Made Here
Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance
Season 21 Episode 8 | 2h 27sVideo has Closed Captions
In July 1990, a dispute over a proposed golf course to be built on Mohawk lands in Oka, Québec
In July 1990, a dispute over a proposed golf course to be built on Kanien'kéhaka (Mohawk) lands in Oka, Québec, set the stage for an historic confrontation that would grab international headlines and sear itself into the Canadian consciousness.
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Made Here
Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance
Season 21 Episode 8 | 2h 27sVideo has Closed Captions
In July 1990, a dispute over a proposed golf course to be built on Kanien'kéhaka (Mohawk) lands in Oka, Québec, set the stage for an historic confrontation that would grab international headlines and sear itself into the Canadian consciousness.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Hi, I'm.
- Eric Ford for made Here.
- I'm excited to share.
- The award winning 1993 film - from indigenous Quebec.
- Filmmaker Allan Samson.
Kind of stocky.
- 270 years of resistance.
- In July 1990.
A dispute -over a proposed golf - course to be built on.
- Mohawk lands in Oka, Quebec.
- Set the stage.
- For a historic confrontation - that would grab -international headlines.
- And sear itself - into the Canadian.
- Consciousness.
- You can watch Kenneth.
- Sitak and other great - made Here films.
- Streaming on our web site and through the PBS app.
- Enjoy the film.
- And thanks for watching.
- The story you -will see takes place.
- Near Montreal and Conestoga, - a mohawk village.
- Near the town of Oka.
- And in Kahnawake a mohawk.
- Reserve south of the city at the Mercier Bridge.
70km west of Montreal, the municipality of Oka - has approved -a luxury.
- Housing development, and the expansion -of a private - nine hole golf course.
- To 18 holes into the pines, - which is part of the Mohawk.
- Nation's land.
- In the early.
- Morning of March 10th, 1990.
- The people of Kanesatake.
- Begun a protest - on a dirt road.
- Leading to the golf course.
- They were given.
- Until Monday, July 9th, - by the Mayor of Oka to obey.
- A court injunction granted - to his municipality before.
- Calling for police action.
- Are you ready now.
- To abandon the project?
No.
Just let.
In the early 1930s, - some people in Oka began.
- Playing golf on the Commons.
- The Mohawks complained.
- That their cattle - were being chased away.
- With golf sticks, - and that there was nothing.
- For the animals to eat.
- In 1947, the municipality.
- Expropriated the commons.
Even the Mohawks - burial ground became.
- The property of Oka.
-By 1961, -after many trees were cut, - the private golf course.
- Was completed.
-I came up here, and I says, -so where's the roadblock?
They said it's right here.
- I said, this is the road.
- We're blocking.
- This is the road he's been.
- Blocking for three months.
It's a dirt road.
- I thought it was.
- Maybe a highway, you know?
Jeez, John Kerry, - spiritual leader, had just.
- Started burning tobacco, and he was giving thanks.
And, how about 515?
- This one, the Tilden.
- Tilden trucks rolled in and the -the Swat team came out - and the three of us.
- Just looked at each other, -and, -one of the one of the women had said, -they're here.
- Their instincts kicked in.
- And said, - the women have to go.
- To the front because, - it's our obligation to do.
- That to protect the land.
Protect, our mother.
- Well, and I can remember.
- Looking at the faces of, -the Swat team, -and they were all scared.
There were like.
Like young babies - here.
-I'd never met something.
- So strong.
Who had, never met a spirit - because we were fighting.
- Something without a spirit.
There was no thought to it.
They were like robots.
Now, when they kept -advancing, we asked for a chainsaw.
We notched the first notch - and we started.
- The second notch.
Here.
The wind picked up and made - the upper part of the tree.
- Sound like it was falling.
- A cracking sound.
- Like the trees coming down.
They started -and they started screaming and taking off, - and they started tripping.
- And everything else running back to the road.
-But as they were running, -they teargassed us and percussion bombed us.
For sure we weren't moving.
- Now they can try whatever.
- They want to get us out.
But we weren't leaving.
So the phones are still.
When the police threw tear - gas at the people.
- Standing there, suddenly - the wind comes and the smoke.
- Turns towards the police and onto highway 344, - in support of the.
- Kanesatake people, - the warriors of Kahnawake.
- Block all highways leading into their reserve.
By 7 a.m. - they closed the Mercier.
- Bridge, - which handles over.
- 65,000 vehicles a day.
Get down, -everybody get down!
So they start running.
I says hit the ground.
- You got to lay down.
- Because their shots.
- I didn't.
- Know where they were firing.
But once that first shot, - first bullets then, our men.
- Start shooting back.
I mean, in the.
- The people in.
- The pines are very sad - when they hear -that corporal LeMay.
- Has been shot and died.
- And they know.
- That they will be blamed - no matter.
- Where the bullet came from.
After, LeMay was hit, - they come in.
- With the ambulance removed.
Corporal LeMay, - and they all retreated.
- Immediately.
- I believe.
- When the firing started - was when they started.
- Jump on them shrubs and any hitting of a tree, - any hitting of a shrub.
- Or falling would fire it.
- It could have been.
- By accident on their part.
- Whoever had the car.
- Keys must have took off.
- And he left the men.
- Their own men.
-They couldn't run away.
-I mean, -they couldn't drive away.
They couldn't drive away because it was all locked.
- The warriors.
- React immediately.
-They use a front end loader, -abandoned - by the soldier to Quebec.
- To make several barricades, this time -on the main highway.
The 344.
- The first stand -is made in the pines.
- By the longhouse people.
- The Mohawks now present.
- A united front.
- In spite of tensions.
- Among different factions in Kanesatake.
- Warriors.
- From other communities - come to support -their brothers.
- And sisters in the Pines.
I think we we all conducted ourselves, in a very honorable way - because we did.
- Try to avoid violence - and we knew what they came.
- There for.
And we knew that, As it progressed, - something really bad.
- Could happen.
- We just felt that.
- It was something - that you could.
- Taste almost in the air.
- A very.
- Tense atmosphere prevails.
- More than 1000 police.
- Officers arrive in Oka, a village of 1800 people.
- Heavily armed police.
- Set up roadblocks - about five kilometers.
- Outside the village.
- I have already had enough.
- Trouble this morning.
- As soon as they found out.
- I was a mohawk, - they told me no mohawks.
- Today.
Out.
There's three.
On my last second, - the doesn't meet.
- The third stop at all.
- Non residents.
- And all First Nation - residents of Oka are turned.
- Back the way they treat - the media reminds me in.
- Some ways - more of a police state.
- Than a democracy.
Okay.
Could.
Oh, oh.
!
The residents of Kanesatake are bridge is still blocked.
Oh.
The crowd vents its anger on - the effigy of a mohawk.
- Warrior yelling savages!
Seven mayors - from surrounding.
- Municipalities - expressed support.
- For Mayor Willets - decision to call in the city.
- To Quebec.
Mr. John Churchill, - minister of Indian affairs.
- For the Quebec government, - comes to Kanesatake.
- For the fourth time - in an attempt to negotiate.
- With the Mohawk people.
- In his letter of July 9th.
- To Mayor Willett, he wrote - this people has seen its.
- Land disappear - without any consultation.
- Or compensation, -which I consider -unfair and unjust, -and all for a golf course.
Once again, I request that you postpone - the golf.
- Course project indefinitely.
-You next year, -we have an agreement -to reopen, -Mercier Bridge shortly.
- Subject to the working out.
- Of some practical details.
- I also believe that we have.
- The beginnings of a proposal, which would, settle the entire situation, - with the people.
- Of the Mohawk nation.
- So people -in, Kahnawake.
- Did that in support of us.
- And as long as, our demands.
- Aren't being met, the bridge will -remain closed.
- I mean, we're talking about.
- Human lives.
- We're.
- Talking about our rights.
This is our territory.
- And the government.
- Has to acknowledge that.
- Many residents of Oka.
- And Kanesatake - have left.
- Fearing another attack.
After eight days in hiding, may your wallet -reappears and.
I'm angry at the mayor - because he started.
- The whole mess.
- They know very well.
- What they're fighting for.
- And it's probably worse.
- Match than, chest.
Nine holes in the ground.
- A peace camp is established.
- In Oka on this first weekend.
- More than 2500 people come.
- From across the continent - to show their support.
- For the Mohawk nation.
For over 100 years, - they have.
- Tried to look after us, - but they have failed.
- Miserably.
- It is us who can determine.
- What is best for us.
- We will determine.
- Our own future.
The greatest threat to unity and democracy in this country is not to Aboriginal people.
In order to hold back, but rather - the lack of leadership.
- Of the Government of Canada.
- We should wake up and learn.
- That history -can teach you many things, -but you gotta listen.
- This is an opportunity.
- For Canada - to express -whether it can live up.
- To its almighty mandate for human rights.
- That's so.
-Well, it's so well known.
- For throughout the world.
- Why is it that we live.
- In a country - where the police never come.
- To the aid -of the Aboriginal people, -and yet we see them - across this country.
- Being utilized - by provincial governments.
- To suppress the rights - of the Aboriginal.
- People of this country.
The purpose - of today's statements.
- By myself - in the presence.
- Of Father Social, - in the presence.
- Of my colleague, Mr. - Simon Marcus and Claude.
- Ryan, is to clarify once and for all.
And I will repeat, - there is free circulation.
- Of food on both sides.
To bring food and medication - into the community.
- Is a constant problem.
- Volunteers.
- With donations from Montreal - always had to argue their.
- Way past police roadblocks.
- People think.
- The Red cross is helping and they're not helping.
-So far, -they've come in with only -food to feed 110 people, -they told us on Friday - when we started -this operation.
- That they would bring our food in for us.
- Then they told us -no, they weren't.
- Going to come in - because we might be bringing.
- In guns and ammunition.
Six kilometers away.
- They are -stopped at a roadblock.
- Where every item is checked.
- They wait for seven hours.
- And then they're turned back.
There -will be no restrictions - in terms.
- Of the delivery of food.
It has never been the policy of this government -to do that.
- And we want to clarify.
- This once and for all.
- The truck load is taken.
- To this farm where Mr. - Marty agrees.
- To store the food.
- All all of a sudden.
- That the government - has decided.
- To get involved in all this.
- Where have they been for.
- The last 14, 15 days?
- We've been out.
- Food for a while.
This is about -maybe the third - official truckload.
- That has come through.
- We've got very little.
- To give to many - in the federal school.
- At kinesiology, - a food bank is established.
- For those who are afraid to leave the community.
You're seeing things.
- The people are determined.
- To protect.
The Pines.
- Judge Alan Gold is appointed.
- As mediator by Prime.
Minister Mulroney.
It is also announced - that the.
- Army will replace the Askew.
The warriors reinforced their barricades.
- I'm willing to be here.
- Right until the end.
- Something does go down.
- Where we get shot up.
Fine.
You know, -but as far as being afraid, -I mean, I think, - fear is a very big part.
- Of what keeps people alive.
- And, hopefully.
- I'll come out of this alive.
Oh, glory years.
Go home.
Oh, yeah.
You.
- A group of orca residents.
- Demonstrated against the Mohawks -while in.
- Kanesatake people.
- March in support.
- They're back.
- Across the country.
- Aboriginal people blockade.
- Roads and railway tracks in solidarity with Kanesatake.
- After -four days.
- Of intense negotiations, - Judge Alan Gall succeeds in.
- Bringing everyone together.
- There is a feeling of hope.
- And reverence - as John Cree leads.
- Mohawk negotiators - and representatives.
- Of both governments across -the original barricade.
- These barricades.
- Will come down - upon mutual agreement of.
- The terms of disengagement.
- These barricades are just.
- A physical manifestation - of the barricades.
- That have existed - between our nations.
- Since contact - occurred.
- In the Western Hemisphere almost 500 years ago.
You heard that one of the three preconditions - to negotiations.
- Being signed are one.
- The International Federation.
- Of Human Rights will - choose 24 representative.
- To observe the negotiations.
- Two spiritual leaders, clan.
- Mothers, - advisors and attorneys.
- Will be free to come and go.
Three Kanesatake -and Kahnawake will have unimpeded access - to the basic.
- Necessities of life.
I am proud.
To say that, I am a mohawk.
Within the Mohawk nation.
Of the Six Nations.
Iroquois Confederacy.
When we started -this blockade, - something.
- Had to come out of it that would -progress our cause.
And unite our people.
- This agreement is something.
- That our nation - has been searching for.
- For many years.
Recognition of who we are as a people, not just as Mohawk people, - but as the first people.
- Of this continent.
The struggle is not over, as we say in Mohawk.
Which means peace.
- I think there's something.
- Especially significant - in being here in this pine.
- Forest this afternoon to witness a step which we hope will - ensure, as Ellen.
- Gabriel put it, - that there will never, ever.
- Again be another July 11th.
This is -a place of tranquility and great historical and spiritual significance - to the people.
- Of the Mohawk nation.
And we respect that.
- We must live side by side.
- With the native people, with the Mohawk nation.
And I'm very hopeful that we will be able -to arrive -at a peaceful, -negotiated settlement in the mutual respect.
- Of all the peoples.
- That are involved, -as far -back as I can remember, -there has always been a struggle.
I hope - that the creator.
- Will give you the integrity - to fulfill these things.
- Directly and.
My great grandfather, - my grandfather.
- And my father would been - fighting over this and.
- I never thought I'm going - to see it myself.
- To come up like this.
- On the same day, protesters.
- Occupied the Saint Louis.
- Concert Bridge.
- West of Chateau Gate - to demonstrate.
- Against the continuing blockade -of the Mystic Bridge.
- In Chateau.
- Gate, the rioting escalates - until Mohawk protesters.
- Take over a semi-trailer delivering vegetables.
- It is estimated.
- That on one night, - more than 7000 people took.
- Part in the rioting that.
Three days -after the signing, the army makes its move.
- 2600 troops of the Royal.
- 22nd Regiment are deployed in positions near.
- Oka and Kahnawake and await.
- Further orders.
I myself am a traditional, native Treasury - soldier, and.
- I follow our Constitution, - which was given to us.
- By the creator.
And in there it states in our language early, as I can -bring it back to mean in English would be -the men.
It's our responsibility to protect the people -within.
- There is a place in.
- Our Constitution, and when -our services are needed, -our help is our is needed.
We have to go.
- Despite the presence.
- Of the army, - talks begin between Mohawk.
- Negotiators and provincial and federal representatives - at the Trappist monastery.
- In Oka.
The Mohawk people have - always had good relations.
- With the Trappist, - and this place is considered.
- To be a neutral zone.
- Back in Canada, -the target.
- Behind the barricades, - the warriors get ready.
- As the army takes over the town.
At the bottom of the hill, General Ottawa -meets with three warriors.
Flown in from Ghana, walking to warriors from the target - and three.
- From our closest knee.
They are given an ultimatum.
- They have three days.
- To open the Mercier Bridge before the army moves in.
-After the meeting, -the three warriors - are flown back to.
- Canada by Army helicopter.
- Now, they -asked me to move out.
- And go to a hotel somewhere, - just in case.
- Something happened.
What's the use to run away?
If God is willing to die here, I'll die here.
- The irony is that the army.
- Helicopters are landing - behind a sufficient church.
- Where the trouble all began.
270 years ago.
-For thousands of years, -all this land was.
Aboriginal land.
- Long before the white man.
- Came, -the people of the flint, -known as Mohawks, - had govern themselves.
- Within a confederacy - of five nations.
- They called Haudenosaunee.
- The Mohawks were the keepers.
- Of the eastern door of the Five Nations -territory.
- In 1535, on his second.
- Voyage to Canada, - Kirti reached the main.
- Iroquoian village, -now Montreal, -at the foot of the mountain.
- He saw about 50 long houses.
- In the middle of cornfields.
In 1663, - the gentlemen of the.
- Seminary of with Peace in.
- Paris were named the singers.
- Of the Island of Montreal, and so began -the dispossession - of the Aboriginal people.
- Of this country.
-In 1676, -one of their missionaries - began visiting the Mohawk.
- Village, located - where downtown.
- Montreal is today.
- The Mohawks were displaced.
- From their homeland - and moved several times.
- By the suspicions.
- Finally, they were told.
- To move to a settlement - under hunting grounds.
- At the mouth - of the Ottawa River.
- Or Lake of Two Mountains.
- The settlement was called.
- Kanesatake - in 1716, in the name.
- Of the King of France, -Louis the 15, -who was then six years old.
- A written promise was made.
- To the Mohawk nation of land - nine miles.
- Square, on condition - that, should.
- The Mohawks leave, - this land.
- Would revert to the king.
- The king also accorded.
- The suspicions one and a - half miles by nine miles.
- Next to the Mohawks land, - but the suspicions were not.
- Happy with this decision.
- They wanted all the land.
- Because it was a - well established.
- Meeting place for trading.
- A year later.
- They succeeded with the help - of the Governor of Montreal.
- And intending to have - the entire tract of land.
- Granted to themselves.
- They did not inform.
- The Mohawks of this action.
- The deed was sent to France.
- For approval.
- It was pointed out.
- That this move would help -in the -conversion of these savages, -and that in time of war - they would offer protection.
- Against incursions by other Iroquois, - and so the suspicions.
- Became the singers of Lake of Two Mountains, - on land that had been.
- The hunting grounds of - the Mohawks.
- From time immemorial.
- Yet, not knowing.
- Of this treachery, the Mohawks remained -faithful - to the Catholic Church.
- And the King of France, - and fought on the side.
- Of the French against the English.
By 1721, - the last Mohawk families.
- Were persuaded to leave - the island of Montreal.
- And moved to Kanesatake, - understanding that they.
- Would not be asked to move -or be molested again, -they made a wampum - belt as a record of their.
- Rights to the land.
-Just to the west, -the Algonquin - and the Nipissing people.
- Had hunting grounds - on both banks.
- Of the Ottawa River, - and they were also.
- On Lake of Two Mountains.
By 1760, - the British had taken.
- Control of New France.
- A notice.
- Was sent to Kanesatake that unless they pledge - allegiance.
- To the King of England, - their village.
- Would be destroyed.
- The chiefs.
- Met in full council with Sir.
William Johnson.
- They were told the title.
- To their lands and freedom of religion - were guaranteed.
- In the king's name.
- All those who did not.
- Wish to be subjects of the.
- British Crown had 18 months.
- To sell their land.
- The suspicions.
- Were in trouble.
They couldn't sell the land - because the Mohawks.
- Were still living there.
- So four months.
- Before the deadline, - the head of the seminary.
- In Paris transferred title - to the land.
- To the seminary in Montreal.
- The superior of the order.
- Then swore allegiance to King George.
-The third was on February.
8th, 1787.
- After years of being told.
- By the suspicions - that they did not own.
- Any land, not even a shrub, - the Mohawks used.
- The wampum belt to convey - concern to Superintendent.
- General of Indian Affairs, - so John Johnson said.
- Chief Agneta, you see this white line - which shows.
- The length of our land.
- The figures holding.
- Hands who rejoined the cross represent the loyalty - which we owe to the faith.
- That we hold.
- The body represents the.
- Council fire of our village.
The two dogs on the outside - are supposed to guard.
- The boundaries of our land, - and if anyone attempted.
- To interrupt our possession, - it is their duty to warn us.
- By barking.
For the Iroquois, - the wampum belt.
- Was a record of laws - governing a five nation.
- Confederacy -ruled by a council of 50 -chiefs.
- This system of government.
- Would influence the future establishment - of a democratic charter.
- In North America, as the years went by, - every chief.
- Took up the struggle - to have the rights.
- To the land recognized.
Notable among -these was Joseph -under son Conrad, -a young Mohawk.
- The suspicions noticed in.
- Joseph, a man of more than ordinary intelligence and influence -with his tribe.
- They immediately.
- Began to patronize him.
- They sent him.
- To the college, the Morea, - in order to prepare him.
- For the priesthood.
In 1868, at the age of 23, - Joseph was made head.
- Chief of Kanesatake.
- There was a nobility.
- In his character - that scorned.
- Anything that was false.
-For the first time, -the Mohawks had a chief - who could read and write.
- The white man's way.
A secretary -to the suspicions, he soon discovered - the extent of their false.
- Dealings with his nation.
- Chief Joseph, accompanied.
- By Algonquin and Nipissing - chiefs.
- And a group of his people, - marched.
- To the suspicious house.
He confronted the fathers.
- We have come to inform you.
- That you have not dealt - justly with us, and that we.
- Want you to leave our land, - as we do not want to.
- Be robbed of our heritage.
This land was given to - you in trust for the tribe.
- To whom it belongs.
- And how have you betrayed.
- That trust?
- By selling that timber.
- And filling your treasury - with the proceeds of stolen.
- Property.
This land is ours.
- Ours as a heritage given.
- To us as a sacred legacy.
- It is a place.
- Where our fathers lie beneath those trees.
Our mother sang our lullaby.
And you would tear it -from us.
- And leave us wanderers.
- At the mercy of fate.
- The brother.
- Of the Bishop of Montreal - came to Oka.
- And threatened the chiefs - that he would shut them up.
- In Kingston Penitentiary - for life if they did not.
- Obey the priests.
- He also informed Chief.
- Joseph that the government - had bought.
- Land for them in Ontario.
Chief Joseph replied, we will never go there.
- We will die.
- On the soil of our fathers, - and our bleaching skeletons.
- Shall be a witness - to nations yet unborn of.
- Rome's injustice and greed.
- In response, the priests.
- Asked Quebec to send police.
We imprison Chief -Joseph and many of the.
People of Kanesatake.
In July 1990.
This sad legacy continues on Saint Germain Road.
The bus carrying Mohawk - negotiators is intercepted.
- By armed personnel carriers.
- The army informs them.
- That death threats have been received.
- The negotiators.
- Do not believe them.
Their suspicions -are confirmed - when they see.
- The Army advancing.
- But it is such.
- A beautiful day.
I know - you wonder.
- Where the honor has gone.
- Thus, does.
- Your Canadian politicians have any.
Move it!
I'm asking you a question.
- Where are you going from.
- Here?
Then I will stop the.
To our houses and kill us?
Can you please stop this?
- I'm not going to kill anybody.
- Maam.
Well thanks.
- This is how you call.
- Peaceful negotiation, okay?
♪ French ♪ as you can tell.
Okay.
- God, I asked you to go on.
- The other side.
Good.
- Let's go.
-Major Alan Trombley is in.
- Charge of this maneuver.
Why aren't our liaisons - contacted about every move.
- That's being made?
- Because that was.
- One of the agreements.
- This is.
- Seen as an offensive action.
- No tanks up there.
- On those hills.
- That's our land.
- That they're encroaching - upon right now.
- With their tanks.
And we want them -out of here.
Wait.
- Something happens.
- When we're out there.
- This is an.
- Intimidating factor.
That's what they're trying - to save their own safety.
- On both sides.
Please understand.
From.
This move that you make will the last one.
Because from -from here on in, - I guess we're going.
- To be burying each other as we won't move now.
No more.
But my mandate as a soldier, - as a military people.
- Call here.
By our government - is to make sure that we take.
- A position on the ground - so we can ensure.
- The security and the safety -of everybody around here, -so we know we can do that safely without using our no Canadian -military soldier.
Will fire one shot.
First.
- A group of spiritual leaders.
- From Mexico - have come to support.
- The Mohawks.
As of now.
- When have these religious.
- Leaders told these people -the truth as they were stealing land, - killing.
- People, breaking agreements?
- The religious.
- Leaders with them every Sunday, baptizing them -communion, confirmation, -all the sacraments at the Travis Monastery.
- Negotiations are in danger.
- Of breaking down, - but you're ready.
- To go back to the table.
Even if the army doesn't pull back -from that checkpoint, -we're going to go back to -the table and we're going to - we're going to do.
- What we have to do to come -to a peaceful resolve.
We're not going to be -the ones - that's going.
- To walk away from the table.
We're not going to be -the ones -that's -going to pull the trigger.
It seems that the government -wants these talks to fail, - so that they can have.
- A legitimate excuse - to put the army on the.
- Indian people and kill us.
- There's every indication.
- That they, feel that, somehow, they've -been misled and that, - we had known all along.
- About these maneuvers.
- I can say to you.
- That we didn't the negotiators, -representing -the Canadian and, -Quebec government, -and pleaded innocent, - but then when questioned.
- Later, -they said, well, -we we knew that something was going on this morning, but we weren't too sure -what.
Somebody had asked me.
How far -are you willing to go?
I said, six feet under.
- And I think that's.
- What's going to happen.
You're not going to see - you're going to see a dead.
- Fist, - you know, going to see land.
- Claims.
And, they're proving it, but that's what -they want huh.
- Shut up.
-Indian.
- Keep the Indian nation down - where they.
- Had them for so many years.
I go to jail.
- I'm going to walk through.
- Those doors in honor.
I'm not going in -as a junkie.
Nothing to be ashamed of.
Yeah.
-And when I come out, -I'll teach my children and my grandchildren -to fight.
No more compassion.
I've had it.
I was raised as a pacifist.
- I was raised that.
- If you don't want to be have -prejudice on you, -don't put it out.
And we went through a lot.
But this has changed me.
I've never been violent.
- I've never thought.
- To hit out, to strike out.
- But now don't look at me.
- Sideways because I know.
I'll never bow down to them.
- Because you just.
They just.
- Step on your hands.
-If this is civilized, -I rather stay on the side of the barricade.
- Are you going.
- To let us look in the truck - to see.
- If there's food in the well?
That's mine, but - somehow let them come to me.
- To food bank.
- I didn't even know what.
- We was going to come to.
Beds and things like that.
He was himself.
Okay, you get up there.
Oh, yes.
Oh.
Man.
I see boxes full of food that check if you want steak or want to check, either go check.
Satisfied?
Yeah.
- Okay.
-Now, just to make sure that.
- We are okay on the same.
- Okay.
Length of weight.
- Okay.
Yes.
- Three meals a day.
- That has to be served.
- Okay.
-And we've got you.
- Got to give me a to our men.
- I understand.
- Now you agree with me today.
- Right now here in front.
- Of all those camera.
- Yeah, I know.
- You will not object anymore.
No, as long as they could.
- Okay, can I, can I have your.
- Name, please?
- I don't have to want.
- Your real name.
- Just give me a name.
- That you use.
Three, six, two, one 361.
-Okay, -so we have agreed with 361 that from now on, okay.
Every day, at every meal -time, - there will be a truck, two.
- And a half dozen like that - that will be passing.
- Through to go.
- Okay.
To our people.
- On the top of the hill.
Let's just.
No problem.
Come -is it's a truck for food, - not the.
- APC is like the smartest.
- But don't.
- Everybody stay tense.
We need one man and one man.
-If they got a man over -there, -we're short -a man over there.
We got a man.
That's fine.
- But nobody else can get.
- Your rest period.
But.
- It's like an obstacle course.
- That they've set up.
It's harder to go through.
- Day before yesterday wasn't.
- That bad with the army, but now with.
This is really bad.
For founding.
- After.
- Seven days of negotiations, the talks are broken off.
- The negotiators on.
- The government's side - have reached a limit.
- Of their their mandates - and are ill equipped.
- To carry on the, discussions at this time.
- And we are equally.
- At an impasse - on the proposition made.
- By the provincial government - in relation.
- To the depositing of arms, - which, they categorically.
- Do not wish to do.
- And they did not come back.
- With a counter proposal - of how to deal with.
- That issues.
- The Mohawks call their own.
- Press conference - for 7:00 that evening.
- Behind the barricade.
- 13 out of 15 issues.
- Had been agreed upon.
- There remain the question.
- Of sovereignty - and potential arrests.
- For the warriors.
After a disengagement, - a feeling of discouragement.
- Had to be overcome - instead of just this.
- Consciousness.
What is this?
Amnesty implies that - we did something wrong.
- And we are to be forgiven for it.
-Our position is that, -we were defending our nation and our land and -and we are not, -to be blamed for that.
- We are native.
- People to this land.
- We're not -trying to take your land.
- Or anybody else's property.
- You ask if there's.
- An imminent assault here.
Yes, there is.
- Within a few hundred feet.
- From here, you'll find the armed -forces.
- Yes.
They're ready.
- For an assault.
- We were here to protect.
- Our burial grounds - and the pines from.
- A nine hole golf course.
You must keep that in mind.
Have you forgotten?
I'm, I'm, Army flares are frequent.
On Central Main Road, the army -sets up a checkpoint.
- Only a string of razor.
- Wire separates the warriors from the military.
Is it possible to get out?
Yep.
No problem to get up.
- Okay, we've got problem.
- To come in to.
- Problem to come in.
- What problem?
- Who's going to feed.
- The animal?
Why?
What?
Why?
Because it's an orders.
By whom?
- May visiting a mohawk.
- Negotiator - is arrested by the Eskew.
- And detained for five hours.
They came to me -and they said, you're under arrest.
Mrs. Chin.
And I said, for what?
- And they said, for.
- Being behind the barricades - and, for intimidation.
- And all kind of stuff -like that, -not obeying the injunction.
- They'd have to arrest Sydney.
- And they have to arrest, Judge Gold.
They have to arrest, - Joshua.
- Because they have all been - on the other side.
- Of the barricade.
- Just when I told him.
- I'm entitled to a phone call to my lawyer, - the passenger and officer.
- Sitting in the passenger seat -laughed.
- Turn it on.
- He punched me in the face.
- Which gun did you have.
- When you kllled LeMay?
And then what do you mean?
I didn't kill nobody then -just because I said that?
- Not a slap or a kick in.
- A testicles.
They put the cuffs -on my back.
They asked me to stand up, - and one of the officers.
- Asked me if I smoked.
I said I was too.
- I was more than happy.
- To have a cigarette.
!
He lights himself a cigarette.
- Was the smoke in my face.
- Just want a cigarette?
-Just about, -oh, about an inch long.
He puts it down on my belly.
- He put it.
-He actually put his cigaret.
- Out on my stomach.
- And then -he pulls on my pants.
- And he puts it on my pants.
And they call us savages.
I mean.
- And finally I had enough.
- For 2 or 3 hours.
You getting me none.
- I signed it.
An empty sheet?
- Yeah.
- The toughest challenge.
- For any government - in the Western world.
- And our world - is to defend democracy.
- Against people - who do not believe in.
- Democracy.
Well, when he prayed, -we're out of government.
For the way -it's been handling -the situation.
It.
-Okay, -we are not going to accede - to requests.
- From a group of warriors, - some of whom are.
- Not even Canadian citizens and, -whose actions have been - to understate.
- The case, illegal - for some considerable.
- Period of time, - our troops will confront.
- Warriors that have a sizable and effective media -coverage of the warriors and ensuring that they have -a large number -of the modern budget.
- Now, Tony Ross.
- And Garnett are talking.
- There was some question.
- About how - what kind of armaments.
- The Warriors had in there.
- The Army suggested.
- Maybe a mortar, - maybe it's a really tough.
- Machine.
Guns?
What?
- What are the Mohawk.
- Said about that?
- The more I talk, confirm.
- Or deny what they have, what they have.
I mean, I can tell you, -the people standing around -hit me here.
- I guess I can see some kind.
- Of loose rifles.
- I've seen something.
- That looks like semi automatic weapons.
-I'm not a weapons expert, -but just mostly rifles and shotguns -around here now.
But, you know, -nobody will confirm or deny -some of the heavy armaments - in the Army's.
- Talking about the Mohawk.
- You're saying.
- Maybe the Army saying they've got -all this equipment - to justify some sort of.
- Show of greater force?
- Maybe this is the decade.
- That roadblocks - are going.
- To be throughout Canada, because people are fed up, - and the only thing.
- That the governments understand is right here, - fish is dying, the air is.
- Dying.
The plants are dying.
The animals are dying.
We're not too far -behind them.
As the Mohawk nation.
- Oh, the mob attacks.
- A convoy of 75 cars - with old people, children.
- And women from Canada.
-They, -as they leave the reserve fearing an army assault.
Right.
-One passenger, -an elderly man, later - suffered.
- A heart attack and died.
- This is what they threw.
- At my father.
- This is what hit him.
- In the chest.
- Her 77 year old.
- Father was badly injured.
- And I'm gonna remember.
- Those faces.
A number of houses - in the area are vandalized.
- By various people.
-In one case, -two warriors are suspected.
- !
Needless to say, the community.
- Feels this is very bad.
- An agreement to open.
- The Mercier Bridge is reached - between the army and the.
- Warriors of Kahnawake.
The barricades -are dismantled.
And the people of Kanehsatake - are shocked.
- When they hear the news.
They feel abandoned.
- We have tanks now.
- At our heads.
- Army helicopters going.
- By have, machine guns.
- We have a thousand rescue.
- Officers waiting to come in.
But we will not surrender.
We've done nothing wrong.
We're not criminals.
- They try to intimidate us.
- And break our spirit, - create division.
- Amongst our people.
Once that bridge was opened, - it's fairly evident.
- They could do what they like.
Now.
And they're doing it.
- This is what they call.
- Peaceful resolution.
I know.
You want me to help me?
Oh, I can't, I gotta go.
- The warriors.
- Move out of their bunkers as the army invades -the pines.
Get back there.
Look over there now.
Get that, -Meanwhile, under 344, -Fort Pin, - an unarmed warrior in a golf.
- Cart defies the army.
Well, madcap.
He is from sector five.
- I'll leave you behind.
- Because I'm unarmed.
You don't have to be armed.
Want me to hold it?
You put your gun down.
Yeah.
- Come on.
- You got I give you up.
Come on, come on, come on, come on.
- I gotta told you, my mission.
- Is to open the road.
- So everything was blocking.
- The road here.
- I'm ordered to push it -with the dozer.
- You saw behind me.
- I see that's.
- Basically the sign file we got over here.
And the tree police car.
Former police car present.
-Come on, -Shoot!
Shoot!
Get back.
It's time to see.
- We have complications on.
- In a private sector - off of the golf course.
- Right now.
Your your troops are -advancing - very heavily.
- Over there right now and advancing on them.
- And they don't want to.
- Delay a bit.
They and as we mentioned -that, -we are waiting for a call - and then troops.
- Are still advancing.
Could you hold them?
Troops.
- We stop them a halt.
- And not just my bus.
Let's go.
Come on, come on, come on.
- I'll go over there.
- And talk to that company.
-Mountain commander.
-Evidently, -you have a field, phone to contact them, - and I.
- !
Will go over there personally.
Because the negotiation talks -are still on as of yet.
- Just hold your position.
- Right now.
- They're going to hold us.
- Down when it gets dark.
- They want to come out -just basically.
- To the clearing here, - and they will not advance.
- Any further than that.
-We are not weak man, -these are strong suckers.
Hello?
- The warriors withdraw.
- To the treatment center to make their last stand.
-Michael, -we've got something here - on the list for requested.
- To leave the area.
The gate over there.
Please move now.
- The Army.
- Has the media separated.
- Some of us are on one side.
- Of their newest barricade.
-And 50ft away, -I see my fellow reporter.
- Tony Ross.
- On his side of the barricade - and what I think.
- They are doing, - and I'm only guessing.
- At this point.
- What remains is.
- What they are going to do - with the Warriors who are.
- In the treatment center.
- Why don't we just do.
- It, direct?
I mean, is this a rehearsal?
- Today?
- How old?
-At 5:30 p.m., -soldiers took the barricade - for booby.
- Traps.
Nothing is filmed.
For no.
- As the barricades come.
- Down, orders - are given to watch out.
- For runaway warriors.
- Three traditional leaders.
- Arrive - to join the people.
- In the treatment center.
Everything right now.
- Is there any way for.
- A negotiated settlement now or.
I believe there is.
There always has been.
No, no, I don't know.
Hey, hey.
- The Warriors prepare for.
- Another advance by the army.
-Well, -some people of the village - take shelter.
- In the federal school.
- The army officers came over.
- And told us that.
Promised us how many people -were in the shelter, -and we told them about 100.
And they said that -all the men, -women and children -had to go out in the road, -in line up - and get their identification.
- Ready - because they were going.
- To check them all.
- And they said after -they checked.
- Everybody's identification, - the women and.
- Children only could go home.
So we've asked for all human - rights organizations to come.
- And at least have cars ready at the barricades.
So when people are arrested -and, and taken - that there was.
- Somebody will follow them - so they'll know where.
- They're taking them to.
And I'm sorry.
Linda.
- That night, -some of the journalists.
- Sleep out on highway 344, - in front of the treatment.
- Center.
-The next morning, -the army surrounds - the warriors encampment.
- With razor - wire and takes position.
- In the pines.
- The warriors -put up a large curtain.
- To block the view of the soldiers.
- This maneuver.
- Proved to be very annoying to the army.
- Tension.
- Is at the breaking point.
-By nightfall, -the army harasses - the warriors.
- With searchlights.
Shadows on the wall.
This is the end.
I'm talking.
Go, go!
- Some of your guys.
- Throw something on us.
Rocks, woods.
- Some of your guys.
- Use their for by.
To the tear -The barbed wire.
Listen.
Calm your guys.
- Guys, I'm.
- Not gonna... around here.
Understood?
-Understood.
-That's all.
Hey, -do you have any problem?
Go on the line.
- I have a military job.
- To do here.
I got to do it.
Back him in.
- My men will back up.
- As soon as your men - are backing out.
- From the back up, all right?
Yeah.
Prove it to me.
- Time go down.
-Time to the fence.
- With rocks.
Let's go down that side.
Yeah, with big bayonets -up on the side.
That rocks.
- And what a throw him.
- Back at them.
-They took their bayonets -trying to cut this screen.
- Down they go.
- They can't see.
That's the only reason.
- The only reason that -they're doing this.
- Is because they cannot see that light off in a minute.
Get that light off me.
Okay.
Okay.
The men are backing up.
The men are backing.
They're backing up.
- Yeah.
- Right now I don't see it.
Well, that's the thing.
We cannot see you either.
- You go forward right here.
- And you'll see.
- Oh, yeah?
- You guys going to go?
Oh no that's not.
Nobody's gonna do you know -what I might go over there.
I'm not scared.
You don't have a cause.
You should be real proud.
- Look on that.
- Your pictures on the papers.
As cowards.
- And he's right.
- Home to mommy is better.
-You know, in Germany, -you know, to live here, you live a kick your butt.
When you get home.
Wrong.
- The army uses a crane.
- To see over the curtain major Marques Hainse.
M.A.R.Q.U.E.S?
Yes.
H.A.I.N.S.E Yes.
H.A.I.N.S.E - Yes.
Yeah.
-Okay.
Maybe I can see.
Yes.
- That's right.
Not not e-s s-e.
I, n, s, e, exactly.
Okay.
- Whenever a flare.
- Would go out, this, at first - everybody would kind of run.
- To that area and see.
-And when that would happen, -it would leave other areas -unguarded.
You didn't talk to anybody.
I was putting it out.
Ordered it until they come -the cameraman down, then you move.
- It was always.
- That kind of thought - at the back.
-Of your head.
What?
- What maybe it's -a diversionary tactic - or something.
-That's all right.
- I have to go -and investigate.
- Make sure it didn't.
- Burn the pines.
Come on, let's go.
Get out of here.
Hey, hey!
Come on, we can hang out.
- We lodged a few complaints.
- That, these flares are - only heightening the chances.
- Of people shooting - because it produced a lot of.
- Fear.
A lot of, agitation.
Well, which that's not the.
Yeah, I know its a bomb mom.
Yeah, -it's some kind of bomb.
- What happened?
-Just to touch it?
- Dont go.
It's poison.
I guess.
Whats poison?
Makes us sick.
We don't know what it is.
First of all, - the floor went up in this.
- Thing, landed next to me.
- We're sitting here.
- Blocking Bruce's lane.
- They're relaxing.
- Were.
Hear it.
And they made a big - noise in the ground.
- Like a big thump.
- If it had.
- Killed either one of us.
-I mean, -I know everybody in there.
Would be dead.
This is free country.
-But you have your orders, -all right?
Constitutional right.
- You keep your hands away.
- From the camera.
What happens now?
These.
- You just don't know where.
- They're allowed in there.
- Because I say nothing.
- In Kahnawake.
The army raids -the longhouse, even though it had promise - to stay out of the reserve.
- Once the bridge was opened.
- Why not go?
-It's their house, sir.
- It's from order.
From higher.
He's walked.
They're welcome in, sir.
- No reporters, no television.
- Crews across the court.
They all beat us!
- We were laying in.
- Ditches out there.
We were fighting them.
They were punching.
Believe me.
- They pulled my daughter.
- Shirt right off.
- He says we're welcome.
- No, sir.
- The court has.
- Been established, sir.
So no media -crews are not there.
- Sir, I don't have.
- A question here.
- I just take orders.
- The six guys.
Tell me when I try - to stop them.
- From raiding the wrong horse - and smash my face with a.
- But in the back of the head on my eye.
I back my neck.
My hand.
It's all cut up.
-At the treatment center, -when the warriors -learn of the raid, -they react immediately.
Lasagna -is from going to work - and he is having a hard time.
- Controlling himself.
Lorraine Montoya, - who was almost hit.
- By a falling flare -the night before, -is enraged that.
Yeah, - and you got to go.
- Home and live with yourself.
You got to -go home if you're trying to.
I'm a terrorist?
- You guys better go home.
- And educate yourself, because 100.
- Come on.
-Canvas using you on.
- Kids two and going to walk on our women.
Innocent women.
Children.
Is that what you do?
- Just making.
- Kids screaming and crying like I have no time.
- Government kids are going.
- To pay for this man.
- Let me tell you how.
- Dont you try me, I know.
Come on, come on, guys, -let us resolve these things, -okay?
Okay.
- The youngest of the Mohawk.
- Warriors adore is come by.
- Ball went on, a traditional.
- Chief.
Come on, let's go.
Right.
Come on.
No.
Oh, I God.
- Lorraine Thompson -takes the time.
- To pass on the stories - and the language.
- To the children.
Gina Horta.
Vargas.
This Gina Horta.
- Now that rescue boats.
- Are patrolling, the chance - of bringing food across.
- The lake is much reduced.
No big rush.
No way.
No, you're not going -anywhere.
I'm not going anywhere.
After four hours of waiting.
- Every item of food.
- Is inspected - at two different army.
- Checkpoints.
- Margaret.
- Gabriel is allowed in T.C.
- to deliver food.
- For the last time.
- Don't give a Snickers.
- On a question, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
- Well, let's walk.
- In.
You ready?
Go ahead.
Let's walk in.
I'm ready, sir.
-It was.
-I said, -okay, in the name of Jesus.
In the name of Jesus, it.
- I don't believe it's.
- Absolutely for ministers of the gospel.
- We're concerned.
- About people, other acts.
- At least there's.
- Nothing to gain.
And those soldiers?
Well, there's something -!
The gained shows to be gained.
There's people to be gained.
The sun is going down.
- The Warriors.
- Silence speaks of this.
- Some of them have made.
- Their wills.
Another night in it is 4 a.m. alone in his bunker.
- After days of guard duty.
- And no sleep squadrons dances off.
- He is jumped by an army.
- Patrol and severely beaten.
When I first -saw Spud right, - I had a terrific anger.
- Welled up inside of me.
- He was beaten beyond.
- Almost all recognition.
His head was about one - and a half times the size of.
- An ordinary head.
One.
Eye was fully closed.
- He had lacerations.
- All over his head, - and my initial impression.
- Was, anger.
- How could they do this.
- To a person?
- I start yelling and they.
- Start beating my head.
About 25 times.
- I wish you always holding me.
- Down.
- The Warriors.
- Condition is reported - to Major Trombley.
- By a military paramedic.
You're guys - need to be sent.
- To a trauma center.
I'm going to promise you -that.
- Hell be brought bacl.
- As soon as he's okay.
Okay.
- He is not to be interrogated.
- By no one or anything.
No, not at all.
Can I have that -in writing?
- Cannot do that.
- You know, I cannot do that, -youre going to have to take my word.
His life is.
Life is most important -to me.
That's right.
- Right.
It is.
-The most important thing.
- To me right now is the same thing for us.
- Evidently.
-But that's neither here.
- Nor there on that right now.
Please, sir.
- It takes several.
- Hours of negotiations - before the army allows.
- Doctor Gorman inside T.C.
to treat buttons - and a civilian ambulance.
- To take him to a hospital.
-They go in, -but I think it's okay.
You're our hero now.
First thing I found, -everybody searched, -and I saw something - laying in the sand.
- It was about this long.
Was wrapped in leather.
It was a black jack.
- That was the thing.
- That they used on them.
- And I held it by my fingers.
- And somebody says, - let me see.
- It, don't even touch it.
-And he told us, -he says, did not fall.
And says, be careful.
-Finally, the army, -who didn't want him to fall in the hands of the, - and they knew.
- If he died in a jail - that ultimately they.
- Be responsible for murder.
- They had a big verbal fight.
- With the ambulance driver.
- The army MPs in their hands.
- Were on their pistols and, they were, -trying to see that - we got safe.
- Passage, to the hospital.
- So I had seen.
- Him and I had treated him.
- I had sewn up all his wounds.
- When I saw his, picture - on the front page.
- Of the Montreal newspaper, - I wept when.
- I saw it a few days later.
Yes.
I -give him, my word that, - if due to the seriousness.
- Of the injuries - that was assessed.
- At that time, - he could that that.
- The option of coming back could be considered.
Major Tremblay -said yesterday before our cameras, quote, I'm going to promise you - that he's going to -be brought back here.
- As soon as he's okay.
- Did the Army break.
- That promise or not?
No.
Major Trombley is company.
- Company C has changed places.
- With company A.
- Company A is now down.
- In that direction.
-Company C back here, -standard procedure.
- It's just a matter.
- That major Trombleys -troops have been, -in the thick of things for a number of days now, and it's a matter -of allowing fresh troops to get in there - and, major trembleys, troops.
- To perhaps step back a bit and relax.
- Just the idea of bringing.
- Razor wire in the water.
Come on, guys, get real.
- I don't think that they've.
- Really clued in to the idea - that we're not going.
- Anywhere.
Okay?
It's probably a concept that they just can't understand.
- Bob Anton returns.
- To replace Terry Doc Stager, who has gone -to the peace camp - where the people are upset.
- And angry - after hearing.
- About Spud Ranch.
We also we're all here in.
It's a war zone for us.
- So I'd rather die than have.
- Those people you're not.
- They took, -How many more.
- Are they going to take?
- All right.
Ready.
- For questioning?
- Surrounding.
- They got Oka surrounded.
What are the reservations?
Are they going -to surround?
- Try to beat up.
- Women and children.
They push this far enough.
- All I'm asking is don't.
- Let your anger guide you.
- That's what those men have.
- Been fighting for days.
They could talk to you.
They'd tell you to wait -and plan.
Assault properly.
I talked to my brother.
- He said he didn't think.
- He was coming out alive.
That's what we got to do.
- Go home.
- And take care of our kids.
-Wait.
What?
Debbie, -I've been beat.
- So many times by the state.
- Police, the SQ.
I know how it feels.
I know how -those people feel.
- Not afraid to die.
I'm.
- Not afraid to die.
- Not afraid to spend the rest.
- Of my life in prison.
- You're talking about.
- The lives of a lot of people - who've been patient.
- For a long time.
Patients for a long time?
Yeah, well, they're getting -beaten and being beaten.
- Who's going to be next time.
- For them to die?
- No, I'm saying it's time.
- For us to do something.
- Well, let's not.
- Let another one beat him.
- How many times.
- Have they kept one?
- One promise.
-That's what I got.
- One promise me one promise.
- They kept.
-They promise.
- To take all of our land.
And they're doing it.
But hey but the head of, - Myself.
- And, Robert Galbraith, we, - when we heard.
- There was no TV cameras here and that, -people were concerned that a massacre might happen - because it wouldn't.
- Be televised.
We took a small video -camera.
This one, -and we put it in a box, -and we, crawled through the forest, -mostly in our bellies, -got covered with insects, - and we went past.
- The army in broad daylight.
- Come on.
Was expected.
- To shoot at his skill.
See, up in Italy, those.
- Taliban.
-DeSean.
- Jackson, tries again.
- There's all.
- This psychological stuff - about how you can't.
- Get through barbed wire.
Well, -we put a tarpaulin -underneath the wire.
Instead of going over it, -and we crawled underneath - and came through about.
- 730.
This is last Sunday.
- Your eyes.
- And they're trying to blind - is by getting.
- The press out of here.
And I'm not going to leave.
- I'm not going to be blinded.
- I want you to see.
- I want the people to see.
- What's going to happen.
I can understand - why the politicians.
- Don't realize this, - but there's going to be.
- Complete anarchy throughout Canada.
If anybody's heard here, -if anybody's shot, -if a gun goes off, - that's going to break up.
- The country, - that's.
-What it's going to do.
- It's going to -break our country up.
- And I love Canada.
- And I love Canadians.
- Beautiful up here.
- It's really nice.
Okay.
- Let me, let me.
- The people are really great.
And I recommend it -to anyone, - even if we're.
- Not recognized as a nation, - which -brought all Indian nations.
- Together and is fighting.
-So in a way, -our battle is won.
- And to Tromblay -we had it.
- Put there by one of his men.
I questioned him about it.
- He says he had his men.
- Put it there.
- He just to intimidate.
- Me, make me mad.
Doesn't bother me at all.
- There are soldiers.
- Of the Mohawk nation, and, - and they've.
- Conducted themselves - well as soldiers.
- And as warriors.
- And they have been.
- Disciplined.
- They've been real good.
- Men out there to - to hold back.
- And to restrain themselves as much as they have, -even though they've been -fired upon in this siege.
- They maintain a real strong.
- Integrity.
- Bruce.
- Elijah never seems to rest.
- He helps take away.
- The anger from the hearts and the -minds of the warriors.
- Day by -day, you can see.
- The change in their spirit.
- A lot of the guys.
- Too, have changed.
They're not really trying to keep up that hard exterior anymore.
I mean.
- They're gentle.
- And their own way.
- You're seeing more than just.
- The warrior.
You're seeing somebody who's a human being.
It's important that we, Keep our traditions alive.
And, it's really important.
To hold on to our language.
This is what makes us -strong.
Our beliefs.
- And our customs.
- And our prayers.
The songs, the drum.
This is what keeps us going.
- Knows that.
-Right.
That's what.
- That's been.
And you're not over -here, sir.
And guys.
Yeah.
Okay.
- Yeah.
- Free at last, free at last.
Hey, y'all take care.
Good night.
Thank you so much for zero.
- See you guys.
-I want to talk.
- To Ryan Ramirez.
- A photographer for Canadian.
- Press has decided to leave.
- He is escorted out of DC.
- To be questioned by the SQ - at their temporary.
- Headquarters - in the clubhouse.
- At the golf course.
- Most of the French.
- Journalists of cell phone - so they can file their.
- Stories over the phone, - the TV.
-And still, guys, it's.
- Going to be more difficult than I think at this point.
- The only reason people.
- Are staying is, - to, see what happens at.
- The end and to be there for, - the final.
- Assault or the surrender or whatever ends up happening.
Hello, Phil?
Hi.
How are you?
Okay.
Good, good.
-I guess you heard the army's.
Cut off the telephone inside here.
I.
Yes.
- So who knows.
- What's going to happen next.
- So hopefully it's.
- Not our last call for a while to see.
How's the kids?
Good, good.
Yes, I can.
Hi, honey.
How are you?
- Did you have a fun day.
- At your school?
- Really?
-I got your paintings.
- And the big smiley face.
- The happy face.
- And it was beautiful.
- And I got a hanging up.
- Of my work right now.
- Yes.
I shoot.
- All my friends at work, - and they thought.
- It was very beautiful.
I was my other little girl.
I was a little while Yona.
Is she being a good girl?
Did you feed the fish today?
Oh.
I'm happy.
- Oh, daddy.
- Maybe see you soon.
Okay.
- I don't know.
- When I'm gonna come home, honey.
Good, I think, for asthma.
I can hear you.
- And we're going to.
- Bring you.
We're going to.
-If I leave, like, -now that we came, - you're not going to give me.
- Any medicine - once I leave here.
- And you take away the commander, sir?
Yes.
I - can you explain to me how.
- We can be taken into custody - when we're.
- Not accused of a crime?
Can you explain it?
Policy is journalist.
- I confined to.
- Stay over there or to leave?
This is a confined area.
Well, I realize that.
- Yeah.
Now.
- It's at the point right now.
But the condition I have, -which is a chronic asthmatic -bronchial condition, -if it worsens, -can be life threatening.
And if you don't believe me, - call up the Royal Edward.
- Chest Hospital - and ask him for my file.
- My name is cash.
- I'm sure you got a file.
- On me that's sick by now.
- You call up the hospital.
- And ask him because I've ever come close -to death and they'll tell -you it's a decision.
Mr..
It's your decision?
Yeah, my decision is this -if I want medical treatment, -I have to go into custody.
- No, I mean, why.
- Choose of any crime right now by being here?
-Because we don't know, -because we're not allowed to speak to lawyers either.
Excuse me.
We have the doctor's name.
Excuse me.
Sir?
Yes?
- It's impossible.
- To have the name - of the doctor.
- I was speaking with.
No, no, no, - I mean, is there any law.
- In operation here?
I haven't seen it.
- The hotline says.
- They're not authorized to deal with journalists.
What -is going on?
So we don't exist.
24 hours later, Ted Cash - finally receives.
- His medication.
A group of Oka - residents protest.
- Against the peace camp.
Chief, -we've come a long ways clear across from Vancouver - before that, from South.
- Dakota to here.
So we feel that, -we have a right to, -go there and pray with our brothers -and sisters.
We come, -very much, at peace.
- And we.
- Have a pipe with us and, and this pipe is -also it was a negotiation, -a wounded knee.
- We are the ones that are.
- Planned with this earth.
- Cops just came here.
- A few minutes ago - and warned us -if we're.
- Smuggling in people, - they're going to come.
- And are going - to hassle the people.
- At the camp.
And people tries to get in.
That's not right.
- They're treating us.
- Like we're garbage.
- More and more people.
- Are coming to the peace -camp, -but the sky turns them back.
- We're going in there.
- To pray with their brothers.
-I know, I understand you, -but the order from now, - because it's -an emergency zones or.
- You're not allowed to go in.
You must control.
Everything is going in or -you need an address inside.
- There's.
- Thousands of people coming.
- What are you going.
- To let everybody know?
- Turn them back.
-Support like a tomorrow.
- School seven area.
- Especially where?
-Where you people go.
- A place for a camp.
And you mean to detain us?
- No no no no.
- No no tension camp.
- No detention camp area.
- Especially for you.
-If you put your no, no, no, -no, this is my country.
- Don't don't don't.
- Don't make that mistake.
- You know.
- You can make us this way.
We don't we cannot.
- I mean, talking to people.
- Who come from out of the country -here, -they don't have a place, -the country and anybody in the country.
But this is our country, our home, a native land.
It says.
- But not they're putting up.
- Barriers for my people.
- We can go.
- As we do, as we like.
- We got to be careful.
- How we talk - or who we talk to.
- In this country.
Even in regards to our spirituality, - I'm guaranteed.
- Freedom of movement anywhere within Canada.
- And they say I can go in.
- There, be with my people.
- Now that's ridiculous.
-This is not.
- This is not Russia.
-This is not Nazi Germany, -this Canada.
- You allow your leaders.
- Of your country - to just call people names.
- Rather than go and talk with them.
- And you're never going.
- To resolve anything at all.
You're going to cause -is death and misery.
And destruction.
- Destruction of communities.
- Like local destruction - of communities like Kahnawake.
- And all the rest of us.
- I mean, I just can't.
- Say it enough how idiotic - they're acting on the.
- World stage, whoever we are.
What's wrong with talking to one another?
- They're going to act like.
- Children.
- Then they should watch.
- Children a little longer.
- Because right.
- After they get in a fight, -five minutes later, -their best buddies again.
Sorry, you're not there.
They got a bulletproof vest.
- The army finally allows.
- Journalists to approach - the front of the treatment.
- Center at 1205 Journal.
- After the shocking.
- Caliber of their head.
Welcome to South America.
Help us help us.
-But very difficult to do.
Our jobs is unacceptable.
-Please, -I'll ask you right now.
Please welcome back there - there dozen people in there.
- Who are -working hard, -trying to tell the story - to the whole world of what's.
- Going on from that side.
Okay, the journalists - trying to throw their film.
- Across - the barbed wire.
- To other journalists outside - and the armed forces.
- Interfering with that.
- Those films are now.
- In the hands of the police.
- Well, that's.
- A pretty horrible thing.
- They're not allowed.
- To interfere with the human rights here, but they're doing it anyway.
- How many.
- Eggs did they throw you?
- Let's say that they.
- Did throw more than one eggs -at us.
A dozen, -two dozen?
Six.
I don't really know.
But you know, the two eggs -they threw eggs at us here.
- People.
- Are throwing eggs at us.
- So apparently.
- You have too much food.
No, I don't understand that.
- That's not true.
- That is true.
-That vehicle over there, -you see the one with a name already on it?
Yeah.
Take the next vehicle.
- Two eggs landed.
- Right next to that vehicle.
- And they were trown.
- From the inside.
- So you want to show that.
- To me?
You won't be able to see it, -because that's on -the other side of the egg.
- You want to take me over.
-There?
- I can bring -you the shells or the eggs that you got for breakfast.
-Well, -they won't be able to use the shells, -because I know if - you take the camera.
- Crew over there.
Are you here -to pick this up?
- Because we don't know.
- So well, they did.
I'm sorry, but they did the.
Because this.
I'm here.
- This is our.
-This is our food.
- Container that I told this to me.
No, I won't send any food.
- Why not?
-Because I'm.
- Not sending food.
I'm paying this.
I'll bring you up.
Bring you to the show.
No, -I'm going to take them over.
- They want.
- You show us where they hit.
- We're take the camera so.
- They can see what they got.
- No, you can't see it -because that's on.
- The other side of the road.
- Give me the camera.
- I'll tape it for you.
No food, Left here.
- Unless its your own.
- Man on a right.
It's your own lens.
Trying to pull some shit.
We got a turn, please, for Clint.
Thank you for this, Colonel Flynn.
Yeah.
Now I'm all over open.
- We also have a bunker.
- Picked up.
It was so cool.
- And Kathy are engaged.
- To be married to be a good way to.
In the bunker.
In the journalists -bunker in.
- Oka.
-They watch as the SQ.
- Protected by the army - raids the capital island.
- On Kahnawake.
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey.
Hey yo hey you.
Look and.
Oh.
Look.
Are you okay?
No, no.
What the?
- What?
- Whoa whoa whoa oh.
The police say they found firearms.
Do.
-Tell me why you need, -guys in riot gear and Chinook -helicopters to cart away.
Dozens of cases of beer?
No, wait.
- Are you confused.
- And perplexed by that?
No.
Why are they doing it?
- The Chinook helicopters.
- Were not here for the beer.
- I'm sure you know that.
- Thank you.
- People are leaving.
- The peace camp under pressure -from the SQ.
Hahahahaha!
- Oh no sooner do their busses.
- Leave the camp - then they are stopped.
- And everyone is questioned.
- On the restroom, Mabel.
- Maddox data.
Oh my God, what you.
What's your date of birth?
58 until 1958.
And your name?
-Oh.
I live here, -you're blocking traffic and you blocked -that traffic.
- Move you!
- I live here!
- Move your car, please!
- Get off the road!
You work for us.
You work for Canadian, us, or do you not?
You move your car, -do you not?
I live here.
- That's the last time.
- I tell you.
Move your car.
- I live here.
-If you don't move your car.
- After being arrested, you're going to arrest me?
Yes, I live here.
- Is my life in danger.
- To go to my home?
Who do you work for?
Canada -or somebody else?
What?
I don't speak French.
I don't have to speak -French.
Okay?
I know what to my.
I'm going home.
No one's watching.
- I'm going.
- This way.
Where I live.
I don't know what's going on in Canada.
- Any time I'm.
- A citizen of this country, I'm a property owner in Oka.
I know I can do what I know, - and I want to take these.
- People, not the authority for you to go.
- I ask you, -wait a moment in your car.
- For their security.
That's all people.
- Yeah, but why can't we just.
- Leave then?
Wait a minute.
- Okay?
- A few minutes long, - I don't know, maybe.
- A 15 minute look out there.
Could you tell them -I just a little while ago -that as soon as she got - down here to say.
- That she was taken her.
All right, -first for me and.
Sorry, we could go.
Did you speak slowly?
- No.
I'm not.
-I don't speak English.
- Very well.
- Since you don't speak.
- Too fast.
-If you speak too fast, -I don't understand.
- I'm sorry, I.
-I released my property.
- To these people.
Will you check the madame?
If you lose, your property is not, We don't, have to comply like that.
-We refuse because we, -respect for security, for, Oka.
- I know.
- You spoke with your more.
Does.
Are you all right?
- Sure.
-Arrest the man who wants to.
- Stand up for people.
You guys like you.
- That's all right.
-Now you can't.
- Even answer us.
- And then you gonna arrest.
- My husband.
- You stand back.
- And you laugh at us - like we're.
- A bunch of goddamn idiots - for standing up.
- For our rights.
Okay, okay.
- I got a daughter in this.
- Car leave me alone.
That lesson I just play my daughter.
You can't play around.
-But, Madame, -I know I'll take my stuff.
Right.
If you don't, okay?
- I'm not that strong.
-You don't have to.
- Twist my arm, okay?
You okay?
And you?
Are your kids okay?
You okay?
Okay.
Go on.
I I'm sorry, my child.
Okay, okay, okay.
- I don't know.
- No.
Okay.
It's all right.
Really?
Okay.
Your friend, he come?
No, I'm -not going to be quiet.
We have to go there.
- You lied to us.
- We couldn't go there.
- Now we can't stay here now.
- We can't go there.
Where can we go?
That is Canada.
Canada.
A free country for everyone.
- Yeah.
-We're just trying.
- To get, food and clothing.
- And it's -first time.
- We tried with clothing and, - apparently.
- They don't want clothing.
And guys - that are in there.
- Still wearing the same clothes -as July 11th, and fall is coming.
-You know, there's, -women, children in there.
- And, you know, we brought to.
- Warm clothing like, socks - and jogging pants.
- And jogging sweater, things like that.
At the present time, -there are about 20 women -and eight children.
There.
And certainly -these women and - children are not terrorist.
- And they don't - deserve the treatment.
- They are getting.
- They don't allow me.
- To see my daughter.
- They won't allow us.
- To take warm clothing, - and they are no threatening.
- To cut off the food supply.
- Version.
- Just leave it open?
We're not going over there.
- Getting food into.
- The treatment - center is becoming more.
- And more difficult.
Until this wreck.
What's the rest?
-Look, -the bags have been poked at.
Look, they've been stabbed.
- Each one of the bags.
- Of flour, the band, - the cereal, anything.
- That has that kind of bag.
- How do we know that?
- And put nothing in there.
- I just I know that there's.
- A freezer everywhere.
-I just pierce and, I mean, -you guys are very right squished.
- This is the song.
- Soft in my hand.
We'll get to squished out this oil.
It's gone empty.
Basically, -it has been pierced - by something and leaked out.
- All over.
You did a mess.
- Bacon.
They're going to.
- Cholesterol.
It's to death.
Yeah.
Hey, guys.
Hey, Jeffrey.
Hey.
Jeffrey -York of the Globe - and Mail leads.
- The treatment center.
- There's only two reporters.
- Left for mainstream - newspapers.
There's no CBC.
- Reporters left.
- There's no no broadcast.
- Reporters at all.
- Well, I think the thing.
- That's the most unbelievable - is that in a country.
- Like Canada, - we're allowing the army.
- To tell us what, - what can be published.
- In our newspapers - and what can be put on a.
- Nightly news like give to.
At a press conference, - Terry Dog's data describes.
- The negotiators final proposal -for this engagement.
Do you sense - there might be a -risk involved here.
- Because you're willing - to lay down your gun.
- Before they.
- The government.
- Has just announced - that the army.
- Will be replaced by the SQ.
- The greatest risk right now.
- Is that - should the Army pull out.
- As Q will move in and not be interested - in seeking peace.
- And having peace, - they'd be more interested.
- In seeing these men.
Behind a razor wire.
- The Army uses -high pressure water hoses.
- Against the Warriors.
You can fire at the fire -hose.
Maybe we pre k through -condoms - full of water.
- At the soldiers.
Now, where's your wife tonight?
-On September 26th, -after 78 days - under siege, the people.
- Reach a consensus.
They will walk out of DC.
- For the -moment, we.
- Have to endure persecution.
We have to endure our people - being mistreated.
- In the courts, jails -being beaten, -and being bayoneted for now.
- But in the long.
- Course of history, the face of Canada will -be politically, socially, -economically and spiritually changed in back in favor of our people.
Who knows how our - our great grandchildren.
- Are going to rewrite that?
And that's -totally up to them.
- But we will at least.
- Be able to leave the earth - knowing that.
- While we were here, we did all that -we could to set in motion.
For them a better future.
- And so for me, that's.
- What Kanehsatake it is about.
Once the anger goes, - it seems like the only thing.
- That's left is a sadness.
I'm just being tired.
So I think I would - like to just get away.
- And not remember.
- I'll think about.
- It for a while.
Just rest.
Heal.
I'm with good people here.
-Through all this time, -the people took strength - from ancient.
- Spiritual ceremonies.
- Now they prepare themselves.
- To face whatever awaits them outside.
Having these ceremonies.
Me, I realize who I am.
- I didn't come here.
- To kill people.
You know?
- I just came here.
- To protect the land.
- The government.
- Is going to fire.
We only could take so much, you know.
There were never more than 30 warriors here in TC.
-And one spiritual leader, -one traditional chief, - 19 women and seven.
- Children.
And.
- We have to think.
- About the future generation.
- The grandchildren.
- And great grandchildren - constantly talk to them.
- About our ancestors - and how hard they fought.
- For this land and sacrificed their lives.
- And there's a long.
- Trail of, broken promises.
And deals.
But I.
Still.
- Know we're prepared.
- For anything.
If, the people -from DC came out, -they weren't surrendering.
- They didn't have their hands.
- Held above their heads.
They were going home.
But the spirit was there.
We never surrendered.
It was an exit.
We're right now.
Come to me.
- It was like.
- Being in a twilight zone.
- We never did.
- The expected thing.
It was always -the unexpected.
And they.
They weren't ready.
Hey, I'm not bold.
You know.
My baby.
But there was no, no, -no, no.
Wasn't in it.
No.
Go on the ground.
Take a look at those people.
- How do you get out?
- Come on, look at us.
- No more.
- You're a dog on this.
- Back off of it!
Back.
- Off!
Back off!
Back off!
Please!
Come back!
Come on, come back!
Go!
It was bad enough for us.
The women, - I mean.
-The men knew they were going.
- To be beat up on.
- We all took care of.
- Each other as best we could.
- One was that my arm was.
- Trying to break my wrist, - and our guy came over, bang.
- My head on our own, and they put the cuffs on.
- But I would.
- Laugh and say things to them - and we'll give up.
- Your license.
- Everybody.
Those.
- I don't need more.
Start to struggle more.
Should I put more guys on?
- Jump on top of the.
- On women and kids laying - all over the ditches.
- And all that.
- I saw one man being dragged.
- On the ground on his back, - and he was holding on.
- To one of the masks, and another one.
He was standing up and he wasn't doing anything - to provoke the soldiers.
- Or anything, - and they were poking.
- The bayonets at him.
- We were pushing around.
- And they were hitting him, - and he was just protecting.
- The mask.
-A little boy -couldn't get over the wire, -and I grabbed him -by the collar, -and in the confusion, -he just got lost - with his mom.
- And that's when I had him.
- She was laying.
- Face down on the ground - and they had handcuffed her.
- With the metal handcuffs, - and then she had a pack.
- On her back - and she was hurting.
- So they couldn't get the satchel off her back.
-So they says, -cut it off with a knife.
- Well, the boy had seen.
- This, and now it is kind.
After the - 14 year old girl.
- Was bayoneted in the chest.
She was protecting her -four year old sister, -and it was really awful - what saved her from that.
- Being and going straight in instead of sideways?
Must have been the spirits on our side.
Go back and watch it.
And think.
Oh, shoot.
Joe.
Us.
- Some people reached.
- A village in.
Oka.
Is arrested by the SQ.
Oh, what about you?
Come on.
See?
Okay.
Making that house.
- Okay.
- Got what?
I let go my.
Okay.
Yeah.
- Guys.
- Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
I know.
Oh!
Oh, yes.
-000, my family, -our 300ft family.
How are family on the line?
I got to come by.
- They lied to us.
- When is it going to end?
- When are we going.
- To have our rights?
- When are we going.
- To be treated like humans?
Look at doc.
When is it going to end?
- When US has.
- All the headstones lined up, - that's not.
- When it's going to end.
Their cycle is not finished.
It's not finished.
I just oh, up.
Oh.
Hey, hey, Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Oh.
- They got us.
- Leaning against the bus, - and they started putting.
- The, plastic handcuffs on.
And then we got inside - and somebody had.
- A fingernail clipper, -and as they came in, -we were snipping them off.
So we had a whole bunch of, these plastic bands and, - funny.
-Then I threw them out.
- The window a little while later also.
And the MP pass by -sees them on the ground.
-I'm not trying to work, -but what everybody was had no handcuffs - except the ones that had.
- The metal handcuffs.
- Then we start rocking.
- The bus like crazy.
We sang some traditional songs - and just just to comfort.
- Every everybody.
- And we just knew.
- We had to stay strong and not to be afraid.
- The MP says if anyone.
- Makes a move, shoot them.
Just shoot him.
- Now, if he'd known.
- Nobody had access, then - we could have jumped them.
- But it was over.
- It was finished -when they found out.
- That we were family people, they thought we were going -to have records -as long as our arm.
-There was families, -husbands, wives, children.
Who's going to leave their family behind?
- How it's going to be written.
- In history.
-If I was a soldier, -I'd be ashamed to say I was.
In Oka, Kanesatake.
The people are brought - to the courthouse.
- For arraignment.
We were here first, - and we sure the hell ain't.
- Gonna leave you day in hell.
This is just the beginning.
It's not the end.
We got children.
- I hope you guys.
- Put your children - through this stuff.
- You put us through.
- These guys.
- Jumped on my mother.
- My mother didn't do nothing.
- Because there any move, - you had to.
- Stick you on a reservation.
You take away your land.
- We don't ask for anything.
- That's not ours.
-You came in, you took, -you took.
Hey.
Hey, guys.
Hey!
- You know where he got.
- Beaten up?
Hey hey hey hey.
I'm.
Do we save -any children?
- And many.
- If we did, it was worth it.
Are you all right?
Yeah.
You know, stay strong.
Okay.
You take one arrow - break it.
-But when you get a whole.
- Bunch, you can't break it.
And that's.
The people -sticking together.
Up, up.
Up.
Oh.
Oh!
Hey!
Oh!
This land is ours.
Ours is a heritage -given to us as a sacred legacy.
- It is a place.
- Where our fathers lie.
Beneath those trees.
Our mothers -sang our lullaby.
And you would tear it -from us.
- And leave us wanderers.
- At the mercy of fate.
July 1992.
- All but three of.
- The defendants in the Orca trial -are acquitted by a jury.
- The cost to the federal.
- And provincial governments was over $155 million.
Mayor Willett was reelected - and the land issue.
- Is still not resolved.
Mr. Lee, does it - get to the general known.
- As Thompson?
- Stand firm?
-A mega-mall from Oscar.
- Sony died February 1992.
He was 49 years old for him, and believe -he had taken part - in the resistance.
- At Wounded Knee.
Gonna get Rusty, gauche, -Aqua, -Szczesny and Canister Dog go back to learning spiritual ways.
- And that way.
- Everybody will be strong.
And and I, you know, and and you're right.
But, well, No, not now, but, when, but, when, and it had one.
From that's a part of us.
That's a part of me.
- These trees are -the biggest ones.
- I've seen in our territory - before.
- The Europeans came, - we had trees like this.
- All over the place.
- We were a small number.
- Of people, but the quality - of the people that were.
- There was was just outstanding.
You, - partnering.
- With local filmmakers - to bring you.
- Stories made here.
-For more, -visit vermontpublic.org.
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