At issue was the town's plan to turn a piece of disputed land in the community of Kanesatake into a golf course. Swain was deputy minister at the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development at the time of the Oka crisis, and was a key participant in the events. I think that is reason enough to keep fighting. Twenty-five years on, the legacy of the Oka Crisis for many of those who experienced the tension west of Montreal is a greater awareness of native issues. Was the standoff successful? Sign up for our email newsletter and get our news and analysis delivered on the regular. EG: Don’t be fooled by money. ***It’s worth noting that, while Swain’s memoirs are both well written and valuable as an historical resource, it’s fair to mention that he does come with his share of bias. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. "It's not a whole new approach," said Gabriel, who called the reforms "backwards.". With the 30th anniversary of Oka on the horizon, CD’s Sean Carleton sat down with Ellen Gabriel to discuss the legacy of Oka and the future of Indigenous resistance. The commission’s 1996 report highlighted many issues, including the ongoing effects of the Indian Residential School system. Walter David is a Mohawk traditionalist living in Kanehsatake who was active in the 1990 Oka crisis. "It was wrong to put the natives in that position," the retired politician maintains. These compelling characters recount their own personal Oka Crisis stories, reflecting on what Oka’s legacy is—and what it should be. LGen (Ret’d) Kent Foster served 36 years in the CAF, commanded the Canadian Airborne Regiment and was Commander, Force Mobile Command (FMC, aka the Canadian Army) during the Oka crisis. There were a lot of protests outside of Kanehsatà:ke, even internationally, and that was heartening. It’s an unlevel playing field. So, what that narrative did, that image did, was ignore the important role that women defending the land played in this resistance. That nothing has changed in two decades comes as no surprise to two key players in the Oka Crisis - a clash between natives, the law and the army sparked by an ill-fated police raid. We need to fight to protect our lands and waters. the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice or Sulpician Fathers Seminary, a Roman Catholic order based in Paris What ended up happening, however, is the government just went back to its usual ways once the cameras left. If you have a clear goal, it’s easier to stay grounded. All of the things the older generation talks about are manifesting in front of you, in your day, in your time. I love being on it. The petition was ignored and plans proceeded (Johansen, 136-137). It’s like what we see in the environment, everything is off balance, and deep down this is essentially what we are talking about: how do we protect the biodiversity, how do we protect the land from exploitation and contamination and all of those things, because we rely on the land for our medicines. I want to see future generations develop a similar connection and live a good life and not have to do what we had to do in 1990. Now, Mohawks, governments and developers are once again wrangling over the territory. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. Though many Canadians saw the events of that summer as a “crisis,” to the Mohawks, “Oka” was just the most recent event in an almost 300-year struggle to protect their land from colonial and capitalist development. can’t interfere.” That’s the craziness of colonialism. xiii, 250, bibliographical references, index. I think what sticks out for me most was realizing how important it was for us to be protecting our land, as many generations of Mohawks had done before. It set the tone for Indigenous resistance throughout the ‘90s, and inspired many people & communities to take action. After long discussions as to what should be done next, the militants in the Onen:to’ken Treatment Centre decide to disengage. As a result, new development on that land continues … and so does our struggle. Pp. Carole Boucher is a Montréal-based activist. Ciaccia's voice still chokes with anger and frustration as he recalls the events of that long summer. The corporations that are pushing governments have a lot more power and rights in this colonial and capitalist system. On July 11, 1990, tension between white and Mohawk people at Oka, just west of Montreal, took a violent turn. We have the police called on us frequently. And the band council is just accepting this. D & M Publishers, Sep 18, 2010 - Political Science - 208 pages. In the summer of 1990, Ellen Gabriel (Katsi’tsakwas) was chosen by the People of the Longhouse and her community of Kanehsatà:ke to be their spokesperson during the infamous “Oka Crisis,” a 78-day standoff to protect ancestral Kanien’kéha:ka (Mohawk) land in Québec. a nine-hole golf course was built on land that had been claimed by the Mohawk of the Kanesatake reserve as their Commons (known as the Pines); MONTREAL -Twenty years after an armed standoff at Oka catapulted Canada's often difficult relationship with its native peoples into international news, … Founded in 1963, Canadian Dimension is a forum for debate on important issues facing the Canadian Left today, and a source for analysis of national and regional politics, labour, economics, world affairs and art. The events of that summer in Oka had a … "We never learn from history, do we?" to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2010. This was done in front of international observers. "We want people to know the government lied and there really have not been any changes in the land issues," she said. Harry Swain, deputy minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development at the time of the Oka crisis, has written an insider analysis of this important event in Canadian political history. He was at odds with his own government and police, while scrambling to broker a deal and prevent further bloodshed. The Oka Crisis, which lasted 78 days, drew worldwide attention, catapulting Indigenous land rights into the spotlight. MONTREAL -Twenty years after an armed standoff at Oka catapulted Canada's often difficult relationship with its native peoples into international news, the bitterly contested land remains in legal limbo. In taking our stand, we were simultaneously honouring the ancestors and fighting for future generations. Sean Carleton is a coordinating editor with Canadian Dimension. It's business as usual as far as the government is concerned.". Colonization continues daily for us. We have to push back. … I love the energy that it brings me. EG: The media chooses a sexy image to depict what they think is going on: there’s these really macho guys fighting it out in cameo gear. Harry is the author of Oka: A Political Crisi and its Legacy. It was a very strong role. Plot Summary | Add Synopsis The Legacy of ‘Oka’ and the Future of Indigenous Resistance. That struggle continues today. Firsthand The Oka Legacy The Oka Legacy is a POV documentary that explores how the Oka Crisis has transformed contemporary Indigenous identity in Canada.Through Mohawk filmmaker Sonia Bonspille Boileau’s own personal journey, The Oka Legacy retraces the events that took place in her hometown in 1990 by talking with people who lived through the events firsthand, like Clifton Nicholas … Poster by Ellen Gabriel Interview by Ellen Gabriel and Sean Carleton. Although the event only lasted three … The Legacy of ‘Oka’ and the Future of Indigenous Resistance. Harry Swain. Women were really in the lead. But following the frenzied, sudden end to the crisis - with Kanesatake Mohawks laying down their weapons on Sept. 26 - there was an abundance of political will to solve nagging native issues. rights reserved. It was a crisis that grabbed international headlines, with Mohawks and Canadian soldiers involved in a lengthy stand-off that often appeared on the verge of exploding into full-blown combat. EG: I think it was successful for other people, but not for us. Everything is backward. Mohawks are demanding a moratorium on two projects - a niobium mine and a housing development - planned for the land just west of Montreal, as well as any others until the dispute is resolved once and for all. CD: With the 30th anniversary of Oka coming up, what do you think has been the legacy of that summer. "I don't think Canada wants to address these concerns," he said. We are supposed to be protecting the land for all of our relations like the birds and animals that live in the forest, and the water, which is being contaminated. We are really far from resolving anything. With the 30th anniversary of Oka on the horizon, and new struggles by Indigenous land defenders making headlines across the country, including in Kanehsatà:ke, I recently had the honour to speak with Ellen about the legacy of Oka and the future of Indigenous resistance. The crisis that ensued prompted extensive international coverage, including articles in the New York Times. We do not have our freedom on our homelands. In the months leading up to the crisis, Ciaccia pushed Ottawa to OK an agreement that would let the disputed territory be acquired by the federal government and given over to the Kanesatake Mohawks. More than 75% of our operating budget comes to us in the form of donations from our readers. What lessons does Oka hold for land defenders today? As we went about our daily business, I kept thinking about the ancestors and the fact that, in expanding the golf course, they would be digging up my family to extend a parking lot. I think the image of a masked Indigenous man with a gun scared a lot of Canadians, and the government used that fear to justify using the military to crack down on us. Twenty-five years on, the legacy of the Oka Crisis for many of those who experienced the tension west of Montreal is a greater awareness of native … "They haven't forgotten," he said. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Lemay died when he was hit by gunfire after police attacked a native barricade at the request of the Oka mayor. A vast amount has been written in both English and French and on the Oka crisis, including, but not limited to: John Ciaccia said with a sigh. Republication or distribution of this content is What keeps you going and hopeful for radical change? The Oka Crisis Legacy is a POV documentary that explores how the Oka Crisis has influenced Indigenous identity in Canada. To compound the issue, the Oka municipality did not consult the band when approving the development and as a result, prior to the crisis, in the summer of 1989, thirteen hundred residents signed a petition to stop the development. Oka: A Political Crisis and Its Legacy. We have some bureaucrat deciding whether we can go on our traditional lands. Our land issue was not resolved in the end — and is still not resolved — but our stand had a number of important ripple effects. To order The Filmmaker Chief Serge Simon remembers "when all hell broke loose" in July 1990, as gunfire erupted during a standoff between police and Mohawk protesters in Quebec. This film will show just how crucial the events of that summer were in the shaping of contemporary Canada, where every facet of society is now influenced by a strong Aboriginal presence. In 1990, the then 31-year-old firebrand acted as chief Mohawk negotiator, working alongside Ciaccia to bring an end to the stalemate. Our leader is out west protesting Kinder Morgan but refuses to support community protests against development at home. I just found that very arrogant and insulting. CD: How did Oka shape your activism beyond 1990? That’s my motivation. Officials have resources to buy people. CD: A lot of Canadians will recall images of male warriors, like the famous “face-to-face” photograph of warrior Brad Larocque confronting soldier Patrick Cloutier. The film also features Indigenous community activists such as Melissa Mollen-Dupuis, who were inspired to do great things in other parts of the country after the events of 1990. crisis. Supplemental Reading: Oka: A Political Crisis and its Legacy. "I hope the government doesn't think the native people have forgotten. Blockades were the perfect tool to accomplish this goal peacefully, but escalation motivated in part by a lingering racist colonial history led to violence and a breakdown in negotiations. I’m not sure how that is going to happen. 4 … EG: In 1990, the government promised that they would address the longstanding issue we have regarding our land not being recognized. As laid out in the following post, The Oka Crisis, which occurred in Oka Quebec on July 11 th, 1990, is a critical moment to examine as it highlighted relationships between aboriginals and government, brought awareness to Indigenous rights and their claims for land, and set forth future activist movements on both a local and international scale. The former Quebec native affairs minister was at the centre of the storm two decades ago. When you go through something as traumatic as being shot at, being a target of the army and police on a daily basis, being in the crosshairs, and seeing the kind of violence that was condoned by the state, it’s an awakening. 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