Fontaine Still In The Dark About Border Access

Fontaine Still In The Dark About Border Access

Thursday, April 14, 2005 at 12:52

The chief of the Assembly of First Nations admits he isn’t sure if the United States intends to keep honouring an agreement signed more than two centuries ago.

Phil Fontaine says the Jay Treaty of 1794 has traditionally allowed First Nations people to criss-cross the border easier than their non-aboriginal counterparts.

However, that all appears to be up in the air after the American government announced it will require Canadian visitors to carry passports by 2007.

Fontaine has written to the U.S. Embassy about the situation but hasn’t yet received a response.

It’s unclear how the new policy will affect First Nations citizens who are working in the U.S., or serving in its military.