“It’s the people of Akwesasne who this is really hurting because they go back and forth to see their family,” Girard said. “The people are upset, but they understand that it’s not our doing. It’s Canada’s.”

PEACE CRUCIAL

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council offered its support for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, saying that keeping the peace is the most important issue.

“Four peacekeepers have been appointed to monitor the situation and keep people calm,” Chief James Ransom said. “They are all well-respected community members who are level-headed and capable.

“Establishing a meaningful dialogue between the Akwesasne community and the Canadian government is going to be a key part of resolving the current situation,” he said in a news release.

TREATMENT

Plans to issue a sidearm to agents starting June 1 only heightened an already tense situation, where past allegations of racial profiling and intimidation of some Mohawk people surfaced.

“We have had a variety of problems between some border guards and community members when they are crossing the border,” Chief Monica Jacobs said.

“Complaints have been filed about how community members have been treated, and these issues need to be looked at so we can move forward.”

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Tim Thompson said his government considered declaring a state of emergency during the protest and continues to call for negotiations with Canadian representatives.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at:

draymo@pressrepublican.com