The Canada Border Services Agency recently announced that John Bay — a border officer hailing from Akwesasne, and CIU’s very own National Human Rights Representative — was one of the recipients of the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal.
The Coronation Medal is awarded to a person who has “made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or [has] made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.”
John Bay has long been instrumental in the work to heal the relationship between CBSA and the Akwesasne community. Through his actions, he has helped to foster a positive dialogue. As a CBSA Indigenous Advisor, he has played a key role in providing important guidance to the Agency on the long road to reconciliation with First Nations people.
We are proud to have John Bay as CIU’s Human Rights Representative, and we are pleased to see his contributions recognized through this award. We join CBSA in congratulating him for receiving this prestigious medal. At a time when the Agency’s decision to do away with Regional Indigenous Affairs Advisors positions calls into question its commitment to reconciliation, we hope the honour bestowed upon John will encourage CBSA to reconsider. This achievement should serve as a reminder to the Agency of the importance of continuing to rely on trained, dedicated advisors whose work is key in building a better country.
