Aboriginal Discontent

Insisting that they are an authority unto themselves, as a sovereign nation, the Akwesasne Mohawks have government at a standstill at the Canadian border before the Seaway International Bridge between Ontario and New York. In response to threats from Mohawk Warriors furious that the long-promised arming of Canada Border Services Agency guards is imminent, the government has temporarily shut down the post on the reserve.

The Akwesasne Reserve is well known, on both sides of the border, as a venue for illicit smuggling. Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, take your pick. And more latterly, people. The Reserve is an oasis of illegal and criminal activity, tolerated by the community itself as an expression of contempt for the fiction of Canadian control of aboriginal lands. Leave it to angry young men whatever their derivation to pose as community heroes, defiant of outside authority.

Claiming sovereignty and daring the federal presence to impose itself where it is not wanted, and does not belong, these warriors wearing quasi-military gear, masked and well armed, acquit themselves as righteous soldiers protecting their communities from an invasion of a foreign entity. Both governments, that of Canada and of the United States, where the St.Regis Mohawk Reserve straddles the border, are wary of provoking aboriginal outrage.

Both are content to permit their native populations to live with the fiction that they are extra-territorial and fully autonomous. On the Canadian side, that border is now closed, until such time as talks between the local community and government agents come to a workable agreement. But the Canada Border Security Agency will not back down on its already-delayed arming of its officers.

While the Mohawk council of Akwesasne claims in good faith to being committed to a peaceful solution, the hothead Mohawk Warriors spoil for a good physical interaction that they feel will prove their militant-hero status to the community, giving them reason to strut in a victory parade. Border guards have reason to fear for their safety given the emotionally charged atmosphere at any given time.

Arming border guards as they requested seemed a reasonable adjustment to a situation faced by the guards where they must be alert to all the facets of the jurisdictional problems related to the border and the constant smuggling that ensues. A dozen tobacco factories on the U.S. side issue illegal cigarettes to be smuggled into Canada, a profitable trade for the Mohawks.

That the border guards were unarmed was a plus; the change, arming officers, makes things more problematical for the illegal trade. It isn't however, that this border in particular has been singled out for the arming of CBSA officers, rather it is all borders where potentially violent incidents may occur, across the country. Border officers felt they would be more prepared to deal with problems if they held the authority of arms.

But it is not the illegal trade of tobacco products, drugs, weapons and people that the Mohawk Warriors are defending, it is the defense "of the land" that has them standing tall and well armed against a government whom they claim has no business intruding on their geography and their lucrative business dealings.