calls for targeting resources to dismantle the manufacturing plants, disrupt supply lines and discourage consumption from any Indian business.

A C.B.S.A. union agent demanded that Steve Barnes step out of his vecicle, at the C.B.S.A. union agents’ makeshift checkpoint on the north edge of the Akwesasne northern International Bridge.  Steve stepped out of his vehicle and started reaching for his ID because the C.B.S.A. union agent requested that he provide her with his I.D.

When Steve, reached to his pocket to get his I.D., the C.B.S.A. union agent that asked for his I.D., responded by reaching for her gun (but did not draw it).

When Steve was being arrested, he asked that his hands be cuffed in the front.  C.B.S.A. union agents and officers,  ignored Steve’s request, and tried to force Steve’s hands around his back and handcuff him.

Steve resisted having his arms yanked around to his back, so the C.B.S.A. union agents and officers pepper sprayed Steve Barnes.

Witnesses also state that Steve is a tall large strong man and that he did not appear to be of any kind of threat to anyone.  Witnesses also state that it was very scary and traumatizing to  witness how the C.B.S.A union agent was trying to intimidate Steve and escalated the incident by attacking Steve Barnes, in front of his wife and grandchild.

Original Post on November 9, 2009 @ 6:30:  According to witnesses, on saturday night around 8:30 pm (nov. 7 2009) Mr. Barnes, his wife, and grandchild were traveling to cornwall ontario from their home on Kawehno:ke (cornwall island).  They stopped their vehicle at the makeshift C.B.S.A. checkpoint at the edge of the north span bridge, north of Kawehno:ke (cornwall island, ontario).

A C.B.S.A. union agent (large red haired female with angry disposition), demanded that Mr. Barnes show his Indian Status Card as I.D.  Mr. Barnes, stated that he was coming from Kawehno:ke (cornwall island), and that the C.B.S.A. union agent, sees him many times every day.  Mr. Barnes questioned the C.B.S.A. union agents motives for demanding to see his I.D. at that time.  Mr. Barnes’s wife (in passenger seat), told him to just show his I.D. so they could get to their destination on time.  Mr. Barnes reached for his wallet in his pocket, and the C.B.S.A union agent responded by reaching for her gun!

Mr. Barnes freaked out, put his hands up, and started shouting ‘Why are you drawing your gun on me?’.  The C.B.S.A. union agent then put her hands on Mr. Barnes, as he was freaking out, because she had just pulled her gun on him, seconds before.  Police arrived on the scene, at the C.B.S.A makeshift checkpoint and at least 4  more C.B.S.A. union agents, jumped on Mr. Barnes and sprayed pepper spray into his face.

Mr. Barnes was taken to the local hospital by ambulance.  The last I heard, he did survive the C.B.S.A. attack, he and his family is back home, and his grandchild that was in the backseat of his vehicle was quite traumatized by the attack.  Within a few hours after the attack, a local newspaper’s website showed viewer comments about Akwesasne, falsely stating that Mr. Barnes was drunk and pulled a weapon on the C.B.S.A. union agents.  Witnesses, family members, and friends of Mr. Barnes state that he absolutely does not drink alcohol of any kind, at any time, ever.

If a bully pulled their gun on you, as you tried to hand over whatever they demanded from you, what would you do?

I wrote about this incident as it was happening, on Saturday night.  You can find the original post at C.B.S.A. mace Onkwehonwe on Akwesasne Bridge.  Many witnesses have video, pictures, and stories to share, because as this incident occurred, the bridge was fully loaded with vehicles for about a mile.  The bridge is usually loaded with vehicles, even though it is dangerously old and crumbling.  Concrete is typically seen falling down into the St. Lawrence river and ground below the bridge.

Google Map of Akwesasne, Kawehno:ke, Cornwall Island, Cornwall Ontario.
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map with videos

October 27, 2009
The Hon. Peter Van Loan
Minister of Public Safety
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Van Loan:

As you are no doubt aware from your briefings, the Cornwall International Crossing issue has not been resolved. In fact, and according to recent media reports, negotiations are at a standstill and progress has been non-existent.

While it is not my intent to burden you with opposition rhetoric, MP Bob Rae, during a visit to Cornwall, offered the following observation and I should point out he readily acknowledges the issue to be a complex one. According to Mr. Rae, “This can’t be seen as a minor issue for the [CBSA] agency to solve. It can’t be treated as a bureaucratic issue. It requires leadership on both sides.”

Speaking for the entire Chamber, I am in accord with Mr. Rae’s assessment and it follows that the time has come for the government to intervene. Both you and local MP, Guy Lauzon have stated that CBSA and Mohawk leaders have the ability to successfully negotiate without government assistance. Regrettably, that has not happened and the Chamber believes it is time for the government as a whole and your Ministry in particular to take an active role in steering the issue to a satisfactory close.

To that end, the Chamber strongly urges you to visit Cornwall and view, first hand, the situation and to meet with the parties involved. It is the Chamber’s view that until that kind of leadership is demonstrated, productive negotiations will not continue and the matter will not be resolved.

The uncertainty of the future with respect to Cornwall remaining an international crossing is already having an impact on the economic health of Cornwall and its surrounding region and may well affect the ability of the municipality to attract business, industry and new residents.

From a broader perspective, the issue is impacting both sides of the border. Moreover, it is serving to tarnish the image of a community that has strived to position itself as a desirable place to work and to live. Without your intervention and that of your Ministry, the impact will continue to affect the entire region.

Respectfully submitted,
Scott Armstrong
President

c.

Bob Kilger, Mayor of Cornwall
Guy Lauzon, MP
Mike Mitchell, Grand Chief: Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

I pray that none of our loved ones are on that bridge.