By Isaac White

Our community is no stranger to federal surveillance. Border security agencies have been present in our territory for years. Akwesasne has long been on their radar, and not so distant events have increased scrutiny. A tragedy in our waters involved eight people attempting to cross in dangerous conditions, losing their lives, tragically including one of our own, far too soon. A brighter light has been shone on us following that intensely sad event.

That analysis isn’t alarmism. It’s reality. The so-called “border czar” has publicly spoken about Akwesasne, and not in a favorable way.

My concern grows as I witness a noticeable uptick in social media proclamations by self-styled authorities in all fields: revolutionaries, militants, activists, philosophers, legal and political experts, and cultural authorities. These folks assertively cast themselves as masters of these issues yet offer no demonstrable expertise. Most concerning is those who are otherwise incompetent and have no accountability for their word or actions.  

Skepticism is my natural reaction, as I notice patterns in behavior and language that give me pause. “I have seen this before,” I say to myself. I know some of these people personally, others I’ve had occasional interactions with, and some are strangers. Each person is free to speak as they will, and self-assured righteousness isn’t necessarily negative or incorrect; however, when I perceive a lack of thoughtfulness behind the bloviation, my cynicism metastasizes. 

I notice strong assertions of personal conviction in calls to action, with no plan to support them. Words spoken without responsibility, positions taken with no accountability, and seemingly no concern for what may happen should those words provoke an action that is irrational, even violent. A potential nightmare birthed into our conscious world.

I state my positions openly, offer alternatives, and welcome disagreement, holding myself accountable by sharing my thoughts transparently. Sometimes I speak self-righteously, proclaiming correctness, but I distinguish this through accountability, humility, and responsibility for my words.

And what I’m seeing lately directly connects to an important word in that last sentence. Responsibility. Rhetoric without responsibility — people calling for action, criticizing others, and positioning themselves as leaders without taking any real risks or offering any real guidance – that is not only frustrating, but it can also be downright dangerous.

The easy part is to post slogans. Easy to express outrage. It’s incredibly simple to call on others to sacrifice their well-being, their freedom, the security of their family, and, potentially, their own lives. What’s difficult is putting yourself at the forefront.

What’s also challenging is organizing, planning, educating, and putting yourself on the line.

I don’t see many of the loudest voices doing that work. I don’t see them offering plans. I don’t see them educating people about what needs to be done. I don’t see them warning people of the potential consequences of the actions they encourage, or worse, imply but won’t state clearly. If someone relies on implications instead of plain language, be wary.

I’ve voluntarily placed myself in situations that were less than safe in the name of what I saw as righteous defense of my family, our nation, and our people. Those were limited instances. I don’t present myself as a veteran front-line activist. The concern I have is those who do so without a track record of activism and political action that has resulted in advancement for the collective.

These rhetorical figures online want you to throw yourself into the fray, but I doubt their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way. They expect people to take risks they won’t.

We cannot allow that inflammatory language to drive decision-making. Reflexive and rage-fueled action taken without a strategy guarantees losing outcomes. Strong emotions are expected. They’re normal, I won’t claim otherwise, and please don’t let anyone tell you differently. Should someone tell you it’s not typical, I urge you call upon suspicion.

How you process and respond is what matters. Impactful action comes from deep and thoughtful preparation. It comes from discussion and realistic analysis of the situation at hand, the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

For those who imply or explicitly claim their ability to lead, accountability must be demonstrated first, as leadership is a responsibility so heavy that most people aren’t suited for it. Few people have the necessary skills and character traits.

All of this is relevant given the rising anxiety as we watch ICE abuse people in other parts of the country. Onkwehonwe across the land are understandably worried they may be targeted by ICE and other federal agencies. Claims were made that three Oglala Sioux were detained by ICE. Although the claims have become uncertain, it doesn’t ease the fear of the unknown in Akwesasne.

The anxiety people feel is rational. It is not rational to let panic or incendiary language push us toward reckless and dangerous actions. Our response must be grounded in organization, not a messy reaction. We need to talk with each other, educate ourselves on our rights, and have a plan if we face a heavier federal presence.

That means understanding:

• U.S. federal law
• Tribal law
• Traditional law

Some will claim that learning U.S. law means prioritizing their government over our own. That’s nonsense. Knowing the law is one of our best defenses against unlawful actions that violate our natural rights. If federal agencies are willing to disregard their own constitution, we shouldn’t assume they will respect ours without challenge.

Education is crucial right now. Those with knowledge of traditional, tribal, and U.S. law all have a major role to play. Don’t let anyone discourage you from learning your rights from any of these people in preparation for how to respond if confronted by ICE or any other federal agency.

Some people will not like this commentary. That’s fine. Disagreement isn’t a threat.

Silence is a threat. Silence suppresses clarity. Without clarity of thought, solutions are impossible.  Thoughtful discussion creates solutions. A community that doesn’t talk through potential and active conflicts stays divided. Division only helps the people who want us to be weak.

This is not my claim of a full solution. It is something to consider.

I’ll close with this: ask yourself, what does responsibility look like after the shouting ends? Do the words we’re hearing lead to unity, understanding, and preparation —or to division, resentment, and chaos?

Take or leave my words, but at the end of the day, I urge you: Do not succumb to fake activism. Do not be tempted by empty, angry rhetoric. Do not listen to the siren call of those self-anointed experts and opportunists who haven’t earned it. Do not let fury replace logic. Talk to each other. Learn together. Support your people. That is how we protect our community.