The following paper will summarize the Oka crisis, and a filmed by Alanis Obomsawin. The paper highlights major events during a standoff between the Mohawks of Kanehsatake and the Quebec Government regarding a land claim. A brief summary of the Oka crisis will be provided followed by a summation of Alanis Obomsawin film Kanehsatake: 270 years of Resistance. During the summation of the film messages, depictions, and observations regarding events and the style in which the film was produced are provided. This paper will be concluded with a personal reflection by writer. The Oka crisis was nationally followed and broadcasted through media. The crisis was Located in Montreal near a Mohawk reserve just outside the town of Oka in 1990. The town of Oka at had a private nine hole golf course.
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The land these new developments would occupy was Mohawk land known as the “pines”. The people of Kanehsatake began to protest the planned project on March 10 1990 by blocking the road to the golf course. This would be the beginning of an Indian resistance and uprising. It would be a land claim battle between Kanehsatake people, fellow first nations, and all levels of governments remembered as the “Oka Crises” Following the initial protests of the Kanehsatake people the mayor of Oka delivered a court injunction stating to disperse by July 10 1990. Rather than comply with the injunction the Kanehsatake people created blockades to stop access into the “pines” and disallow the project to proceed. The Mayor asked the Surete Du Quebec (SQ) to intervene. On July 11 1990, the SQ attacked the barricade. A gunfight occurred resulting in the death of a SQ officer. The protest would gather supporters and there would be groups of rioters against the Mohawk people. Negotiations would be held, promises would be made then broken, and violence would
The land these new developments would occupy was Mohawk land known as the “pines”. The people of Kanehsatake began to protest the planned project on March 10 1990 by blocking the road to the golf course. This would be the beginning of an Indian resistance and uprising. It would be a land claim battle between Kanehsatake people, fellow first nations, and all levels of governments remembered as the “Oka Crises” Following the initial protests of the Kanehsatake people the mayor of Oka delivered a court injunction stating to disperse by July 10 1990. Rather than comply with the injunction the Kanehsatake people created blockades to stop access into the “pines” and disallow the project to proceed. The Mayor asked the Surete Du Quebec (SQ) to intervene. On July 11 1990, the SQ attacked the barricade. A gunfight occurred resulting in the death of a SQ officer. The protest would gather supporters and there would be groups of rioters against the Mohawk people. Negotiations would be held, promises would be made then broken, and violence would