Court Ignores Mohawk Jurisdiction Challege from Leichik on Vimeo.

On June 14th, 2008 two Akwesasne grandmothers were stopped and arrested at the U.S.-Canada border. Located between Ontario, Quebec, and New York State, the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne is torn between borders.

Katenies, one of the grandmothers, was arrested for an outstanding warrant from supposedly "running the border" in 2003 where she challenged that the imposed borders do not apply to the indigenous peoples of the land. Since, she has maintained her position and served a Motion to Dismiss in January 2007.

Kahentinehta, 68, was also arrested. During her arrest she suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital. Her brother and nephew, crossing the border at the same time, intervened on her behalf. No charges have been brought forward against her, and today she is healing at her home.

On July 14th, allies gathered from Ottawa, Montreal, and Cornwall to show their support for Katenies' court appearance. This video documents the events of that day and the words of various indigenous representatives and their allies.

By Lia Tarachansky and Jesse Freeston, Ottawa IndyMedia Journalists