Mohawk elders were pushed to the ground and a woman was put through an X-ray machine designed for trucks, according to the Grand Chief of the Mohawks of Akwesasne.
The alleged incidents were cited by Grand Chief Tim Thompson Thursday in a speech to the Assembly of First Nation's National Day of Reconciliation.
Grand Chief Thompson used the event on Victoria Island, Ottawa to update other tribes on the situation at the Three Nations Bridge.
The bridge, connecting Massena, NY and Cornwall, Ontario has been closed since June 1st after Akwesasne Mohawks took control of the Canadian Customs building on Cornwall Island, which is Mohawk territory.
The Mohawks are demanding talks with the Canadian government on the alleged abuse of tribe members by Canadian border guards, and the government's decision to put firearms in the hands of the guards.
"We opposed the arming of Canadian Border Guards on our territory because we have seen our community members endure harassment by border guards on our territory for many years," Thompson said.
He said there are cases of alleged abuse currently before the Canadian Human Rights Commission, including:
•Elders being pushed to the ground
•A 17 year old male being subjected to a cavity search
•A young woman being put through a VACAS machine, an X-ray machine that examines trucks
"The safety of our people would be in jeopardy if we allowed guards to have firearms, especially those who are aggressive, racist and intent on racially profiling our people," Thompson said.
Source : Newport Television 2009
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