Oka Crisis facts for kids
The Oka Crisis was a big argument in Canadian history. It happened between the Mohawk people and the town of Oka in Quebec, Canada. The argument was about land. It lasted for 78 days and sadly, one person died. The Oka Crisis is a well-known example of a serious conflict between an Indigenous group and the Canadian government.
Contents
Why Did the Crisis Happen?
Land Disputes Over Time
The Mohawk people lived in the Montreal area for a very long time, starting in the 1700s. In 1717, some land in the Montreal region was given to the Catholic Church to use for a religious school. Part of this land included a special burial site for the Mohawk people.
In 1868, Joseph Onasakenrat, a leader of the Mohawk, wrote a letter. He told the religious school that part of the land was meant for the Mohawk people. A year later, in 1869, he and some other Mohawk tried to get the land back. But they were not successful.
In 1936, the religious school sold the land that the Mohawk people said was theirs.
The Golf Course Plan
In 1959, the town of Oka allowed a golf course to be built on some of the disputed land. The Mohawk people took the town to court, but their case did not go through.
In 1977, a group of Mohawk called the Kanehsatà:ke band made an official request for the land. They wanted to be accepted as the true owners of the land. However, they were unable to successfully make this claim.
In 1989, the golf club announced they wanted to make the golf course bigger. The Mohawk people protested this plan. They also took the golf club to court again.
In 1990, the court said it was okay for the golf course to expand.
The Standoff Begins
The Mohawk people set up barriers, called barricades. This stopped anyone from getting to the golf course. The mayor of Oka, Jean Ouellette, told them to leave the area. But the Mohawk people refused to go.
Police Get Involved
On July 11, the mayor called the Quebec provincial police to the town. This made the situation even more tense.
How Did the Crisis End?
Even though the Mohawk people did not get the land back, the golf course was not made bigger. The expansion plans were stopped.
Images for kids
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Members of the SQ Police on September 3, 1990
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Members of the Seton Lake Indian Band blocking a train line to support Oka. An RCMP officer is watching.
See also
In Spanish: Crisis de Oka para niños
