Distrust remains 20 years after Oka Crisis

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/07/2010 (5651 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OKA, Que. — A traditional chant meant to bring peace and new beginnings marked the start of the protest march Sunday on the 20th anniversary of the Oka Crisis.

"It clears the air and that’s what we’re starting with," singer Michael Doxtater said.

Kanesatake Mohawks hosted the peaceful protest in Oka, 70 kilometres west of Montreal. It commemorated the day when a Quebec provincial police raid on a Mohawk barricade left Cpl. Marcel Lemay dead and sparked a 78-day armed standoff between natives, the law and the army. At the time, Mohawks were protesting plans to expand a golf course onto land they claimed was an ancient burial ground.

On Sunday, some 300 marchers held placards saying "20 Years Later Nothing has Changed" and waved flags emblazoned with the warrior society symbol.

They paused briefly in front of The Pines, the site of the former Kanesatake Mohawk barricade where a gun battle killed Lemay. Nearby Kahnawake Mohawks had also blocked a key commuter bridge at the time.

A few of the stately trees are now decorated with Mohawk flags, while others carry signs proclaiming the area sovereign native land.

Mohawk activist Clifton Nicholas was 18 in 1990 and helped man the barricades. "My whole world view changed at that time," he said, explaining he was shocked by "how twisted and crooked and bad the world could be."

Nicholas wants Ottawa to sign the United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous people — Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States voted against adopting the non-binding text — and to have land claims dealt with in "an equitable manner."

Many of the Mohawks remain distrustful of the Ontario and federal governments. They continue to call for the suspension of development on the area until their land claim is resolved.

Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl recently trumpeted the renewed talks.

Nicholas brushed off Strahl’s remarks. "Is it the reality or just another political illusion?" he asked.

Ellen Gabriel, who acted as chief Mohawk negotiator in 1990 and now heads a native women’s association, echoed his comments. "We’re here to tell people the government has lied," she said.

Kanesatake Grand Chief Sohenrise Paul Nicholas said relations had improved.

— The Canadian Press