Published since March, 2003
Apr. 28, 2K6
News from around Indian
Country and other tidbits they don't want you to know. The purpose of this newsletter
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BORDER
ID CARDS A 'DONE DEAL', SAYS P.M.- RIGHTS COMPROMISED?
Pat Paul of Tobique
Newsletter
TOBIQUE FN. (SPECIAL) - Canada's First Nation have enjoyed the
right of free and unimpeded border crossing for over 200 years and that historical
treaty right remains intact today under the legal provisions of the 1794 Jay Treaty.
Indian
reserves located on or near the US/Canada border are especially concerned.
The
announcement in Mexico by Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, citing a US
regulation, said in effect, that everyone crossing the border starting in 2007,
will be required to show a special ID border-crossing card.
In no uncertain
terms Harper said the ID border card requirement is a 'done deal' and must be
fully complied with in every detail.
This new US regulation raises
a serious concern among native nations in Canada, many of whom cross the border
on daily basis. They are questioning whether native treaty rights of unimpeded
crossing as guaranteed in a treaty, will be compromised or illegally taken away
without prior, and/or due consultation with them
The initial announcement
came during the Mexican summit conference between US, Canada and Mexico at the
end of the March, 2006.
Within days of Harper's announcement a subsequent
statement confirming this new border regulation was reiterated by the newly appointed
ambassador to the United States, Michael Wilson, who said in his first US speech
in Washington, that Canadians want a 'smart border' not a "trick one".
The latter description of the card could possibly imply under this
new regulation, that border cards could be used to arbitrarily or legally squeeze
or constrict border passage for every person using the border, including native
people who have unimpeded right to cross under the 1794 Jay Treaty.
Talks
and discussions among natives regarding border crossing have gone into a new high
since the Harper's announcement.
The announcement also raised the possibility
of convening special all-parties aboriginal gatherings on this crucial issue within
a reasonable future.
Further details on this issue will follow as new
developments occur.
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