CFN- No one expects to be a Break and Enter (B&E) crime statistic.  It is very common for a victim of Break and Enter to experience many emotions, fears and stress as a result of this type of offence.  In partnership with Justice Canada, Victim Services of SDG&A with the support of local police services have developed a Break & Enter pilot project to better assist victims of B & E.This project consists of ensuring that B&E victims receive support and information to help ease their concerns, answer any questions they may have and provide security recommendations.  Victims of a B&E can be sent an information package by mail as a first step.

“This is a wonderful new initiative funded by Justice Canada and we hope to be able to provide the support and assistance that victims of B&E need and deserve” states Diane Plourde, Executive Director of Victim Services.  “People often don’t realize the traumatic effect a B&E can have on individuals, including children.  It is a violation of one’s private space.  We want to be able to assist victims in dealing with what has happened and help them feel more secure”.  

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CFN – When representatives of Niagara Gas Transmission Limited (NGTL), an Enbridge company, met on January 20, 2012 with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) to officially mark the presentation of a $1 million cheque, it was the latest step in an ongoing relationship that has developed between the company and this First Nation community near Cornwall, Ontario.

The contribution is part of the Cooperation and Land Use Agreement between the MCA and NGTL, signed in 2009 to benefit the community. The agreement commits NGTL to a one-time infrastructure payment of $1 million and ongoing annual payments of about $100,000 over the next 20 years for the use of land through which an NGTL pipeline runs.

Since the early 1960s, NGTL and Enbridge have safely operated a pipeline, which crosses the St. Lawrence River and Cornwall Island and delivers natural gas to St. Lawrence Gas (an NGTL affiliate) in northern New York State.  That pipeline previously crossed the North Channel of the river to Cornwall Island via the North Channel Bridge, owned by Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL).  When FBCL announced plans nearly a decade ago to replace this bridge, NGTL and Enbridge began exploring alternative crossing options, which led to negotiations with the MCA. The resulting agreement facilitated the construction of a new subsurface pipeline crossing, installed in late 2011 using horizontal directional drilling.

Lisa Lawler, NGTL’s President, said the negotiations and the resulting agreement demonstrate the commitment by both sides to work together to build a strong and ongoing relationship.

“The relationship between the MCA and NGTL and Enbridge is one that I am extremely proud of,” said Lawler.  “Throughout the past decade, we have built a relationship that is as a model of how working together in an open and transparent manner can achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell, the MCA Grand Chief, added:

“Akwesasne has been engaged in a process to define and re-define its relationship with external agencies and governments that recognizes our jurisdiction and decision-making authority to determine how our lands will be utilized for the benefit of the Mohawks of Akwesasne.”

During construction of the replacement pipeline crossing, representatives from Enbridge Gas Distribution (EGD), operating on behalf of NGTL, bought materials and rented workspace from local businesses.  They also structured contracts that favoured the hiring of Akwesasne workers and contractors to the greatest extent possible. And they worked closely with the MCA’s Department of the Environment on a Harmonized Environmental Assessment Report, which incorporates traditional knowledge into project plans.

Lawler said the agreement provides the foundation for an ongoing relationship with NGTL and Enbridge that will contribute to long-term opportunities. For example, as part of the agreement, the companies have agreed to work with the MCA to conduct a feasibility study on the merits of the community operating a natural gas distribution system in the Akwesasne Territory.

“The benefits come not just because of the agreement’s initial million-dollar infrastructure payment and ongoing annual payments, but through our plans to continue to work together,” explained Lawler.

Pictured above from left:  Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne; Lisa Lawler, President, NGTL and Guy Jarvis, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution unite to mark a Cooperation & Land Use Agreement at an official ceremony at the Tri District Elders Lodge, Kawehnoke (Cornwall Island, Akwesasne).

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CFN - Some scary moments as a man on top of the bridge between Akwesasne, Canada, and New York State stopped traffic.  The bridge was closed down for about an hour before the man safely made his way down.

The incident happened Sunday December 18th, at approximately 11:30 AM.   It appears that the man stopped and had a smoke at the top of the bridge before coming down.

We will update this for you as more information becomes available.

Thanks to a viewer that sent in these pics.  If you see news email us at info@cornwallfreenews.com or call our hotline at 613 361 1755

Wine Kitz Gift Certificates Will Make Your Special Someone Smile!

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CFN - Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell will travel to the Attawapiskat First Nation on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, along with the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo and Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. The Grand Chief’s trip follows an invitation from the National Chief’s Office to accompany Chiefs Atleo and Toulouse, as well as Aboriginal entertainer Susan Agulkark and motivational speaker Waneek Horn-Miller, on a personal visit and assessment of Attawapiskat.

The Grand Chief will also be traveling at the request of the Mohawk Council to gauge the alarming situation at Attawapiskat, which has been the focus of national media attention during the past weeks. The Grand Chief’s personal assessment will determine what items and/or expertise are urgently needed by the First Nation; such as technical and trade skills, multi-year planning and experience with community housing.

“Akwesasne can help with any of these specific areas,” stated Grand Chief Mitchell. He added, “We know that there is a massive drive underway across the country to send used clothing and other emergency items, but we need to look at what will bring long-term stability to the community.”

The primary purpose of trip is to see what First Nations communities can do to help other First Nations, as we learn that Attawapiskat is not an isolated situation. In addition to Attawapiskat, there are reports of more than 100 First Nations communities in northern Canada that are experiencing similar setbacks; with improper educational facilities, untreated sewage and insufficient drinking water, as well as substandard housing.

An increasing number of First Nations need help in developing housing and safety codes that will protect their families and communities. First Nations, such as Akwesasne, can assist in these areas by providing its firsthand knowledge and technical assistance. Some items that the MCA hopes to share is Akwesasne’s experience in overseeing water and wastewater treatment facilities, community housing developments, as well as the training of highly-skilled professionals like firefighters and police officers.

The Grand Chief stated that, “The MCA has received numerous calls from local and regional organizations associated with educational institutions and the business community, both in Cornwall and Akwesasne, that are interested in volunteering for fundraising efforts.” He added, “We appreciate their willingness and look forward to developing a plan where their help will be most effective.”

The trip to Attawapiskat is being sponsored by RIM, the company that produces the popular Blackberry product line.

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I read your post on the Cornwall Free News on the border situation and agree that there are more questions than answers concerning border security, policing and setting precedents.

We have known for some time that the North American Union is in the works, is always on the back burner and kept away from the public eye. This Conservative government is operating in complete secrecy, beating civil servants over the head and running everything out of the PMO.

Guy Lauzon is out of the loop. In the Conservative government the MP’s are simply puppets doing the bidding of Harper. They are irrelevant and powerless. The House of Commons is a toothless tiger.

I wrote about the border situation exactly two years ago and have posted that article below. I believed then, as I do now, that Canada is undergoing “deep integration” with the United States and has been doing that for quite a while. It got started under Paul Martin and I think it has always been part of Harper’s plan from the beginning. It’s never in the media because the government doesn’t want any opposition to its plan of integration.

Things are going to get worse before they get better. I think the whole ‘smuggling’ issue is a huge diversion in order to create a crisis and then get government to fix it. But the problem is that they we have no say in what the ‘fix’ will be. With technology, surveillance and communications today the government could take out smugglers on the St. Lawrence River if it wanted to. I think they’re letting it happen. You have to examine all possibilities.

A future Canadian government press release might read like this:

“In view of the continuation of the dangerous smuggling activities in the Cornwall/Lancaster region, we have             decided to combine policing and border service initiatives with the United States and integrate these services     for the safety and protection of Canadian citizens.”

Don’t you feel better already?

David Icke calls this ” problem/reaction/solution.” The government creates a crisis so it can bring in often unpopular legislation as the ‘fix.’ Would the Patriot Act ever have seen the light of day without 9/11? I think not.

Our Canadian sovereignty will became part of history unless we apply political pressure now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RAoNMmoy5s

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

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CFN - I’m sure Pierre Trudeau is not happy wherever he is today….   While I didn’t agree with everything he stood for I was always proud of his relationship with the US.  In his memoirs his advice to Brian Mulroney:

” …be friends with the United States– the Canadian people like the Americans –

but don’t be subservient to the American government, because Canadians are a very proud people.” 

Those lines are becoming very fuzzy with the new agreement to allow officers of the law from both countries to traverse the borders.  We could have US law enforcement making arrests and possibly even ending the lives of Canadians on our soil.   There are different laws in each country.   This is murky and dark waters that we are now entering and as seen in the Soft Wood lumber situation when the 800 pound Gorilla that the US is decides something Canada is not in a position to do much if anything.

Our slippery slope started with Brian Mulroney and NAFTA.    Free Trade hasn’t really been free with the US having claims on our resources and potentially its huge Insurance and Drug lobbies ending Medicare as we know it.

Mix in the new Crime bill that the Harper Government has jammed through and it almost makes Alex Jones make sense….

Here in Cornwall Ontario today it hit the media that the new permanent Canadian border crossing; the entrance into our sovereign country will be on US soil.     That’s scary on a lot of levels and precedent that I’m not sure I like.

The back ground and trail of actions (or inaction) is frightening too.   It’s something out of 1984 or a movie.

After generations of essentially peaceful use the Harper government announces that it will arm its border guards who until his regime essentially were tax collectors (that’s what they basically still are) The residents of Akwesasne, already a complicated community clearly stated that they didn’t want guns in their community.

The Canadian border crossing had for years been on the island dividing the US and Canada in between two bridges.  Akwesasne itself consisted (barring land claims) of areas covering NY, Quebec, and Ontario; an unique situation.

The Harper Government pulled their guards from the station and shut traffic for a period of time before creating a temporary border crossing in Cornwall Ontario.

In the meanwhile they forced the residents of Akwesasne returning from the US to have to stand in bridge traffic before returning home; something that literally could take hours extra to daily commutes.

It also caused a huge impact to the area economies of Massena NY, Cornwall Ontario, and Akwesasne itself.

Each step of the way the Harper point man, area MP Guy Lauzon was not present at one point even suggesting that the border crossing be moved to the old US building which had been demolished months before showing his complete disconnect of the situation.

I received this today from Chief Mike Mitchell of the MCA:

“The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne was not invited to participate in discussions last year to relocate Canada Customs alongside the U.S. Port-of-Entry in Rooseveltown, so it will need time to determine any implications that it may have on the Akwesasne community.”

Again, since 2009 when this started the communication between the Representatives of the area communities has been near nil and certainly not in good faith.   It’s been dictatorial.

Bernadette Clement, current Cornwall Ontario City Councilor and former Federal Liberal candidate had the following to say:

It seems an odd way to come by this very important information. It would have been good for us as a community to have been able to hear of this significant development directly from our local MP or from the appropriate Minister.The information that we do have, such as it is, through the government of Canada website, does seem to speak of the placement of border facilities on the U.S. side in Massena, NY. 

This could ease the situation in our traffic circle on Brookdale but the absence of more  detailed information makes it hard to know exactly how this will be implemented and what impact this will have on us all.   

This in the day of diminishing voter turn outs.  Actions are happening that are going to change our country, province, and city for an awfully long time.   We elect officials to represent us, but it seems that there’s a disconnect or simply a lack of accountability or care for what the public expects or wishes.

To the point that here in Canada our Federal government has decided to make decisions like this without consulting or communicating with the citizens it impacts the most.

Does Mr. Harper represent the Canadian people or the US government.  I wonder what Pierre Trudeau’s answer would be to that question?

You may post our non profanity filled or vicious personal attacked comments below.

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

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CFN - The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has taken an important step towards reestablishing ancestral trade networks with other First Nations. In a ceremony conducted during the Assembly of First Nation’s Special Chiefs Assembly held in Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday, December 6, 2011, MCA Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell rekindled one First Nations trade arrangement by signing a Nation-to-Nation Trade and Commerce Protocol with Huron-Wendat Nation of Wendake Grand Chief Konrad Haskan Sioui.

According to Grand Chief Mitchell, “The Mohawks of Akwesasne and Huron have a long history of sharing the region’s land and resources before the arrival of Europeans to Turtle Island.” He added, “The ancient tradition of free trade amongst First Nations has continued despite the imposition of a border between the colonial governments of the United States and Canada.”

The nation-to-nation agreement has been under consideration for the past few years, but gained momentum in October 2010 when Mohawk Council traveled to Wendake to discuss steps towards revitalizing the trade arrangement. It was an opportunity to recall traditional trade and commerce relationships that previously existed between the Mohawks of Akwesasne and the Huron-Wendat Nation.

The signed trade agreement recognizes that both First Nations are descendants of a people known as the Laurentian Iroquois, whom originally inhabited the St. Lawrence Valley. Together, the Mohawks of Akwesasne and the Huron-Wendat Nation share this heritage and have created a legacy of respect and collaboration that both First Nations wish to continue.

The document also recognizes that trade has been an integral part of our culture and is vital to our continued distinction as First Nations, which has supported discussions on the trade protocol’s development. Its development was further supported by Canada’s endorsement in November 2010 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that recognizes and protects the practices of traditional economies.

The Mohawk Council intends to use the trade agreement with the Huron-Wendat Nation, as well as those that it hopes to foster with other First Nations, to develop a secure and self-sufficient economy for the Akwesasne community. The MCA recognizes the benefit of sharing resources and experiences to improve our community’s economic and social conditions.

The next step for MCA is to establish a technical team to work in cooperation with the Huron-Wendat to share resources and identify economic development initiatives that will utilize the trade arrangement to create strong economies for both First Nations communities.

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CFN - It has now been 30 months since the Canadian Border Security Agency abandoned its post on the Cornwall Island district of Akwesasne by manufacturing a so-called “crisis” brought about by its insistence that its officers must be armed.

Doug George-Kanentiio, Akwesasne Mohawk, is the former editor of the journal Akwesasne Notes. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for the National Museum of the American Indian, co-founded the Native American Journalists Association and is a columnist for News From Indian Country. He resides in Oneida Castle, NY with his wife Joanne Shenandoah when he is not at his cabin east of Thompson Island. He is the author of “Iroquois on Fire” among other books.

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CFN - Tsiionhiakwatha (Droulers Archeological Site), Tsiiontoratstha (Lake Saint-Francis National Wildlife Reserve) and Ionkwanikonriio (Thompson Island Youth Camp) all have a long history of educating the public on their own about the Iroquois cultural heritage and environmental conservation. Earlier this year, they combined their resources and experiences to develop an eco-tourism project that earned them national recognition.

The intercultural eco-tour package, aptly named Tentsitewaiena (in Mohawk meaning, ‘Working Together Again’), won the 2011 SATQ—a national tourism award given by the Quebec Tourist Attraction’s Society. The award was bestowed upon Tentsitewaiena as a best new tourism product, which makes it a ‘must see’ attraction throughout the province of Quebec.

Born from the cooperation of neighboring Native and non-Native organizations working together, the eco-tourism project is a discovery of the extraordinary wildlife habitat in an environmentally responsible manner. It offers a truly unique journey into the heart of Mohawk culture and history that fulfills all the expectations of an eco-tourism experience.

Winning tourism awards is not new for Tsiionhiakwatha, which has accumulated seven regional and provincial awards since it was named a National Historic Site in 2007. The 2011 SATQ award however, is Tsiionhiakwatha’s first national award, as well as the first-ever award for Ionkwanikonriio and Tsiiontoratstha. The three organizations hope that the national acclaim for Tentsitewaiena will result in more tourists next summer.

Tentsitewaiena is an eco-tour adventure that includes an overnight stay in one of five re-created Iroquois longhouses at the archeological site, followed by a kayak or rabasca (canoe) experience that entails an education of local conservation efforts as paddlers make their way from Tsiiontoratstha to Ionkwanikonriio. Once at Ionkwanikonriio, tourists receive a guided nature walk that offers an explanation of natural medicines and foods, as well as a chance to hear from Akwesasne elders and community members about Mohawk traditional knowledge and teachings.

Since the eco-tour began it has been a popular outing for many schools, colleges, community organizations and other tourist groups located throughout the region.  This year’s inaugural season for Tenstitewaiena was a success, as the summer months were filled with reservations.

Tour organizers anticipate that next tourist season will be even more successful, so anyone interested in participating in this unique eco-tourism experience is encouraged to call 1-866-690-3030 or 450-264-3030 to reserve a date.

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 CFN - The Annual Akwesasne Basket Drive is anticipating another year of caring and sharing for families throughout the community. Every year the drive provides families in Akwesasne with holiday meals, gifts and family events that can be enjoyed by all. This year, the committee is excited to announce the 15th Annual Akwesasne Basket Drive Events. The Basket Drive is a non-profit organization that provides a holiday meal and toys for families in Akwesasne.

A $5.00 Benefit Breakfast and Lunch, donated by the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, will be held at the HAVFD #1 starting at 7:00 a.m. on December 16th. This year’s event will again feature Dick Laffin as Head Chef, ably assisted by Assistant Chef and Chief Ron LaFrance, Jr.  For advance orders, call 358-2161.

Event organizer Sesi Herne states “we are extremely grateful for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino participating year after year.  The food is always wonderful and the staff is always willing to assist.”  The day’s events will include a silent auction, 50/50 Raffle, and the Mountain of Toys.  Last year the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and the Mohawk Bingo Palace collected an estimated $5000 worth of toys to be donated for the drive.   Also, a Santa’s Raffle featuring an iPad 2, Kindle Fire and 3DS Bundle, will be drawn that day.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is located on Route 37 in the Hogansburg, N.Y. and features over 1,600 Vegas style slot machines, Table Games, Valet, and four eateries including the Native Harvest Buffet, Sticks Restaurant, Rapids Food Court and its newest addition, the Maple Room Steakhouse.  For further information call 1-877-99CASINO or check us out at mohawkcasino.com.  We are also on FACEBOOK!

Call Jacques today to list your Residential or Commercial property at 613 551 1793

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