Signage at Cornwall Port of Entry now tri-lingual

Nick Seebruch
Signage at Cornwall Port of Entry now tri-lingual
Two CBSA agents outside of the Cornwall Port of Entry. Submitted photo.

CORNWALL, Ontario – Signage at Cornwall’s Port of Entry is now displayed in English, French and Mohawk.

“Akwesasronon make up almost 70 percent of the traffic that is processed at the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) Cornwall Port. For many residents/elders in our community, Kanienkeha/Mohawk is their first language,” said Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Abram Benedict. “The use of our language on the signage at the Port of Entry is an acknowledgment of daily users of the crossing, and the fact that the port is on traditional Akwesasne lands. We wish to continue to advance our partnership with CBSA in order to meet the needs of Akwesasronon.”

Cornwall is the first CBSA border crossing in Canada to have tri-lingual signage in Mohawk, English and French.

In 2017-2018 1.5 million travellers passed through the Cornwall Port of Entry. Of those, 1.05 million were Mohawk.

“I’m very pleased with the new trilingual signage in Cornwall that has been developed in partnership with the Mohawk Community of Akwesasne,” said John Ossowski, President, Canada Border Services Agency. “Our relationship with the Akwesasne community is important and the new signage is but one step on the CBSA path towards reconciliation.”

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