Borders

Border Crossing. Every year in the summer the Indian Nations that make up the Haudenosaunee participate in an event called “border crossing” which signifies not only the fact that the First Nations peoples were here prior to European arrival, the event also represents an agreement/treaty that was ratified by the governments of the United States and Britain in 1794. The Jay Treaty actually states that the First Nations people have the right to cross the northern border between the States and Canada without passports or levies in order to trade or travel. Thus, every year individuals and groups of Indians gather together on alternate sides of the border to do a parade across one of the bridges to the other country. The beginning point of the parade alternates between Canada and the US. After the parade all the people congregate in a close park to celebrate the event and their culture. Crafts are brought out, people sing, people eat, and people chat. It is a very festive time but all to make outsiders, as well as other Indians aware of the fact that Indians have this right as a treaty between the two nations and it should be honored.
Please read more about the treaty: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/lwsch/journals/bciclr/24_2/04_FMS.htm