Land disputes between the Native people of North America and Europeans have been ongoing throughout history, with no resolution in sight. Unfortunately, these conflicts persist. One particularly violent and intense land dispute started twenty years ago in present-day Canada.
The Oka Crisis took place in Oka, Quebec and involved a clash between the Mohawk people, Quebec provincial police, and Canadian armed forces. It had a major impact on indigenous rights in Canada, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting aboriginal rights. To offer a more thorough comprehension, this paper is divided into four sections.
The text will start by introducing the group that fought for what they believed was their land and explaining its importance. It will also provide information about the historical background of the land. Additionally, it will discuss the main factors that contributed to the crisis, with a particular emphasis on how the expansion of a golf course affected the Mohawk people and increased tensions. Finally, it will present a chronological summary of the events during the Oka Crisis.
Starting with the importance of the main events, I will go through them in order of time. Later on, in the fourth section, we will explore what happened after this tragic event and analyze its impact on present-day Canada. The Mohawk Indians, or Kaniengehaga, are a tribe situated at the eastern end of the Iroquois confederation.
The Mohawk tribe consists of three clans: the Bear, the Wolf, and the Turtle. Each clan has its own chief. The Mohawk tribe had a strong reputation among early Europeans and interestingly, their Algonquian adversaries referred to them as “Mohawk,” meaning “man-eater”.
Throughout history, the Mohawk people have continuously fought for their land. In the past, this land was used by the Mohawk for hunting. Today, present-day Mohawk Indians are tired from their ongoing efforts to safeguard their ancestral land. Kanesatake is a significant settlement for the Mohawk, located in a beautiful location where the Ottawa River meets the St.
In the 16th century, the Mohawk used the Lawrence River region for hunting. But in the early 1700s, the French colonial government proposed that they move to a particular nine square mile piece of land which they thought was intended for them.
In 1961, the government took control of the land that the Mohawks believed was rightfully theirs. This ownership dispute became apparent in 1990 when the government planned to construct a 9-hole golf course on a portion of the land that included a burial ground and pine grove. However, not all residents of Oka, particularly the Mohawk Indians, were in favor of this project.
The decision to initiate legal action was prompted by the dissatisfaction with the plans, which had already resulted in the majority of the land being cleared. In 1986, despite being initially asserted in 1961, the First Nation community’s assertion of ownership over the golf course land was dismissed, despite its valued historical importance and serving as a serene resting place for their forebears.
The Mohawks’ anger towards non-native people in Canada grew due to conflicts over land usage, which ultimately played a part in the Oka Crisis. This crisis unfolded in Kanesatake, a sparsely populated municipality situated near Oka. Commencing in early 1990, the crisis persisted until September 26, 1990.
11 The crisis began when the mayor of Oka, Jean Ouellette, proposed and got approval for a plan to expand the golf course to eighteen holes.
12 This decision sparked a highly publicized dispute between the first nations and the Canadian government.
13 The government did not object to the development, as the Mohawks’ land claim had been rejected a few years earlier.
13 In March of 1990, members of the Mohawk society expressed their anger by setting up a protest in Oka specifically against the expansion of the golf course.
14 The Mohawk people were particularly angry about the expansion taking place on their ancestral burial ground and on land they believed had been granted to them in the 1700’s. This land had also been subject to a disputed lawsuit in 1961. As a form of protest, certain members of the Mohawk community constructed a barricade to prevent construction crews from entering what they considered to be their rightful land.
The barricades were placed on major highways, including the Mercier Bridge, resulting in increased tension on July 11. The Mohawks requested negotiations which were declined by the Quebec provincial government, leading to the involvement of the police and the escalation of the conflict into an armed one.
Bullet exchanges resulted in the shooting and subsequent fatality of a Quebec officer. Following an extended confrontation, tear gas canisters were utilized by the Quebec police. The occurrence quickly gained attention, prompting Aboriginal individuals from different regions of North America to unite with the Mohawk community. Even though the RCMP arrived, they were unsuccessful in reinstating peace.
The presence of the Canadian army was necessary due to the crisis in Oka, which lasted for seventy eight days and resulted in three blocked routes. These barricades caused significant inconvenience and frustration for the residents of Oka, Quebec, as they made it extremely challenging to enter or exit the town.
Police conducted stops and road blocks, resulting in significant delays for travelers. Moreover, Mohawk individuals faced additional hurdles as they were subject to thorough searches before being allowed to proceed. In contrast, non-native individuals experienced relatively easier passage, as they were perceived as being less threatening compared to the Mohawks.
Despite the constant struggle, donations made by people from Montreal provided some relief in bringing food and supplies to the Mohawk people. However, there still remained a shortage of food to feed everyone during those few months. Furthermore, the scarcity of clothing posed an issue for a large number of people.
Despite the ongoing crisis, the majority of Mohawk people persisted in wearing their traditional attire. However, acquiring essential supplies proved to be a daunting task due to strict restrictions imposed by the police. The limited number of items allowed to be brought in exacerbated the difficulty of obtaining necessary resources. Moreover, the delivery of food was heavily impeded by road blocks, necessitating thorough inspections of every package. As a result, most parcels were either returned or stored at a farm in a neighboring community.
23 The Oka crisis held a deeper significance for the Mohawk people than what was portrayed in the media. The media primarily emphasized the barricades, viewing it as a mere police story. Their perspective was that the police and soldiers were present to establish law and order, returning everything to its previous state.
According to one Mohawk Indian who experienced the crisis, many of the individuals present at the barricades were their family, friends, and relatives. Throughout the summer of 1990, Oka dominated the Canadian TV and print media as a top story. The repercussions of the Oka crisis stretched beyond the town itself, as it gained global attention and attracted supporters who joined in the escalated situation.
25 The issue of land and equal rights is a delicate matter for First Nations individuals, often resulting in tense altercations. This significant event sparked fanaticism and violent eruptions, as Mohawks sought to demonstrate the possibility of resolution.
The Mohawks received support from Quebec’s Minister for Native Affairs, John Ciaccia, who expressed his belief that it was unfair and unjust for the Mohawks to have their lands taken without consultation or compensation, especially for the construction of a golf course. Eventually, the Canadian government agreed to purchase the disputed land to halt construction. However, the Mohawk felt that their fundamental concerns were not being addressed. Their claims now extended beyond land ownership and included a demand for recognition of Native independence.
The Mohawk people were engaged in a struggle to protect their land, while the Canadian government aimed to establish peace. As the police lost control, the mayor of Oka requested the intervention of the RCMP. However, both the Mohawks and the mobs proved too much for the RCMP to handle, leading to the involvement of the army. After a duration of seventy eight days, the Mohawks dismantled their blockade and departed from the area.
On August 29th, 1990, the Mohawks reached a settlement agreement with the Quebec government. This marked the end of a major dispute known as the Oka crisis, which had a negative impact on the people of Kanesatake. During this crisis, many Mohawk individuals were arrested and it was announced that the construction of a golf course was cancelled on September 26. This day holds significant importance in history.
Despite not much changing, the relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians was perceived negatively, causing division within the community and problems within the council. Racism significantly plagued the Oka community during the crisis period.
However, non-natives showed their support for the Mohawks during the crisis as they perceived it to be unjust. Additionally, both sides did not gain any positive outcomes from the dispute except for the preservation of their land and the prevention of a golf-course construction. Since then, advancements have been made, including the negotiation of new treaties in various provinces.
The Oka crisis, which occurred in 1990, led to a series of protests by Native people demanding more land and rights. This fight for land and equal rights significantly influenced Canadian perspectives on aboriginal people. The impact of the Oka crisis extended beyond North America, affecting numerous individuals. Despite the Mohawk having to resort to drastic measures to gain recognition, they did so with the aim of achieving larger objectives.
After the Oka crisis, there have been multiple settlements between provincial and federal governments and indigenous peoples concerning land and treaty entitlement claims. The Mohawk people’s defense of their land has garnered attention. Despite ongoing disputes over land ownership, the treatment of indigenous communities has improved significantly. Negotiation strategies and subsequent agreements were greatly influenced by the Oka crisis, which demonstrated the extreme measures both sides were willing to take.
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