Tribal government officials waiting to see if Cornwall Island protest occurs
VICTOR BARBOSA
AKWESASNE - Canadian recognized tribal government officials were stuck playing the waiting game Friday afternoon, one day before a potential protest on Cornwall Island (Kawehno:ke) that could shut down the international bridges connecting Massena and Cornwall, Ont.
Bridge spans from the town of Massena and Cornwall are connection by a short stetch of land on Cornwall Island that once housed Canadian Customs.
When the Canadian Border Services Agency made a move to arm its customs officers in 2009, Mohawk protests caused the CBSA to close the bridge for six weeks. The customs and toll booths were then temporarily moved to Cornwall, where they have remained since.
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne issued a press release Thursday noting they were aware of potential plans by community members to claim ownership of the abandoned Canada Border Services Agencys former Port of Entry building on Cornwall Ilsand.
http://www.mpcourier.com/article/20140322/DCO/703229878