Tribe wants to staff booth

CORNWALL ISLAND, Ontario — The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne wants the customs booth on this island to reopen, this time with tribal members inside.

Even though the idea has not been discussed with the Canada Border Services Agency, the CBSA is making it clear it has no interest in the concept.

"The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Customs Act state that only the CBSA has the legal authority to provide border services at the Canada-U.S. port of entry," spokeswoman Patrizia Giolti said in an e-mail.

Council Grand Chief Michael K. Mitchell is trying to breathe some life into an old proposal that Mohawk security officers man the now-empty booths, with backup from the Akwesasne Mohawk police force. Late last week he again suggested it, so residents of Cornwall Island, or Kawehnoke in Mohawk, traveling north onto the island will not have to go into the city of Cornwall to report to the CBSA before heading back again to go home.

"MCA leaders would like to see the post on Kawehnoke opened within a few weeks," Mohawk Council spokesman Brendan F. White said. "Our leaders certainly need to address the concerns and needs of our community members to travel. Right now, community residents are required to leave the community just to travel within our own territory."

Since the idea was proposed again last week, Mohawk Council officials have been meeting with other tribal government leaders to discuss the proposal. It originally was suggested to Stephen Rigby, president of the CBSA, months ago.

The Seaway International Bridge, which links Massena to Cornwall, Ontario, via Cornwall Island, was closed for six weeks this summer because of a dispute over arming CBSA officers. The Akwesasne Mohawk tribe contends that armed customs officers on the island, which is part of Canada, are a violation of its sovereignty.

In a move to reopen the span, Canadian officials moved their inspection site off the island and into the city of Cornwall.

Since that time, island residents have been told they must report to the temporary customs booth. Many have refused, and the CBSA began seizing vehicles and imposing $1,000 fines on cars that have not checked in the next time they come to the Canadian mainland. Twenty-one cars were seized earlier this month, according to Ms. Giolti, and the Mohawk Council and St. Regis Mohawk tribal government have set aside $30,000 to help residents pay the fines. Only $10,000 remains in the fund, according to Mr. White.

Discussions with the CBSA to find a permanent solution to the dispute are on hold, but tribal officials are still meeting weekly to brainstorm possible compromises.

"Alternate inspection protocols are not unique in Canada. There are unmanned stations where people report by video, by telephone or by completing a simple form," Mr. White said. "When you're looking at a unique port of entry such as ours, which is the only Canadian port of entry on First Nations land, certain special arrangements can be worked out."