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2023 JTBA Conference & Mohawk Council of Akwesasne UNDRIP Consultation

 

The Jay Treaty Boarder Alliance (JTBA) held its Border Crossing Conference, hosted by Forest County Potawatomi, on January 18, 2023. The purpose of this Conference was to bring awareness to issues that are unique to the United States-Canada border. The following day, on January 19, 2023, First Nations and U.S. Tribes were invited to submit written and in-person testimony on how Canada should implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to improve U.S.-Canada border crossing. Both events took place at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More information on the conference and consultation can be found below. 

 

Date: January 18-19, 2023

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Location: Potawatomi Hotel & Casino -- Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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AGENDA

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January 18, 2023 – Jay Treaty Border Alliance Conference

 

9:00 a.m.                    Breakfast

 

10:00 a.m.                  Opening Remarks from Local Host and JTBA Co-Chairs

  • Manny Johnson II, Treasurer, Forest County Potawatomi

  • Jennifer Porter, Chairwoman, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho

  • Abram Benedict, Grand Chief, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

 

10:15 a.m.                  JTBA Overview & the Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act

Moderator:

  • Billy Barquin, Attorney General, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho

Panelists

  • Robert Odawi Porter, Capitol Hill Policy Group, LLC

  • Naomie Droll, Capitol Hill Policy Group, LLC

 

11:00 a.m.                  Right of Entry into Canada and UNDRIP Overview

Panelists

  • Abram Benedict, Grand Chief, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

  • Ava Hill, Advisor

  • Robert Odawi Porter, Capitol Hill Policy Group, LLC

 

11:30 a.m.                  Tribal Leader Discussion

                                   Moderator:

  • Robert Odawi Porter, Capitol Hill Policy Group, LLC

 

12:00 p.m.                  Lunch

 

1:00 p.m.                    Department of Homeland Security Panel

Moderator

  • Billy Barquin, Attorney General, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho

Panelists​

  • Holly Smith, Port Director

  • Bronia E. Ashford, Chief of Tribal and Community Affairs

 

2:00 p.m.                    JTBA Organizational Discussion

Moderator:

  • Robert Odawi Porter, Capitol Hill Policy Group, LLC

 

4:00 p.m.                    Adjourn

 

6:00 p.m.                    Reception

 

7:00 p.m.                    Dinner - Catered by Dream Dance Steakhouse

 

 

January 19, 2023 – Mohawk Council of Akwesasne UNDRIP Consultation

 

9:00 a.m.            Breakfast

 

9:30 a.m.            Opening Remarks – Chief Abram Benedict, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

 

9:45 a.m.            Consultation Process on UNDRIP Act Implementation

Panelists:

  • Amy Lickers, A.L.L. Professional Services

  • Ava Hill, Advisor

  • Robert Odawi Porter, Odawi Law PLLC

 

11:00 a.m.         Testimony from Native Leaders

 

[Present information on the impact of border crossing on Native peoples, families, nations, culture, trade, sport, etc.]

 

12:00 p.m.         Lunch

 

1:00 p.m.            Testimony (continued)

 

4:00 p.m.            Adjourn

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            Thank you to our generous sponsors!

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