Akwesasne is a Canadian exclave whose only road connections lead through the United States rather than mainland Canada. Akwesasne is far more complex than a typical Canadian exclave. It is a Mohawk community whose territory stretches across the international border, spanning the provinces of Ontario and Quebec as well as the state of New York. Residents routinely cross between Canada and the United States while remaining within the same community. Because of longstanding legal principles rooted in the 1794 Jay Treaty, along with later legislation and court rulings, many Mohawk people enjoy special cross-border mobility rights, although the legal framework differs between Canada and the United States. Its unique location has also made Akwesasne a notable smuggling corridor throughout history. During Prohibition, it was used to transport alcohol, while in more recent decades authorities have investigated the movement of untaxed tobacco, narcotics, firearms, and, at times, people attempting to cross the border illegally. Akwesasne is also renowned for its ironworkers. Beginning in the late 19th century and reaching prominence during New York City’s skyscraper boom of the 1920s and 1930s, many Mohawk men from the community became highly respected high-steel workers, helping construct iconic bridges and skyscrapers. With authority divided among Mohawk governments as well as multiple Canadian and American jurisdictions, Akwesasne faces an unusually complex system of governance. Issues such as policing, taxation, customs, and public services often require coordination across several governments, making it one of the most administratively unique communities in North America.(Historic Vids)