Mohawks of Akwesasne will be hosting an engagement session on the Jay Treaty and Border Crossing Rights with interested Chiefs at the Chelsea Inn in Toronto on October 25th, 2022, during the upcoming Indigenous Services Joint Session and on December 6, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario.

For more information, please find letter below or download the letter here: LTR_ONTARIO CHIEFS JAY TREATY INVITE

 

From the Office of the Grand Chief

She:kon/Greetings Chief,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

The Mohawks of Akwesasne are situated on the St. Lawrence River, with the Racquette River and St. Regis River also winding through our community. Long after the Mohawks were situated in Akwesasne, the international border between Canada and the United States was drawn through our community, creating northern and southern portions of Akwesasne, along with Quebec, Ontario, and New York sections. Since this time, our Nation members have experienced challenges and systemic racism when attempting to cross border for work, personal or leisure matters. This action is a continual violation of our rights and is in stark contrast to the principles established in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Canada’s intention to implement them.

It is for this reason that the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) sought resources to facilitate dialogue with Akwesasne members and First Nations concerning the Jay Treaty and inherent rights border crossing. The MCA is looking to host two sessions to discuss your Nations perspectives of border crossing, and to seek considerations for recommendations to Canada on how Border Crossing Rights can be recognized and implemented under the Canadian “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.”

I would like to invite you to attend one of the sessions being held to engage in this dialogue:

October 25, 2022
5pm-7pm
Toronto, Ontario, Delta Chelsea Hotel

December 6, 2022
5pm-8pm
Ottawa, Ontario, Location TBD

If you have any further questions about this meeting, please contact me at grand.chief@akwesanse.ca or Amy Lickers amylickers@allconsulting.ca for further information.

Sken:nen / Peace,

Abram Benedict