A change for the better
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Abram Benedict, Ontario Regional Chief
Improving the border crossing experience for Indigenous Peoples
The Community of Akwesasne is divided by the Canada-U.S. border.
According to Regional Chief Abram Benedict, former Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, it represents “one of the most significant barriers – social, economic and health for community members.”
He added: “The international border creates access issues not only for the community but also for service providers. Akwesasne is considered a rural community that is very close to the city. “Still, many providers will not come to the community because the U.S. and Canadian Customs must process you when you enter Akwesasne. Non-Indigenous visitors married into Indigenous families face issues with having to meet the entry requirements of Canada and the U.S.”
This project supports UN Declaration Action Plan Measure SP52, which is about addressing complex border crossing and migration challenges faced by Indigenous peoples divided by Canada's international borders.
Regional Chief Benedict expressed that the challenges associated with crossing the border are an incessant source of stress for family and friends, and often lead to anxiety among members who are crossing it. It is an issue that the Mohawk Community Akwesasne has long endured.
Enter UN Declaration Act Action Plan Shared Priority 52
In keeping with a commitment to improve border mobility rights, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hosted 12 roundtable discussions from October 2023 to February 2024.
These roundtables took place with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and organizations to gain further insights into Indigenous border mobility and ways to make it more relevant to, and respectful of, Indigenous Peoples.
The CBSA invited Regional Chief Benedict to attend the roundtable sessions in Ottawa and Vancouver to hear his perspective on the day-to-day border experience and possible solutions, along with that of other participants.
The roundtables consisted of presentations, discussions and breakout sessions that allowed the Government of Canada to hear from Indigenous communities and better understand the challenges they face, including specific health care services challenges faced by the Akwesasne community.
IRCC and CBSA published a report, Indigenous Mobility and Canada’s International Borders: Reflecting back and looking forward, that summarizes what was heard during the conversations at the roundtables. It reflects valuable feedback and recommendations provided by partners and participants that will help inform upcoming legislative changes.
This is an opportunity to take effective steps forward to improve border crossing. Regional Chief Benedict explained that “transit over the border is essential.”
Change is coming – but taking time
According to Regional Chief Benedict, the government appears to be on a promising track. “There have been some improvements,” he continued, but he added that the changes have not been significant, as the community continues to feel the negative impact. On a positive note, he indicated that since the establishment of the Border Collaboration Initiative, the border crossing experience for Akwesasne has improved. But he also points to continued frustrations, suggesting that the continued turnover of border services officers, management, and the influx of staffing levels, have left many in the community still feeling the negative impacts of the border.
“It will take time to see a difference, but Canada is making strides to improve the border crossing experience,” he noted. “The Government of Canada is taking the necessary steps to change legislation. Although there is a bit of work happening, there is still lots of work to do.”
Regional Chief Benedict noted that he hopes to see more positive changes.
Contributed by: Canada Border Services Agency
- In October 2024, temporary measures were announced to help Indigenous people in the United States reunite with their families in Canada and reconnect them with their traditional territories. Find out more in this news release from IRCC.
Department of Justice Canada
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