Hudson residents invited to take part in events marking 25th anniversary of Oka Crisis

Residents of Hudson are being invited to take part in events organized by the Mohawk community of Kanesatake to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Oka Crisis.

The Oka Crisis was a 78-day armed standoff that started July 11, 1990. It pitted Mohawks against the provincial police force and the Canadian military, which was called in after a barricade was set up to thwart the town of Oka and a developer from extending a golf course onto a burial ground, known as the Pines. A SÛretÉ du QuÉbec officer was killed by gunfire during the early part of the standoff, heightening tensions.

Hudson, located across the Outaouais River from Oka, became a base for police and military operations during the standoff. Some Hudson residents sympathized with the Mohawks, many of whom had over the years crossed the river to work in various trades in the area. Some Hudson residents used small boats to carry food and other goods that were in short supply during the standoff.

Longtime Hudson resident Michael Legg, who has recently been working to forge ties with the Mohawk community through exchanges, said it’s important for non-natives to reflect on the Oka Crisis by attending the 25th anniversary events, which start at 10 a.m. this Saturday in Kanesatake.

“There will be an acknowledgement of the role Hudson residents played in that time,” Legg said of the 1990 standoff. “Essentially, the military set up a base camp here on Cameron. There were helicopter patrols along the shore almost 24/7. So the impact on Hudson residents was quite significant.

A lot of people had to move out of their homes; they couldn’t sleep. The more important involvement is those residents who saw the plight of Mohawks, who were literally cut off from leaving their community and were without fresh supplies, food and medicine. A number of residents here took it upon themselves to go over by canoe at night and take supplies. They were subject to possible arrest because the SQ were patrolling the waterfront. That was a very significant role for Hudson residents.”

Although a proposed flotilla to be launched from Hudson to mark the anniversary had to be scrapped since the Oka shoreline near the Pines area is too rocky, Legg is encouraging people to use the private ferry service to attend the anniversary ceremonies.

The mayor of Hudson, Ed PrÉvost, is expected to deliver remarks during the ceremonies. While he wasn’t a resident of the town at the time of the Oka Crisis, he said the standoff had an impact on the municipality.

“A lot of Hudson residents tried to come help out the people in Kanesatake because many of them could not access food,” said the mayor. “A lot of residents tried to get across the river to bring them food, in some cases, unsuccessfully, and, in some cases, at pretty high risk.

“Basically, I just want to say we were quite affected by the events at the time. In most instances, we stayed by them and as we stand with them today and continue to honour them as both friends and neighbours in the future,” he continued.

Chief Lourena Montour, who heads a planning committee to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Oka Crisis, said the fact some Hudson residents did take actions to help them during the standoff will be noted during the ceremonies.

“It’s reconciliation. That’s the whole theme of it,” Montour said of the 25th anniversary events.

“It’s a time when the world took notice of the little town of Kanesatake,” she added. “It was a big deal. The government took notice and, finally, the whole world learned of all the wrongs that were being done. It was a time of discovery for the people out there. It was a difficult time at the same time. When the army came in, it was hard. We had to leave our homes. We didn’t feel safe here. It was a bad time.

“It’s not fond memories, but it’s a time in history,” she continued.

On Saturday, following opening remarks from various keynote speakers, including Quebec Native Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley, there will be a luncheon, followed by family oriented activities, a musical performance as well as a lacrosse demonstration.

On Sunday morning, Kanesatake will honour four people who survived the Canadian residential schools network that aimed to assimilate First Nations children. A monument will be unveiled.

Last month, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued a report that described the residential schools system, which were established in the 19th century with the last ones being shut down in the 1990s, as “cultural genocide.” It also made about 90 recommendations, including a call for the creation of an Aboriginal Languages Act.