Primary Source Evidence Examining the Oka Crisis, 1990

Minds On: The Oka Crisis What questions do you have about this picture? What is going on in this picture? Develop primary source questions Photo: Canadian Press, 1990, accessed at CBC ArchivesCBC Archives

Oka Crisis: Background Background Information Wikipedia contributors. "Oka Crisis." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 26 Feb Web. 27 Feb The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, One person died as a result. The dispute was the first well-publicized violent conflict between First Nations and the Canadian government in the late 20th century. land dispute Mohawk people Oka Quebec First Nations Canadian government The crisis developed from a local dispute between the town of Oka and the Mohawk community of Kanesatake. The town of Oka was developing plans to expand a golf course and residential development onto land which had traditionally been used by the Mohawk. It included pineland and a burial ground, marked by standing tombstones of their ancestors. The Mohawks had filed a land claim for the sacred grove and burial ground near Kanesatake, but their claim had been rejected in Kanesatake golf course residential development pineland land claim Still from:Obomsawain, A. Khanesetake: 270 years of resistance, National Film Board, 1993.National Film Board

Action: Examine the Evidence Watch the videos Document 1 - Mohawks Protest Golf Course Plans at Oka, CBC News Clip April 1, Document 2 - Tension Mounts at Oka roadblock - CBC News Clip July 11, Document 3- Canadian Army Intervenes at Oka, CBC news clip September 1, Use the questions you just developed for examining primary sources to examine your assigned source

Consolidation: Share Share your results with the class Journal Reflection Which are the 2 most important questions to ask? Why

Action: 4 Corners What should we do today about the Oka crisis? Be prepared to explain why you chose that corner using EVIDENCE Offer them the land they are claiming or equivalent financial compensation. Provide education programs on the issues of land rights and to counter stereotypes of aboriginal people. Establish a memorial or a memorial day Recognize the conflict but offer no concrete response.