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The Tyendinaga Support Committee is a group in Toronto working to gather support for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) in their struggles for land and justice and against criminal prosecution. To get involved, to lend your support, or if you have any questions, please email: support.tmt (at) gmail.com

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June 7, 2009

For Immediate Release: Tyendinaga Answers Akwesasne's Call

Shuts Down Skyway Bridge, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

Today, Tyendinaga Mohawks have shut down and remain on the Skyway Bridge, located on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

The community of Akwesasne has been living without the freedom of mobility for one week. People have been cut off from family and friends, barred from access to elder relatives in need of care, unable to get to work and hundreds of children have had their school year disrupted.

It is no secret that there are significant tensions between the community of Akwesasne and Canadian Border Services Agency. Hundred of complaints have been filed for incidents like conducting a cavity search on a teenager, subjecting a pregnant woman to repeated x-rays and interrogating children after forcibly removing them from the care of adult family members.

As a result, the community of Akwesasne has clearly stated that it has substantial concerns over the arming of these same guards. The position of the Federal Government that it refuses any discussion with Akwesasne is ludicrous and will only engender further mistrust and frustration.

Tyendinaga understands this frustration and calls for the Federal Government to enter into meaningful discussions with the community of Akwesasne.

Ignoring the concerns of First Nations communities will not make the issues go away.

 

For information on the border shutdown in Akwasasne, see: http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/