Aboriginal liaison officer position in the works for CBSA

November 13, 2009 Cornwall Standard Freeholder

mpeeling@standard-freeholder.com

CORNWALL - It looks like a long-awaited liaison position to smooth relations between Akwesasne residents and Canada Border Services Agency officers will become a reality.

As part of the ongoing negotiations between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Akwesasne First Nation leaders, the border agency has agreed to staff an aboriginal liaison officer, according to CBSA spokesperson Patrizia Giolti.

Akwesasne radio station CKON reported on Monday that the CBSA had agreed to fill such a position, as well as train officers in cultural sensitivity and recruit First Nations officers to work at the now closed Cornwall Island port of entry, but to date Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Mitchell could be not be reached for confirmation of the agreement.

The creation of a liaison officer position has been a demand placed on the table by Akwesasne leaders in negotiations to reopen the border crossing on the Cornwall Island district of the First Nation.

The CBSA shut down the post on May 31 in response to an ongoing community protest against the implemention of a nationwide policy to arm border services officers. They were due to start carrying 9 mm firearms on Cornwall Island as of June 1.

A temporary border crossing was opened on July 13 in Cornwall at the north end of the north span international bridge following several weeks of the border being closed, which crippled local economies on both sides of the border.

The officers working at the temporary post have been carrying their guns.

Giolti added that the CBSA is "engaged in attracting employees across the country with the right skills and competencies to work as border services officers."

"The CBSA is committed to having a skilled, diversified workforce that is reflective of Canadian society," she wrote in an e-mail.

Giolti said the CBSA is working with Akwesasne leaders to outline the selection criteria before the position will be posted.