Posted: Jun 16, 2021 7:29 PM ET | Last Updated: June 16
The community has been without its own police force since 2004 and Quebec provincial police have patrolled the territory since 2005, but rarely venture within its boundaries.(Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake says it s surprised but pleased that Quebec is finally open to discussing the possibility of re-establishing an Indigenous police force to patrol the community northwest of Montreal, its grand chief said Wednesday.
Talk of re-establishing the force comes after a massive party in Kanesatake attracted several hundred people last weekend despite COVID-19 public health restrictions on gatherings.
Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon said on Wednesday that last weekend s event at a cannabis dispensary called The Green Room, is just the latest example of an incident that needed a police response. The priority is now to re-establish trust, stability and calm in the community, he added.
Kanehsatà:ke community members upset by large gathering on Mohawk land cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Mohawk Council of Kanesatake takes Oka to court over The Pines
A new municipal bylaw turned The Pines, the land that was at the heart of the Oka Crisis, into a heritage site. Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon says it places the authority of the municipality above the Mohawk government.
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Kanesatake grand chief says a bylaw passed in Oka places authority of the municipality above Mohawk government
CBC News ·
Posted: Jan 11, 2021 12:38 PM ET | Last Updated: January 11
The municipality of Oka has passed a bylaw to turn The Pines, land sacred to the Mohawks of Kanesatake, into a heritage site a move that has upset the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake.(Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)
MONTREAL The Quebec government is hoping newly appointed negotiator Paul Girard will be able to find solutions to the years-long tensions between the municipality of Oka and the Kanien kehá:ka (Mohawk) community of Kanesatake, as leaders from the two communities prepare to meet with him. Girard will meet with the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake Monday, and council Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon said he hopes he can help find a peaceful solution. However, Simon wants to make some things clear, starting with Girard s title. I m not too comfortable with the term negotiator because I m not negotiating anything with Quebec at this point, said Simon. Mediation, of course. Try to find some common ground and avenues of peace to settle our disputes.