With twenty-four Indian reservations at or near our international borders with Canada and Mexico, Native Americans have a huge stake in border security. The Tohono O'odham Nation shares a 75-mile boundary with Mexico and the Blackfeet Nation shares 63 miles of border with Canada. Eleven of the 21 Border Patrol Sectors encompass Native American land. Border Patrol Sectors and tribal police departments have a history of working together, especially the Tucson Sector with the Tohono O'odham Nation in Arizona and the Swanton Sector with the St. Regis Mohawk and Akwesasne tribes in the northern portion of the United States.

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

Eddie Swimmer, an accomplished dancer, storyteller, and public speaker, performs the Native American Hoop dance during the Native American Border Security Conference.

About one-third of the international boundary patrolled by the Tucson Sector and approximately 21 miles of the boundary patrolled by the Swanton Sector run through Native American lands. The land between the official ports of entry is remote and isolated making it vulnerable to infiltration by illegal migrants, drug and contraband smugglers, or potential terrorists.

Members of 21 tribes attended the two-day CBP conference. "The Border Patrol has nurtured a close working relationship with the Native American community," said CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. "The need to strengthen the relationship between the federal government and the Native American community has never been a greater priority as we protect our homeland."

Native American tribal representatives expressed concern over people infiltrating their lands and the lack of resources to control such breaches. Intruders on Indian lands commit crimes, degrade environmentally protected or sacred areas, and threaten the safety and quality of life in tribal communities. A continuing issue for Indian law enforcement authorities is the lack of jurisdictional clarity and the resulting constraints on the type of action that they can take against intruders.

Indian lands contain critical infrastructures that are key to our security. There are many potential terrorist targets such as dams, oil and gas fields and pipelines, railroads, interstate highways, communication facilities, tourist attractions, mines, hydroelectric power generation and power transmission facilities on Native American controlled land. Major topics of discussion were cooperative efforts necessary to secure and protect this infrastructure.

The conference also identified future joint efforts that would enhance our ability to protect and secure our nation's borders. One concept that may be applied on Indian lands is the task force concept used in the Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBET.) IBETs are multi-agency police teams that were first used to target cross-border crimes between Canada and the United States. The teams focus on criminal activity such as smuggling of drugs, humans, contraband and other illegal substances and terrorist activity. These trans-border law enforcement teams share information, expertise, and resources.

Expanding the use of Customs Patrol Officers (CPO) is another idea discussed. CPOs are Native Americans who work as Federal law enforcement officers on Indian lands. They are uniquely qualified because they know the community first hand but have the training, resources, and logistical support available to federal law enforcement officers. Other cooperative efforts resulting from the conference include funding initiatives such as security grants, improved communications, and training. Lk 552 words Caption: Eddie Swimmer, an accomplished dancer, storyteller, and public speaker, performs the Native American Hoop dance during the Native American Border Security Conference.