98th Annual Jay Treaty Border Crossing Celebration

This Saturday (19 July, 2025) marks the 98th Annual gathering and celebration of our rights under the Jay Treaty of 1794.

At 10:30 Sat. 19 July, we gather to exercise this right by walking across the Rainbow Bridge from the US to Canada 98th time! There will be a pause at the centre point of the bridge to hold ceremony as we are met by our relatives crossing from the Canadian side. A film crew, commissioned by IDLA will be documenting the bridge walk and picnic this year. Please let them know if you prefer to stay off camera. They will be wearing “Film Crew” shirts.

After the ceremony, everyone will walk to the Canadian side and join together for a gathering and celebration at Oakes Park, 5700 Morrison St., Niagara Falls, Canada (some shared transportation will be available). There will be Guest Speakers, Tobacco Ceremony, Smoke Dance Competition, Vendors, Social Songs, Food, and more – everyone is welcome to this family-friendly celebration!

Please note: no single use plastics are permitted in Oakes Park, please bring a reusable water bottle. The good people from Water Wizards are providing a fresh water refill station! Kinnikinnick Trading will have a limited number of water bottle/thermos available for purchase at the event.

In 1925 Cayuga Chief Deskaheh (Levi General) of the Six Nations of the Grand River, returned to North America after a journey to speak in Geneva to the League of Nations (now the United Nations). He spoke out about how Canada was violating the rights of Haudenosaunee people. As punishment for speaking the truth to power, Canada refused Chief Deskaheh entry to return home. He stayed on the Tuscarora Reservation in upstate New York, at the home of his friend Chief Clinton Rickard (May 19, 1882-June 14, 1971). Chief Rickard founded the Indian Defense League Of America in the 1920s to advocate for the denial of Indigenous rights (specifically at US/Canada border crossings). When Chief Deskaheh was dying, he asked his friend to promise to “always fight for the line”, as the IDLA and our people continue to do today.

“Jay Treaty” ARTICLE 1: There shall be a firm inviolable and universal Peace, and a true and sincere Friendship between His Britannick Majesty,
His Heirs and Successors, and the United States of America; and between their respective Countries, Territories, Cities,
Towns and People of every Degree, without Exception of Persons or Places.
ARTICLE 3: It is agreed that it shall at all Times be free to His Majesty’s Subjects, and to the Citizens of the United States, and also to
the Indians dwelling on either side of the said Boundary Line freely to pass and repass by Land, or Inland Navigation, into
the respective Territories and Countries of the Two Parties on the Continent of America (the Country within the Limits of
the Hudson’s Bay Company only excepted) and to navigate all the Lakes, Rivers, and waters thereof, and freely to carry
on trade and commerce with each other.

Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation, between His Britannick
Majesty; and The United States of America, by Their President, with
the advice and consent of Their Senate. 1794

Read more about the treaty here: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jays-treaty

First border crossing to celebrate the "Jay Treaty" of 1794, in 1928.
First border crossing to celebrate the “Jay Treaty” of 1794, in 1928.

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