Effective June 1, 2009, United States Homeland Security will require USA approved identification to cross the border into the United States. The new requirements are fairly stringent. You, as a Batchewana Band Member have two (2) options for the identification cards:

 If you need to travel to and from the United States for work, education or ceremonial purposes, you will need to make a decision relatively quickly on which route you wish to take. You can also apply for a Canadian Passport or NEXUS card, which would guarantee your unimpeded access under the pretense of Canadian citizenship.

 Ultimately, your right to cross the border unimpeded was guaranteed under the Jay Treaty of 1794 as a North American Indian. It is your choice on how you proceed from here.

 

Chief Dean Sayers

Batchewana First Nation

   Since I’ve last provided an update to the people there have been a few developments our membership should be aware of; the Batchewana First Nation Police Services is hiring a new police officer in our communities. We will be going through an introduction process once this person is hired.
   Later on in the spring we’ll be continuing with the development of new relationships regarding the development of Batchewana natural resources. In particular, we will be looking at community impact, funding and benefit agreements with a number of corporations and agencies interested in developing natural resource initiatives in our territory.
   The work on the new Batchewana and Garden River First Nation citizenship cards is nearing completion, and the cards will be recognized by Homeland Security in the U.S. Recently representatives from our organization travelled to Washington DC, in an effort to finalize the security and operational processes required to meet Homeland Security regulations. We expect that these cards will be in our communities, operational by June 1 deadline.
   The construction of the new health centre is right on track we expect to see ground breaking ceremony taking place sometime in May. We will be sending information out to the communities and hopefully everyone can be in attendance.
   The logging issue is being dealt with in the provincial offences court in Sault Ste Marie on April 2. It is the expectation of the First Nation that this issue will be put over for a trial date sometime in the fall of 2009. You’re welcome to attend the hearing taking place at City Hall on April 2 at 9:30 a.m.
   Community education workshops are being planned between Batchewana, Garden River and Thessalon First Nation with respect to the Pennefather Treaty. The Pennefather Treaty was signed in 1859 and has largely been breached by the Crown since that time. As a result of this breach, Batchewana First Nation has once again begun the process of asserting our Inherent and Treaty Rights.
   We are also planning on taking affirmative action with regards to asserting our rights identifying and recognized within the Jay Treaty of 1874, which was between United States and Great Britain. Within the confines of that Treaty document, is the recognition of our right to travel as we were in the habit of doing so throughout North America. Last years’ border crossing in the form of a canoe trip across the St. Mary’s River was extremely successful and we look forward to a similar type of event this summer. It would be appreciated if more of our people would attend the gathering and participate fully in the actual border crossing exercises developed through interaction and partnership with Garden River, Bay Mills and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
   Over the course of the next couple of years Batchewana is proposing a very aggressive agenda with high outcome expectations. We hope to see you at all of our community events and we appreciate the support that you showed us during the last election. If you have any questions or comments with regards to the direction council is pursuing please feel free to contact individual councillors or myself.