PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Ennisko:wa/March 16, 2006
FIRST NATIONS, CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES GATHER FOR FIRST SUMMIT ON CROSS-BORDER ISSUES
CORNWALL, ONTARIO, March 16, 2006 -- Representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, the National Congress of American Indians, Canadian and American governments and law enforcement officials are meeting together for the first time to discuss cross-border security and management issues.
The International Indigenous Cross-Border Security Summit will take place on March 17-18, 2006. The two-day meeting will provide all partners an opportunity to exchange views, share best practices and identify areas where future work could be considered.
"The Canada-U.S. border is not the creation of the First Peoples of this land," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "Historically, our people moved freely throughout our territory and across what is now the border. We recognize that border security is a key concern for all North Americans, and this Summit is an opportunity to find ways to address those concerns while ensuring that the rights of First Nations on both sides of the border are respected and protected."
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are hosting the gathering. Akwesasne is a unique, multi-jurisdictional community straddling the Canada-US border as well as the provinces of Ontario and Quebec and the state of New York.
"This Summit is an opportunity to share information between indigenous leaders and government authorities on border issues related to international crime, terrorism and identification cards. We welcome this opportunity to highlighting our best efforts to battle organized crime and terrorism," stated Chief Mike Mitchell, portfolio holder for border security with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. "The media seldom covers our efforts to deal with these issues and our struggle to advance our rights This is a concern for indigenous people."
Summit participants include the National Congress of American Indians, the United States Customs and Border Patrol, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Foreign Affairs Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
"It is important that the federal governments of Canada and the United States consult with the leaders of the indigenous nations on the national homeland security strategies and initiatives," stated Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians. "We [as Indigenous leaders] must be engaged in this dialogue and communicate our concerns and recommendations on these matters."
Canada plays host to the Summit, which will take place at the Nav Canada Training Institute and Conference Centre in Cornwall, Ontario, a key Canada-U.S. border community.
A report on the discussions and next steps will be released following the Summit.
The International Indigenous Cross-Border Security Summit will take place on March 17-18, 2006. The two-day meeting will provide all partners an opportunity to exchange views, share best practices and identify areas where future work could be considered.
"The Canada-U.S. border is not the creation of the First Peoples of this land," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "Historically, our people moved freely throughout our territory and across what is now the border. We recognize that border security is a key concern for all North Americans, and this Summit is an opportunity to find ways to address those concerns while ensuring that the rights of First Nations on both sides of the border are respected and protected."
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are hosting the gathering. Akwesasne is a unique, multi-jurisdictional community straddling the Canada-US border as well as the provinces of Ontario and Quebec and the state of New York.
"This Summit is an opportunity to share information between indigenous leaders and government authorities on border issues related to international crime, terrorism and identification cards. We welcome this opportunity to highlighting our best efforts to battle organized crime and terrorism," stated Chief Mike Mitchell, portfolio holder for border security with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. "The media seldom covers our efforts to deal with these issues and our struggle to advance our rights This is a concern for indigenous people."
Summit participants include the National Congress of American Indians, the United States Customs and Border Patrol, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Foreign Affairs Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
"It is important that the federal governments of Canada and the United States consult with the leaders of the indigenous nations on the national homeland security strategies and initiatives," stated Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians. "We [as Indigenous leaders] must be engaged in this dialogue and communicate our concerns and recommendations on these matters."
Canada plays host to the Summit, which will take place at the Nav Canada Training Institute and Conference Centre in Cornwall, Ontario, a key Canada-U.S. border community.
A report on the discussions and next steps will be released following the Summit.
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