Acts of Defiance

What was the film about?

This film is about how the Kanehsetake members fought for a piece of land that the Mayor wanted to turn into a golf course.  The piece of land was sacred to the Mohawk people and the government had no remorse trying to take it away from the people. 

What time period was the film set?
 The time period of this video is from the summer of 1990.  The video was made in 1992.

What story was the film sharing?

This film was sharing the story on how the aboriginal people yet again had to fight the government for their rightful piece of land.  The Mayor wanted to use the forest to turn into an extension of the nearby local golfcourse.  The people set up barracades to block the roads and the bridge to make thier point that this was unacceptable to thier people.  In this situation there was a great amount of force used by the government and it showed the hatred and racism not just by the Quebec police force but also by the non-native civilians themselves.  The military was brought in eventually only for them to show the same animosity towards the mohawk people.  It seems that in every video or a situation that arises with the aboriginal people the government always shows not only excessive force and power but the fact that it tries hard to suppress the people.  It would take everything in their power to show everything except admit that we have all these rights and have rights to the land. 

Had you heard of the incidents refered to in the film previous to watching it?

What did you know of the incidents before watching this film?
 Yes, i have heard of these incidents from my mother.  I was still young at the time but i do remember her explaining why they were making thier stand.  

Who were the main characters in the film that stood out for you and why?

The main characters would be Joe Horton the chief of the kahnewake reservation because he was brave enough to keep this fight and support his people.  At some parts of the film he tried to make it to a parliament meeting and was stopped by the military and was asked for his ID, registration and other information without reason. 

How do you feel about these incidents and the response from government and miliatary to issues raised by First Nations?
 

The response from the government was in no way helpful no both sides, they refused to some to terms about the land and seemed to make it clear at first that they would negotiate anything with the Mohawk people. At one point they called the warriors Terrorists and stated that they will negotiate with such people. I was surprised that the military would go to lengths to risk the lives of women and children and especially innocent people when the raid happened.  At the beginning of the film a woman showed a tree where the bullets were lodged and explained that they were at chest hieght although the soldiers said they were shooting in the air.

How did you feel after watching the film?
 I felt very emotional watching some parts in this film especially when the military was using unnessary rough force on the Mowhawk people on the bridge and also when the Elders, women and children were being stoned while crossing the bridge for thier safety.  They were assured that they could pass by unharmed and non-native bystanders began to throw stones at the cars passing by.  An Elder suffered a heart attack during the stoning and eventually died a couple days later without any charges being laid in any on the non-native people that were responsible.  I was also shocked that the aborignal people were blamed for a soldiers death that occured during a raid where gunfire was present.  After investigation it was learned that he was shot by one of his own men and also that all the bullets in the trees were from the soldiers side. 

Have First Nations' achieved any of the rights discussed during the film?

The first Nations in this film fought for 72 days, i believe they said it was longer than the struggle at wounded knee.  They fought for the land and the defense of the people that were charged in crimes they were falsly accused of.  By the end of this film it said the Mowhawk people sold a piece of land to the government to make a park for tourists.  The Mowhawk people did say that the government took the wrong piece of land.

Overall what did you think about the film?

This film is very educational and i loved watching it.  It helped me understand more of what my mother tried explaining years ago when we watched it over the news.  

 

Would you recommend this film to others?  If so why?  If not, why not?

I always do reccomend all of these films to others in my family and friends because they will also learn what happened at these difficult times.  These films can serve as a reminder that the aboriginal people will fight for what they believe is right.