The Invisible Line: Sovereignty, Smuggling, and Survival on the Mohawk Border
Imagine a community where a child’s journey to school involves crossing an international border, where emergency services navigate the complexities of three distinct jurisdictions, and where the very notion of an “invisible line” cuts through homes, families, and a people’s ancient identity. This is the reality for the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne, a vibrant Indigenous territory that straddles the Canada-United States border, encompassing parts of Ontario, Quebec, and New York State. More than just a geographical anomaly, Akwesasne represents a profound challenge to colonial borders, a crucible of sovereignty, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.
Akwesasne, meaning "where the partridge drums," is uniquely situated along the St. Lawrence River, its land base fragmented by arbitrary lines drawn by European powers centuries ago. The community’s main landmass includes Cornwall Island (Tiohtià:ke), which is geographically Canadian, but its population center, Hogansburg, is in New York, while other parts extend into Quebec. This tripartite division means that residents often live, work, and conduct daily life across what are, to outsiders, international boundaries, but which to the Mohawks of Akwesasne, are merely artificial constructs within their ancestral lands.
The story of Akwesasne, and indeed the broader Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, long predates the arrival of European settlers. For millennia, the Haudenosaunee governed themselves under the Great Law of Peace, a sophisticated democratic system that bound together six nations. Their understanding of territory was based on shared use and stewardship, not exclusive, fenced-off plots. Treaties like the Two Row Wampum (Guswenta), signed with Dutch settlers in 1613, symbolized a relationship of parallel coexistence, where each nation would travel its own path without interference. This foundational principle of sovereignty is critical to understanding Akwesasne’s contemporary position.
The imposition of the Canada-US border in the late 18th and early 19th centuries was a unilateral act by colonial powers, largely ignoring existing Indigenous land claims and political structures. For the Haudenosaunee, who had fought alongside the British during the American Revolution, the new border was particularly devastating. It severed families, disrupted traditional trade routes, and undermined their self-governance. However, a crucial legal precedent emerged from this period: the Jay Treaty of 1794.
Article III of the Jay Treaty explicitly guarantees Indigenous peoples the right to "pass and repass" freely across the newly established border without being subject to customs duties. This article is a cornerstone of Akwesasne’s assertion of inherent rights, providing a legal basis for their movement and trade. Yet, successive Canadian and US governments have often interpreted this right narrowly, leading to ongoing disputes and friction at border crossings. For the Mohawk people, the Jay Treaty is not merely a historical document but a living treaty that affirms their pre-existing rights, while for border agents, it’s often seen as a legal loophole to be managed.
The daily lived experience in Akwesasne vividly illustrates these complexities. Children cross international boundaries to attend school; community members commute across two or three jurisdictions for work; and even essential services like ambulance or fire response must navigate federal, provincial, and tribal protocols. The physical infrastructure of the border itself, with its checkpoints and customs agents, stands as a daily reminder of an imposed reality that clashes with an inherent sense of nationhood.
This unique geopolitical position has also made Akwesasne a focal point for cross-border trade, both legal and illicit. Historically, during Prohibition, Akwesasne became a major route for rum-running, leveraging its waterways and the jurisdictional ambiguities. In more recent decades, it has been associated with the smuggling of cigarettes, drugs, and even people. While Canadian and US authorities often sensationalize these activities, community leaders and scholars point to deeper socio-economic factors. The high unemployment rates, lack of economic opportunities due to the border’s restrictions, and the assertion of sovereign rights over trade have historically driven some residents to engage in illicit economies. For some, bypassing customs is not just about profit, but a direct challenge to the legitimacy of colonial borders on their land.
"We have always been a trading people," remarked a Mohawk elder during a community meeting, reflecting a common sentiment. "The border didn’t just appear one day and erase our history of movement and exchange. When you impose an invisible line that cuts through our territory, and then restrict our ability to thrive economically, people will find ways to adapt." This perspective highlights the tension between external enforcement and internal self-determination.
The jurisdictional maze at Akwesasne is arguably one of the most complex in North America. The territory is governed by three main entities: the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) in Canada, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) in the United States, and the Hogansburg community in New York. Each has its own council, police force, and administrative structures. Beyond these, there are federal Canadian agencies (CBSA, RCMP), provincial Ontario and Quebec police, and US federal agencies (CBP, FBI) and state/county police. This multi-layered governance often leads to friction, confusion, and sometimes outright conflict, as seen in the 2009 border crisis when Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers began carrying firearms at the Cornwall Island port of entry, sparking massive protests and ultimately leading to the closure of the crossing by Akwesasne residents for several months.
Despite these external pressures, Akwesasne remains a beacon of Mohawk resilience and cultural strength. The community actively asserts its sovereignty through its own institutions: the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, tribal courts, language immersion programs, and cultural initiatives. Efforts to revitalize the Mohawk language (Kanien’kéha) are robust, with schools and community programs dedicated to ensuring its survival for future generations. Traditional ceremonies and governance structures continue to play a vital role in community life, reinforcing a distinct Mohawk identity that transcends imposed national allegiances.
The unique circumstances of Akwesasne have also forced innovation and cooperation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the three Akwesasne governments worked collaboratively, often more effectively than the surrounding provincial, state, and federal entities, to implement public health measures, distribute vaccines, and support their residents. This demonstrated their capacity for self-governance and their ability to act as a unified nation, even across imposed divides.
Looking to the future, Akwesasne continues to grapple with the legacy of the border while striving for greater self-determination. Discussions around modernizing border crossings, addressing environmental issues (the St. Lawrence River has been heavily industrialized, impacting traditional fishing), and fostering sustainable economic development remain central. The Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne stands as a powerful testament to Indigenous sovereignty, a living challenge to the rigidity of international borders, and a profound example of a people’s unwavering commitment to their identity, culture, and ancestral lands, despite the invisible lines that seek to divide them. Their story is a crucial chapter in the ongoing narrative of reconciliation and recognition in North America, demanding that states confront the colonial legacy embedded in their very borders.
