CBSA had their own legal representative present at the meeting.  After the meeting had started, CBSA suddenly demanded that MCA remove their own legal representative from the meeting.  MCA refused to remove their own legal representative from the meeting, so CBSA responded by leaving the meeting.

Last Friday, on October 2nd 2009, MCA and CBSA agreed to attend the meeting and report to their court.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Leadership Task Force, indicated grave concerns about CBSA’s recent actions of stealing vehicles from Onkwehonwe and holding the vehicles for ransom.  The Akwesasne Mohawk Leadership Task Force, believe that CBSA’s recent actions are detrimental to the negotiations process.

CBSA states that they are obligated to steal vehicles and demand ransom from Onkwehonwe that live on Kawehno:ke (aka Cornwall Island), because of the Canadian citizens’, ‘Customs Act, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.  Readers of this blog can use the SEARCH feature at the top right, to search for information about the ‘Customs Act’ and the ‘Immigration and Refugee Protection Act’.

The Akwesasne Leadership Task Force reminded CBSA that they are obligated to consult and accommodate the rights and needs of the Akwesasne community.  They also stated that handing out pamphlets and putting up billboards is not consultation.

The Akwesasne Leadership Task Force also stated that the new reporting demands from CBSA, was placing undue burdens on the Akwesasne community and the delivery of essential government services ( education,  health care, social services, cultural, work, etc. )

The Akwesasne Leadership Task Force suggested alternative reporting systems were already used at other ports, so CBSA does have the ability to accommodate their request. (ie: travelers can report their movements with a phone call, rather than sitting in vehicle lineups on the bridge, each time they leave or return from their homes on Kawehno:ke).

Grand Chief Mike Mitchell stated “The seizure of vehicles from Mohawks has created a grave situation for the Akwesasne community.  While CBSA has a statutory mandate, it must be balanced with their duty to consult and accommodate the aboriginal rights and interest of the Mohawks of Akwesasne”.

“I am disappointed with the decision of CBSA and Government of Canada to end discussion with the Mohawks of Akwesasne”, said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo, “I urge the Government of Canada to recognize the seriousness of the situation and agree to a mediation process”.

For more information from MCA contact: Brendan White, Communications, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, (613) 575-2348 ext. 2207, brendan.white@akwesasne.ca

original story: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2009/05/c4144.html

MCA, CBSA, and legal representatives are negotiating today, Monday October 5, 2009.  A federal court agreed to hear  MCA’s position that the CBSA must stop stealing vehicles from Onkwehonwe that travel to Cornwall Ontario.  CBSA also must stop demanding a ransom of $1000.00 each time they steal a vehicle from Onkwehonwe.  **note: MCA speaks for themselves and they use different terminology than I do.

Most Onkwehonwe that refuse to be labeled as Canadian citizens, refuse to travel to Cornwall Ontario with their own vehicles. They choose to not recognize CBSA union as having any right to steal property from Onkwehonwe.  For those that must travel in places where the CBSA union is, they are carpooling and finding alternative ways to travel.  Many have completely stopped going to Cornwall for any reason, because of the threat that CBSA union will steal property at any time, from any Onkwehonwe.

MCA does recognize the British North American Act (Canada) as being their employer, so they bind themselves to follow the rules, laws, and beliefs that Canada creates to control it’s own members, citizens, and property.  Canada, as most readers know, change their rules, laws, and beliefs as they go along, depending on what is the most beneficial for their goal of ultimate control and ownership over everything they can imagine.

All Onkwehonwe have family, friends, and neighbors that have become members or citizens of MCA to survive.  Over the years, Onkwehonwe choose to become members by force, trickery, harassment, and various threats like we see today when the CBSA union steals vehicles from Onkwehonwe.  We experience and live with Self-Induced Oppression today, in most of the decisions we face on a daily basis.

Onkwehonwe that choose to shed or keep the membership and/or citizenship labels off themselves, are also threatened by the idea that their friends, family, and neighbors that have accepted the membership / citizenship labels of Canada or USA, will be punished for as long as they refuse to not join in the self-induced oppression.

Oppressive threats that Onkwehonwe face on a daily lifetime basis around Akwesasne include:

• Criminalization of all Onkwehonwe by mainstream media, surrounding law enforcement agencies, cbsa union,
• Barricading our roads, causing our elderly to remember past violent eras.
• CBSA Union stealing vehicles, cash from specific Onkwehonwe, while treating other Onkwehonwe respectfully.
• Non-Onkwehonwe come into our community during times of crisis and try to trick Onkwehonwe to start infighting, lateral oppression, and lateral violence against Onkwehonwe family, friends, and neighbors in Akwesasne.

Sometimes, Onkwehonwe that are suffering as Canadian and/ USA citizens, are tricked into, or rewarded when they help the government to criminalize or  fully assimilate any Onkwehonwe that has not allowed themselves to become governed or owned by USA or Canada.

Many Canadians and USA citizens are often confused by Akwesasne.  They don’t understand how so many of us exist here that do not agree with each other.  I think the best answer to that confusion, is a simple reminder that we are all family here in Akwesasne.  We are not perfect.  We are all Onkwehonwe when we find the truth about our origins.