Mohawk Warrior Society facts for kids
The Rotisken’rakéhte, also known as the Mohawk Warrior Society, is a group of Mohawk people who work to protect and control their traditional lands. They use different ways to show their authority, like setting up roadblocks or taking back areas they believe are theirs.
The society started in 1971 in Kahnawake, which is in Québec, Canada. They became well-known in 1973. At that time, they, along with activists from the American Indian Movement, had a peaceful standoff with the police in Kahnawake. They had another important standoff in Kanehsatake in 1990, known as the Oka Crisis. Members of this group are called Warriors.
The Mohawk Warrior Flag
The Mohawk Warrior Flag was created by Karoniaktajeh Louis Hall in 1974. Louis Hall was an artist, writer, and activist from Kahnawake. When it was first made, people called it the "unity flag" or "Indian flag." It showed an Indigenous man with long hair, with a yellow sunburst and a red banner behind him.
In the 1980s, the design changed. The man was replaced with a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) warrior. This flag became very famous during the Oka Crisis and was often seen in the news. It became a powerful symbol of strength and determination for the Kanien’kehá:ka people.
Gallery
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Mohawk Warrior Society flag at Beyond NoDAPL March on Washington, DC.
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NoDAPL March on Washington, DC.
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Brother of Leonard Peltier speaking at Standing Rock and Beyond NoDAPL March on Washington, DC.
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Beyond NoDAPL March on Washington, DC.
