Kahnawake Mohawk Territory Opening Night & Oka Crisis Lecture Notes

Opening Remarks

• Special thanks to the clan mothers and warriors for maintaining and protecting the boundaries of Vanuatu and the forest.
• Car raffle, number 0-7-6-0-2-1.
• The Warrior Society donated a machine for the event.
• Discussion on the legal intricacies and controversies surrounding native activities like bingo halls and lotteries.

Historical Context

• Conflict between Mohawk people and authorities regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction.
• Instances of police violence, including shooting during confrontations around land disputes.
• Details of the raid at Ganezadage near Oka, where police opened fire on Mohawks.

Legal & Political Challenges

• Mohawks' efforts to assert their sovereignty and reject Canadian and provincial jurisdiction.
• Colonial history of disrupting indigenous governance by replacing it with elected band councils considered illegitimate by most Iroquois.
• Significant land losses since 1950 due to governmental projects like bridges, hydro dams, and seaways.
• Archaeological evidence supporting Mohawk claims to ancestral lands.

Political Maneuverings

• International attention, with European Parliament condemning Canada for its treatment of native people.
• Elijah Harper's historical role in defeating the Meech Lake Accord that excluded Indigenous people, leading to greater recognition of native political force.
• Recent actions by Quebec and Canadian governments to control native lands, perceived as preparation for Quebec's possible separation.

Sovereignty & Cultural Identity

• Discussion on identity, jurisdiction, and traditional governance by consensus which colonial rulers outlawed.
• Revival movements and maintaining claims over ancestral lands despite external pressure.
• Native resistance highlighted through blockades and community activism.

Armed Conflicts and Raids

• Details of various armed conflicts between Mohawks and Quebec police, including the infamous Oka crisis over a golf course expansion.
• The intensity of tear gas and semi-automatic weapons used by police, leading to fatalities and injuries.
• Notable incidents of police raids and attacks on symbolic barricades.

Media & Public Perception

• Media portrayal of Mohawk warriors and incidents of violence escalating due to aggressive policing and public protests.
• European delegation's interest in native rights and the international condemnation of Canada.

Community Resistance & Support

• Interactions between Mohawk activists and the general public, including instances of racial tensions and support from various activist groups.
• Use of super bingo halls, flea markets as economic activities and targets for police raids.

International Influence and Negotiations

• Visitors from European sovereign nations and international organizations showing solidarity with Mohawk struggles.
• Support from international missions including humanitarian aid from groups like the Red Cross amidst ongoing blockades and sieges.

Conclusion

• Continued assertion of Mohawk sovereignty and resistance against external control.
• Mixed successes in achieving peaceful resolution or securing rights, with ongoing tensions and legal battles.
• Role of traditional lands and governance in shaping the political discourse and community resilience.