For Immediate Release
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory – The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council
will continue to take its lead from the leadership of Akwesasne with respect
to the contentious issue of arming Canadian Border guards within the Akwesasne
Mohawk Territory.
The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council was formally approached by the Mohawk
Council of Akwesasne asking for a formal letter of support urging Canada to
engage in respectful and meaningful dialogue with the leadership of Akwesasne.
Chief R. Donald Maracle sent a formal request to Prime Minister Stephen Harper
on behalf of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Council urging senior federal officials
to meet with Mohawk Council of Akwesasne to seek a peaceful resolution to
the issue.
The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council has been in constant contact with the
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne who specifically indicated that it is not asking
for other communities to conduct sympathy blockades which they fear may result
in harming their discussions. Neither the council of Akwesasne or Tyendinaga
is supportive of the blocking of Skyway Bridge. “Shawn Brant was made
aware on Saturday, June 6, 2009, that the Akwesasne leadership did not want
a sympathy blockade as it might cause delays in getting the government to
engage in discussions,” says Chief Maracle.
The Council understands the frustrations of those who have been turned
back on both sides of the bridge and that people need to get to and from their
jobs and appointments. The Tyendinaga Mohawk community is also frustrated
with these types of actions by a handful of individuals as their economy,
to a large extent, depends on the patronage and support from surrounding communities.
The rights and jurisdiction of Akwesasne and their leadership must
be respected. The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council is asking that residents who wish
to support Akwesasne make their concerns known in writing to the Government
of Canada through their local Member of Parliament, directly to Prime Minister
Stephen Harper, or the Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan.
— The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council
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