Uprising at Oka: Kahnawake Crisis

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Table of Contents

Abstract
What was the conflict about?
How could this standoff have been avoided without violence?
What role did the sanctity of land play in this conflict?
How did sovereignty and cultural awareness play a role in this showdown?
How could we “expand the pie” with this crisis?
References

Abstract

This paper seeks to answer the following questions concerning the Kahnawake Crisis-the reasons behind it, why it was not tackled effectively, and how it could have been avoided. The role of cultural awareness and sovereignty that have long been held as sacred by the Mohawks was examined through this paper.

What was the conflict about?

One of the most acute aboriginal crises ever to take place in Modern Canada’s history; the Kahnawake crisis that took place during the 1990s was a 78 -day standoff between the Mohawks and the Canadian government. The crisis began as a dispute over a planned condominium expansion to a golf complex. The proposed project was to be built on land that was claimed by the neighboring Mohawk community of Kanesatake and it would have encircled the native cemetery. For the Mohawks; this construction was sacrilegious and hence, a number of Mohawk protestors set up barricades in the pine forest at the heart of the dispute. According to the perspective of the Mohawks, this construction was simply immoral on a lot of grounds while the Canadian government simply viewed it as a mere expansion project.

Due to the difference of insight, the conflict became even more inflated when the government employed the police force to tackle the issue. In order to show support, the Mohawks from the Kahn awake community blocked the Mercier Bridge blocking the commute of thousands of people. This crisis was viewed by the Mohawks as a method of proving to the authorities to though they were economically challenged as compared to the whites, they were still a race to reckon with. The social crisis, therefore, was fueled by this incident and hence, the reason for the long standoff.

The government viewed this incident as another aboriginal pressure tactic and was enraged by the fact that thousands of whites were suffering as a result of the blockage. Finally, amidst international pressure, the Quebec government signed an agreement with the Mohawks ruling out the extension plans.

How could this standoff have been avoided without violence?

This violence could have been avoided as it was later proved through an inquest of Guy Gilbert, had the federal government taken initiatives to resolve the Oka land dispute much more efficiently than they otherwise did. Also, if the provincial police; Surete du Quebec, had not taken such a hasty action in using violent means of assault, this crisis could have been abetted way before it actually did.

What role did the sanctity of land play in this conflict?

According, to the Mohawks the land encircling the planned condominium, was of a native cemetery considered to be quite holy by the Mohawks. Hence, such construction would effectively have meant that the sanctity of the cemetery would have been having violated and hence, the reason for the wild protest of the Mohawks.

How did sovereignty and cultural awareness play a role in this showdown?

The Mohawk community was already facing social turmoil as a result of the native grievances concerning the native rights; this dispute was viewed upon as a victory of the natives as through this dispute the Mohawks were able to establish their sovereignty as a race.. It was a turning point in their history as it dragged the Mohawks rights issue into a broader awareness of the native grievances-which had lost public attention since a long time. This incident was a model of inspiration for the original people all over Canada as after this dispute the Mohawks of Quebec became the sole patrollers on the reserve.

How could we “expand the pie” with this crisis?

In order to create more value and to make effective use of this dispute, the government needs to address the major issues of the Mohawks concerning their rights as citizens of the country. The social crisis that has deeply affected the natives has to be addressed and the issue of the economic challenges facing the Mohawks should be addressed by the provincial government as well.

References

Gerald R. Alfred (1995). “Heeding the Voices of Our Ancestors: Kahnawake Mohawk Politics and the Rise of Native Nationalism.” Oxford University Press.
Hornung, Rick (1992).” One Nation Under the Gun: Inside the Mohawk Civil War”. Pantheon.
MacLaine C, Boxendale M, (1991)”. This Land Is Our Land: The Mohawk Revolt at Oka”. Optimum Publishing International Inc.

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