Latest news with #Kahnawake
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Bring people together': pow-wow in Kahnawake marks 35 years since Oka Crisis
Thirty-five years after the start of the Oka Crisis, the Kahnawake Pow Wow aims to build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Allison Deer attends the pow-wow in Kahnawake every year. 'It's an opportunity for us to bring people together, to share culture,' the elder says, adding that she makes sure to bring her family along, including her granddaughter. As sounds of the drums filled the air on Saturday, dancers moved with the rhythm for a celebration of Indigenous culture. But on Deer's mind, it takes her back 35 years to the Oka Crisis when on July 11, 1990, the Sûreté du Québec and Mohawks of Kanesatake and Kahnawake met at barricades following plans to build a golf course on land known as the Pines. There was a 78-day standoff between police, the military and the Mohawk community. Deer, who was 29 at the time, says she knew what she had to do. 'Drop what you're doing. We are going to that front line,' she recalled. Her granddaughter, Iakotonhnhetshera':ion Marquis, feels proud of her. 'I've grown up my whole life hearing stories about it, hearing experiences,' Marquis said. Elder Joe Deom was a spokesperson during the crisis. 'It's important that our people know about the history and understand that we can't allow this to happen again,' Deom said. The pow-wow is a way to build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and Deer says 'we can always remember to bring people together, not divide.' And for the young ones who might not fully understand its significance, the pow-wow is a chance to learn about their traditions.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
What's On in Montreal: July 11
What's On Montreal's Anastasia Dextrene has you covered with all your weekend activities across the Montreal area for the weekend. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Looking for fun with friends and family? There's lots to do around Montreal this weekend. Honour Montreal's firefighters Celebrate Montreal's firefighters in a sporty atmosphere. The Rendez-Vous Familial des Pompiers has races, games and a Firefit competition. It takes place at Angrignon Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. You can find registration details for the 1 km, 5 km and 10 km runs here. Kahnawake Pow-Wow Head to Kateri Island for the 33rd Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow-Wow. The event in Kahnawake celebrates Indigenous dancers, singers and drummers on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. Tickets for general admission are $10 and $5 for ages 60 and up. Admission is free for ages five and under. More information is available here. SoulFest Montreal The second edition of SoulFest Montreal is on until Sunday outside St. James United Church at St-James Square. From choirs to solo artists, you can find music to fit your groove. Details on tickets and the full lineup are here. Montreal International Portugal Festival There's music, food and art at the city's International Portugal Festival. From Friday to Sunday, get free outdoor programming at the corner of Rachel Saint-Urbain streets. To see a breakdown of the full schedule, check here. Festival International Nuits d'Afrique Rhythms of the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America come alive at the 39th Festival International Nuits d'Afrique. Experience more than 700 artists from 30 countries until July 20. Ticket prices start at $15. See the full list of upcoming concerts here. ShazamFest It's the 20th edition of Quebec's outdoor carnival, ShazamFest. Enjoy entertainment, games and food from local vendors at the festival of music, circus and performance art. The event takes place in the Eastern Townships at 2722 de Way's Mills Road in Barnston-Ouest. Each day of the festival, from Thursday to Sunday, comes with its own costume-friendly theme—inner animal, Sci-Fi Rock 'n' Roll, land of wonders and everything multi-colour. Admission is free for children aged 13 and under, and free for all on Sunday. Limited shuttle space to and from Montreal and Sherbrooke may also be available. For more information, head here.
CBC
05-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Budding journalists from Kahnawà:ke share stories from their community
These stories are a collaboration between Concordia University's journalism department, Kahnawake Survival School and CBC Montreal. For the second year in a row, CBC Montreal is proud to support a partnership between Concordia University's journalism department and Kahnawake Survival School (KSS). The initiative aims to inspire Indigenous students to consider a career in media. The collaboration comes out of the university department's Institute for Inclusive, Investigative and Innovative Journalism, which is headed by Concordia's journalist-in-residence and former CBC Montreal radio news anchor Kristy Snell. Journalism students at the university mentored graduates from KSS as they developed story ideas, interviewed subjects and produced videos about people in their community. CBC Montreal gave their finished stories a home on and on the television newscast. Multipurpose community centre Construction of Kahnawà:ke's new multipurpose building is almost complete. The centre will accommodate several community groups, and project members are hoping it will also help boost tourism in the community. This story was produced by Kahnawake Survival School reporter Ranonkwatsheronkwen Abraira with the assistance of Concordia mentor Jared Lackman-Mincoff. Construction of Kahnawà:ke's new multi-purpose building is almost complete 8 hours ago Duration 2:33 This story is a collaboration between Concordia University's journalism department, Kahnawake Survival School and CBC Montreal. Importance of beadwork in Kahnawà:ke In Kahnawà:ke, beadwork helps connect many people to their culture. Kahnawake Survival School reporter Aleisha Diabo spoke with two well-known beaders in the community to find out more. She was assisted by Concordia mentor Chantal Bellefeuille. Importance of beadwork in Kahnawà:ke 8 hours ago Duration 1:38 Passing on Kanien'kéha Kahnawake Survival School reporter Tekaweientehtáhkwen Diabo spoke with Kahnawà:ke's Kanáhne Rice about how teaching her young daughter to speak Kanien'kéha has been a healing experience. Emily Pasquarelli was Tekaweientehtáhkwen's mentor from Concordia. Passing on Kanien'kéha 8 hours ago Duration 2:11 Kahnawà:ke's Kanáhne Rice says teaching her young daughter to speak Kanien'kéha has been a healing experience. This story is a collaboration between Concordia University's journalism department, Kahnawake Survival School and CBC Montreal. Meet the KSS reporters CBC Montreal reporter Matt D'Amours spoke to the Kahnawake Survival School reporters about what it means for them to be able to share stories from their community. He served as a consultant for this project. Meet the KSS reporters 8 hours ago Duration 2:20
CBC
02-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
The Kanien'kehá:ka say a vast swath of Montreal's South Shore is theirs. They want their claim settled
Social Sharing As development creeps closer to Kahnawà:ke's borders, Grand Chief Cody Diabo says the community near Montreal is fed up — watching homes and businesses get built on land they say has belonged to them for centuries, while a 345-year-old land grievance remains stalled in federal bureaucracy. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) launched an information campaign and a new website in the hopes of breathing new life into the land claim, known as the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis (SSSL) Land Grievance. The area in question, about 97 square kilometres, extends beyond Kahnawà:ke's current borders and contains several municipalities across the Montérégie region on the South Shore. "We have to right the wrongs from the past," said Diabo, adding that he's not settling for less than what's owed. "Not only is there the past use that we've been prohibited from benefiting from, but future as well. Because as long as the lands are still not returned to Kahnawà:ke and they're being developed for different uses to other people's benefits, it's a concern." The federal government accepted the grievance in 2003. But Diabo said talks have been slow moving in the decades since, revolving around negotiation protocols — or "negotiating how to negotiate," as he puts it. Michael Coyle, a professor specializing in Indigenous rights and dispute resolution at Western University, said that when Canada accepts a claim, that means its lawyers have decided Canada continues to have an outstanding legal obligation toward the First Nation. "It doesn't commit [Canada] to reaching a particular agreement or to include land in an agreement, but it does commit them to negotiate a claim that they have found to be a valid claim," he said. Meanwhile, Diabo said he wants the government to issue a directive pausing development efforts on SSSL or at least include the band in those discussions. The SSSL includes Sainte-Catherine, Delson, St-Constant, parts of Châteauguay and parts of other municipalities. Righting past wrongs In 1680, French King Louis the XIV granted parcels of land, a seigneury, to the Jesuits to set up a mission and for the use and occupation of the Iroquois, or Kanien'kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke. The Kanienʼkehá꞉ka of Kahnawà:ke are part of the larger Iroquois Confederacy. Historical documents show the grant stipulated that settlers would not be allowed on the land. The Jesuits began granting part of the land to French settlers nonetheless. In 1762, a British general, Thomas Gage, ruled in favour of a complaint lodged by the Kanien'kehá:ka, reversing the concessions. However, the matter was never completely settled and the Kanien'kehá:ka continued to be dispossessed of their lands through the years so that today, Kahnawà:ke's territory accounts for just over 50 square kilometres. Diabo said the band wants to have a serious conversation with the federal and provincial governments to formulate a transition plan. As for the people living in the affected municipalities, Diabo said a successful settlement to the claim doesn't necessarily mean further displacement. "We're not monsters at the end of the day, even though historically that's what happened to us. People moved in and then removed us from our areas," said Diabo. "We're not like that." A spokesperson for the federal government's Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) said the government has been working with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke in the spirit of co-operation and partnership to resolve the outstanding SSSL through confidential negotiations. "We remain committed to a negotiated outcome that advances the priorities of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke," said Eric Head. In a statement, the Quebec government said the negotiations are exclusively between the MCK and the federal government and that it is not participating. WATCH | What's the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis Land Grievance?: The Kanien'kehá:ka say 97km² of Montreal's South Shore is theirs. They want their claim settled 11 hours ago Duration 3:08 While Kahnawà:ke currently encompasses about 50km² of territory across the St. Lawrence river from Montreal, the territory dedicated to the Kanien'kehá:ka's ancestors in the 17th century was nearly twice the size. Much of that land has gradually been developed into Montreal suburbs and infrastructure projects. In Quebec, there are currently 22 specific claims in progress between various bands and the Canadian government. According to CIRNAC, among the 115 claims concluded in the province, almost 60 per cent were settled through negotiation, while just under 40 per cent resulted in the finding of no lawful obligation on the part of the Crown. The remaining two were settled through an administrative remedy. The government frequently chooses to settle grievances by offering land that they make available as a substitute to the disputed land if, for example, there are people living there, Coyle said. In other cases they offer money which the band can use to buy private land. A third possibility, which he said he hasn't seen yet, is the expropriation of private land to settle a dispute. "We use expropriation in a lot of different contexts in Canada. It's being used in Toronto, for example, right now to build new subway lines," said Coyle. Solutions demand creativity, he said. Diabo is hopeful they'll get there. He also hopes Kahnawà:ke's neighbours will get educated on the dispute and better understand his community's perspective.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Kahnawake peacekeepers hired in the shadow of the Oka Crisis ready for retirement
Kahnawake's two longest-serving peacekeepers are retiring after 34 years and a wealth of experience and knowledge dating back to the shadow of the 1990 Oka Crisis. (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News) Two Kahnawake peacekeepers are retiring this weekend after 34 years on the force. Clint Jacobs, 59, and Walter Montour, 56, began their careers a year after the 1990 Oka Crisis when the Kanien'kehá:ka community on Montreal's South Shore was in a different era. 'When I was hired on, and after the crisis, we had to struggle to keep our jurisdiction because there were other police forces that were patrolling the territory, and there was always jurisdictional issues,' said Montour. 'There were times when those same policing organizations would try to contest our jurisdiction, but we're always here.' Walter Montour Kahanwake peacekeeper Walter Montour is the third generation of his family to serve his community. He is retiring after 34 years of service. (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News) 'It certainly was not a popular job at the time,' said Jacobs. 'Within the community, there were a lot of divisions. We had the Oka Crisis that just occurred a year before, and our council was ... feeling they were going to be losing jurisdiction within the community, within the territory.' Jacobs is the longest-serving Kahnawake peacekeeper, joining in July 1991. Montour was right behind him, getting his badge in October of the same year. The two men felt called to the job. For Montour, it was a family legacy. 'My father before me, and his father before him has been a peacekeeper here in Kahnawake,' he said. 'As long as there's been police in Kahnawake, there's been a Montour on duty here.' Montour's brother, Kenneth, serves on the force and will continue in the family tradition. Montour took his father's advice for the job seriously. Clint Jacobs Clint Jacobs retires as the longest-serving Kahnawake peacekeeper working on the force from July 1991 to June 2025. (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News) 'When I was hired on, he sat me down and he imparted wisdom to me. He said, 'You know, you're going to be a police officer now. You're going to be wearing a uniform, you represent the Kahnawake Peacekeepers. You're here to protect the community and make it safe,'' he said. For Jacobs, it was about moving home from Pointe-Claire, where he was living and giving back to his community. 'During the Oka crisis, when the blockade started in Kahnawake here, I felt so distant from my own community,' he said. 'If you looked in Pointe-Claire, it was like it didn't affect them one bit. And some people [asked], 'Why do you even want to live there?' You know? 'Why do you want to associate with that there?' And they just didn't quite understand.' A wealth of knowledge and experience follows them as they leave. 'With that many years of service, 34 years, you lose a little bit of the history,' said Chief Peacekeeper Dwayne Zacharie. 'They were here at a time when it was difficult. They went through times where there weren't as many resources as there are that are available now. They kind of weathered the storm over those years, and they've always been good standing members.' Kahnawake Peacekeepers station Kahanwake Peacekeepers station. (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News) Unlike many police officers, Kahnawake's peacekeepers work and live in the same neighbourhoods as the people they are called on to protect and even arrest at times. 'We know everyone,' said Jacobs. 'I think that gives you a bigger insight about the people you deal with. You also live here, outside of your work, you're interacting with community members. You're part of all the processes in society here. So I think that that has a lot of advantages. It's not just anonymous faces you're working with.' Jacobs added that this familiarity reduces the cynicism some officers fall into. 'To me, Kahnawake is a model of community policing,' said Montour. 'It's because we live where we work, and it'll affect your thinking processes. You're always looking ahead, and I think that's that's the big difference. You have a sense of community.' Both men, as all peacekeepers, function as ambassadors to those outside of the community. Montour recently worked on the multi-force anti-gun trafficking task force with the Montreal police (SPVM), and Jacobs works as a liaison officer with the Superior Court in Longueuil. 'Every peacekeeper, no matter what position they hold, is an ambassador of First Nation policing, and, at the same time, they represent our service and they represent our community,' said Zacharie. Both men are leaving proud of their work. 'What I'm most proud of all these years of service, I would have to say, is again, successfully living my father's legacy, being a peacekeeper on the reserve that we know and love,' said Montour. 'People have come up to me and they said, 'Hey, Clint, I know it was kind of hard, but thanks. Thanks a lot,' he said. 'I can take some gratitude that even though, in the face of it at the time, it's kind of difficult, that extension I gave is kind of reciprocated now, and I think that lasts longer because it's also your reputation.' Jacobs had some advice for young officers entering any police force. 'Try not to get cynical. Really look at why you're doing the job, and always go back to that original desire,' he said. 'Ultimately, it's to help your community.'
