Oka Crisis Essay

The Oka Crisis, otherwise known as The Mohawk Standoff, is a major symbol of unresolved issues in Canadian history. The background and timeline of this crisis unfold racial tensions, police brutality, the commencement of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the initiation of ongoing issues of land disputes between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between the Mohawks, a tribe of First Nations settlers, and the town of Oka, Quebec. ‘It was the first publicized violent conflict between the Aboriginals and the Canadian government. It started on July 11th, 1990 and ended on September 26th, 1990, lasting for 78 days. This crisis commenced when the town of Oka wanted an extension to

a golf course to be built on The Pines, which belonged to a reserve called Kanesatake.’ (2) ‘This was problematic because The Pines was a traditional, territorial, sacred burial ground, where ancestors of the Mohawks were buried.’ (1) This event was a turning point for the way Canadians viewed Indigenous peoples, and the way they viewed themselves.
The town of Oka had crossed a line when the development of the golf course began without the consultation of the Mohawks. ‘The mayor of Oka was unwilling to negotiate or discuss, therefore protests broke out. Seniors, mothers, children, along with Mohawk warriors took on the streets and blocked the Mercier Bridge. This barricade caused traffic congestion and blockage of major roads.’ (1) ‘The bridge was a vital link from the suburbs into Montreal, and as a result, the Mohawks seized it to put pressure on the government.’ (2) ‘The mayor of Oka asked Quebec's provincial police force, Sûrete du Quebec, to intervene. Armed forces were sent to dismantle the blockade, who reacted by utilizing concussion grenades and tear gas canisters.’ (1) ‘The Mohawks refused to surrender and got into clashes with the police and the military. They tried to negotiate an end to the protest; however, the siege ended when the Mohawk warriors burned their weapons and moved out of the area.’ (2) ‘The barricades made of dirt came down, and the police vehicles evacuated, in return for the cancellation of the golf course expansion.’ (3) ‘The crisis was well documented, and inspired many books and films. News organizations from the USA and Europe sent correspondents to cover the developing crisis.’ (1) This long event resulted in the deaths of two individuals, one of whom was a police officer, while the other was a Mohawk senior; however, this crisis helped set the tone for Indigenous resistance.
Along with the tensions between the government and the Mohawks, there were also tensions between the town of Oka and the Mohawks, as well as tensions within the Mohawk community. ‘Local racial tensions escalated as white citizens demanded an end to this “ridiculous act.” However, a large solidarity movement arose to support the Mohawks, which limited the military violence by the government.’ (2) ‘Mohawks at Kahnawàike rallied to support their kin by also blockading the Mercier Bridge.’ (3) ‘Tensions within the Mohawk community emerged when a group of Mohawks decided to negotiate with the government, while the rest felt like there was no need to negotiate because the land was theirs and no compromise would satisfy them. They felt betrayed by their own people.’ (1) This is relevant in Canada today, but to a much smaller extent. Some non-Aboriginal Canadians feel like the Aboriginal community is asking for too much, while the majority of non-Aboriginal Canadians sympathize with their living conditions and the way they are being treated.
Not only did the Mohawks face racial tensions, but also police brutality.

They suffered at the hands of the provincial police. “[The police] took my cousin Angus Jacob and brought him to the back of a barn and handcuffed him to a metal chair. They pulled his pants down and they started electrocuting his testicles to get him to talk,” said Serge Simon, grand chief of Kanesatake. (3) ‘Many protesters faced criminal charges, but most were not found guilty.’ (4) ‘An investigation held after the crisis revealed problems within the provincial police’s handling of the situation, one of which being prejudice from some members of the police force in Quebec towards the Mohawks.’ (8) Aboriginal peoples in Canada continue to face discrimination, and face criminal charges for crimes they did not commit. ‘Aboriginal people make up only 4% of the Canadian population, but approximately 23.3% of the federal inmate population is Aboriginal.’

(5)
The unfairness that occurred, in terms of everything, led to the commencement of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. ‘This commission’s goal was to establish the foundations of a fair and honourable relationship between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples of Canada. They raised awareness among Canadians regarding land claims.’ (3) ‘They also recommended solutions to controversial issues surrounding Aboriginal peoples. However, it was, and remains to be, problematic because the government is not required to follow their recommendations.’ (4) “The main policy direction, pursued for more than 150 years, first by colonial then by Canadian governments, has been wrong.” (4)
The Mohawks went through a long process to get back their land, but the problem is: they did not.

‘Not only did the construction of the golf course continue while the Mohawks filed a legal protest (which was heard and lost), but they were never handed over the land by the federal or provincial government.’ (3) ‘The Privy Council said the Mohawks could not assert title over the land because they “had not been in the area for time immemorial.” They said Mohawk presence in the region did not pre-date European presence. However, this claim is flawed due to the fact that the government described Mohawks as “descendants of the Iroquois, Algonquians, and Nipissings,” all of whom used that territory prior to and since the arrival of the Europeans. The Kanesatake people, today, under Canadian law live on federal Crown lands reserved for their use, but do not live on lands clearly having status as an Indian Act reserve. There is no clear legislative regime applicable to provide administration of these lands.’ (7) The disputed territory remains an unsettled issue. The Aboriginal minority was victorious when Aboriginal and treaty rights were affirmed in Canada’s constitution, but this did not end their struggles and they continued to face

conflicts.
In conclusion, the events that happened in, and led to, this crisis were absolutely ridiculous. The Mohawks were victorious, due to the fact that the golf course was never expanded, but they faced a wide variety of unfair treatment ranging from racial tensions to police brutality to issues of land disputes. This resulted in the starting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. ‘Polls taken suggested that 70% of respondents believed the government had broken its treaty obligations to Aboriginal people.’ (4) Canadians are told that Aboriginal people must assume more responsibility for their own affairs, but this crisis shows that we, as Canadians, are not ready to accept their actions.