The Jay Treaty Border Alliance (JTBA) Responds to Canada’s Travel Advisory.

Press Release

The Jay Treaty Border Alliance (JTBA) expresses profound disappointment with Canada’s recent travel advisory, which strongly recommends that First Nations individuals crossing into the United States carry a Canadian passport in addition to their secure status card. The JTBA maintains that the inherent right of First Nations to cross the Canada-U.S. border—using identification that affirms their First Nation identity as recognized under the Jay Treaty of 1794—is paramount. Guidance advising the use of Canadian passports undermines this right and stands in stark contrast to the principle of First Nations’ self-determination.

The JTBA, established in 2017 to protect and advance the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to freely cross the U.S.-Canada border, as recognized under Article III of the 1794 Jay Treaty, has consistently coordinated with Canada and border agencies to ensure that First Nation travellers have accurate information on acceptable documentation. In October 2022, the Jay Treaty Border Alliance – Collaborative Initiative (JTBA-CI) was established to address the unique border-crossing challenges faced by First Nation peoples. This initiative is structured to collaborate directly with First Nations whose communities and families continue to be divided and impacted by the presence of the international border.

The ongoing advocacy of the JTBA calls upon Canada not only to recognize the inherent rights of First Nations peoples but also to specifically affirm the right of American-born First Nations to enter into Canada. The establishment of the border imposed lasting divisions on First Nations, in many cases permanently separating families and communities. The JTBA urges Canada to work with First Nations against all violations, including infringements imposed by the United States and Canada itself.

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