Akwesasne People's Fire

LIBERAL CRITICS VISIT CORNWALL

LIBERAL CRITICS VISIT CORNWALL AND CALL FOR A FEDERAL MEDIATOR IN THE CBSA BORDER DISPUTE WITH AKWESASNE

In the breeze this afternoon two Liberal critics voiced their criticism of the Conservative Party and their lack of resolution concerning this long border dispute. They condemned the Conservative government and called for a federal mediator to resolve the matter.

The Liberal candidate for the local riding, Ms Bernadette Clement was also present for this press conference.

Both the Liberal Public Safety Critic and Aboriginal Affairs Critic Todd Russell have visited the area previously. They had toured Akwesasne during the bridge closure and we had a chance to speak with them at the Akwesasne Peoples Fire.

With the effects of this border dispute and the change in the economics of Akwesasne and the community of Cornwall, maybe this interest that has been made by the Liberals will assist in getting the Conservatives to rethink this issue.

One of the bigest concerns for those that traverse the bridge frequently is the safety of those using the bridge. We saw first hand last summer the results of an electrical fire in a tanker truck.

What would have happened if the fire was worse? Where do you go when the bridge is blocked by an accident? What is the emergency plan for the bridge?

My personal family members are EMTs and must travel that bridge and they have to use the lane that is for the oncoming traffic. I have concerns for their safety and that they could be involved in an accident on the bridge.

We need to work together to obtain a solution for this impasse. The Akwesasne Peoples Fire has maintained it's presence at the four corners of Kawehnoke since last summer and we will be there until there is a solution!

FUND RAISING AND CELEBRATIONS

RAFFLE FOR PRINT BY CHARLOTTE KING AND OTHER NEWS ITEMS

A raffle was held on March 20, 2010 for a print by Charlotte King. This was one of two prints that have been donated by Charlotte King as a fund raiser for the building. The winner of the print was Char David from Kanatakon.

A big nia:wenkowa to all who supported our latest fund raiser. We especially would like to thank all of the ticket sellers for their continued efforts to pay off the building.

We have been fund raising for some time now and have paid for more than half of the building. We are looking forward to several more fund raisers in the coming months.

Some of our elders have become sick and we need to keep our spirits up and stand together in this struggle with the Canada Border Services Agency. Our thoughts and prayers go to our elders who have medical issues at this time.

On Sunday evening we celebrated with a birthday party for one of our members who was a volunteer during the summer months. Joyce Gaspe was surprised with a pot luck meal on Sunday evening to celebrate her birthday. An evening of laughter and humor was enjoyed by all who attended.

On Monday evening a group of us from the Akwesasne Peoples Fire attended the first district meeting with our newly elected chiefs. It was an interesting evening with plenty of dialogue concerning the laws of Akwesasne and many of the land disputes. It will certainly be an interesting year with all of the interest in local and international politics.

We continue to seek donations to help defray the costs of the building and also the upkeep of the building. We have electricity, telephone and toiletry expense invoices to pay on a monthly basis. Any help that you can provide would be of assistance to us as we continue to have a presence on the four corners of Kawehnoke.

Members of the Akwesasne Peoples Fire are still being asked to attend CBSA when issues arise. Our role has been as peace keepers and letting CBSA do their paperwork without tempers flaring. Our people need to be educated on their rights and appropriate voices when being detained for secondary inspections.

We are looking forward to the spring and getting together in better weather. The anniversary of the CBSA walkout is fast approaching and we can only hope that there will be a resolution shortly. We need to know the direction that our government will take in finding a solution.

DISTRICT CHIEFS TAKE OATHS

KAWEHNOKE DISTRICT CHIEFS SWORN IN

The four newly elected district chiefs for Kawehnoke were sworn in this morning March 15, 2009. The swearing in was done at the new chamber for the court.

Sheree Bonaparte opened with a brief overview of the past few months and getting to the point where an election was held. There was an appeal and it was found not to have merit.

Each chief was sworn in by Judge Cecilia Square. Brian David, Louise Thompson, Wesley Benedict and Abram Benedict each held a feather and read their oaths.

Congratulations to all and good luck during your term of office.

CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL HEARING POSTPONED

CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL HEARING POSTPONED INDEFINITLY

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearing for Fallan Davis vs Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been postponed indefinitly. The hearing was supposed to resume today March 15, 2010 in Cornwall, Ontario.

The lawyer for CBSA Sean Gaudet has filed a motion that charges the the chairperson Rejean Belanger has shown bias towards the complainant and put unfair restrictions on CBSA during cross-examination.

Officials at the Canadian Human Rights will be investigating this motion.

ANOTHER TACTIC BY CBSA?

CBSA LAWYER WANTS BELANGER REMOVED

Sean Gaudet who is the lawyer for Canada Border Services (CBSA), wants the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal chairperson Rejean Belanger removed over concerns of bias. This will be argued on Monday when the tribunal hearings continue.

Gaudet feels that Chairperson Belanger should be replaced because he has shown bias in favor of Akwesasne based complainant Teiohontathe Fallan Davis. He will also state that Chairperson Belanger issued unfair restrictions against CBSA.

The hearing is expected to resume on March 15, 2010 in Cornwall, Ontario.

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