TOP Stories

Is Kahnawake Paying Too Much For Gasoline?
By: E.J. Diabo

Most of Kahnawake's gas retailers have returned power to their gas pumps and have reopened for business after a layoff of at least five months. The re-openings are welcomed by many people because of the competition factor and the lower prices that follow at the pumps. However, controversy continues to cloud the touchy gasoline situation.

Mohawk Council Chief Allan Paul says he is being overcharged at the pumps. It was during tax negotiations with Revenue Quebec in 1993 that Chief Paul learned that natives are entitles to receive a refund for GST and QST, which adds up to approximately seven cents per liter over and above the provincial Fuel Tax, all of which are included in the price per liter charged by gas stations.

In May of this year Chief Paul applied to the government for a refund on taxed paid for gas at Kahnawake stations; he was refused.

Revenue Quebec stated "There is no tax, QST or GST, charged on gasoline purchased by stations which are situated on the reserve."

In a typical case, where the price at the pumps of non-native stations is for example 55 cents, the price of the fuel and its delivery account for 20 cents. The Federal Exercise and Provincial Fuel taxes add another 23 cents and the GST and QST a further seven cents. Station owners are then able to charge as much as they see fit for operation costs and profits.

Chief Paul feels that the savings Kahnawake station owners have made should be passed on to the customer. However, he says this has not been the case, and the equivalent of the taxes are being pocketed by some station owners. Paul likens this to being taxed and claims he is exercising his rights as a Native to be tax exempt.

Chief Paul says stations in Kahnawake are holding the upper-hand, because the refund on the Federal Excise and Provincial Fuel taxes, which account for nearly 23 cents a liter, can only be collected from gasoline purchased on the reserves.

Chief Paul has an outstanding bill of $36 dollars with Caughnawaga Garage which he has held back after requesting the gas bar refund him over $400.00 dollars in GST and QST taxes paid on gasoline purchases since 1992. Caughnawaga Gas owner, Johnny Rice, was unavailable for comment.

The Khanata Gas Bar which re-opened recently, has tow separate prices for Natives and non-Natives, to make up for the GST and QST. Non-Natives can purchase a liter at 48.9 cents, while Natives can get gas for approximately 42 cents a liter. At Leclaire Shell Station they have avoided the two separate prices by refusing to sell gasoline to non-Natives altogether. The cost for a liter there is 47.9 cents.

Gas stations in Kahnawake were closed down late last Spring due to a Quebec government crackdown on Kahnawake retailers for not submitting taxes collected on sales of gasoline to nonnative customers. At that time the majority of the gas station owners formed a coalition to fight the government in Provincial Court, arguing that they were not tax collectors for Revenue Quebec. This resulted in the banning of gasoline companies from making deliveries to Kahnawake gas stations. The ban was lifted but only stations within the immediate village area of Kahnawake reopened

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David Cliche Informs Kanesatake Terrorism Must Stop
By: Celine Leduc and Lisa Peterson

According to the La Presse article, several Mohawks have also complained about the constant gun fire. One resident commented that "It's worse than ever." Concerns have been raised that the children are growing up in a climate of civil disobedience. They see their fathers and brothers shoot machine guns and sell contraband cigarettes without the intervention of the police.

The provincial assistant to the Minister of Native Affairs, David Cliche, has reportedly told residents of the town of Oka to put their confidence in Quebec and to cooperate with SQ investigations. He went on to add that "It is normal that after four or five years of carelessness, the citizens of the area lost faith in the justice system." Cliche said that he is asking for nothing more than for the people to trust the new Quebec government and for a "chance to rebuild Quebec as a righteous state."

Cliche, who is considered an authority on Native affairs, stated that he is asking Kanesatake Grand Jerry Peltier to exercise his civil authority to exercise his civil authority to investigate the individuals who terrorize a certain part of the population.

Kanesatake Chief Jerry Peltier, is "outraged at David Cliche, for speaking about matters which are under the responsibility of the Minister of Public Security of Quebec." Peltier also issued a response to Cliche's demand for the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake to take action to stop the terrorism in Kanesatake. Peltier said that he does not "condone or encourage any illegality or any kind of unlawful actions as insinuated by Mr. Cliche. We say, give us the tools and we will ensure, as far as humanly possible, that there is peace and security in Kanesatake and the immediate adjacent areas."

Peltier went on to add that he has contacted the Premier of Quebec as well as the Prime Minister of Canada on several occasions in order to update them on the situation in Kanesatake. Mr. Peltier said that he believes that, "Mr. Parizeau and his government would profit immensely from an in-depth briefing and exchange of views on the situation in Kanesatake as opposed to adopting Mr. Cliche's tactics of using one-sided misinformation and his comments that indicate he does not understand the scope of the problem." Peltier went on to add that he thinks that Cliche's comments "are foolish and unnecessarily disruptive to the relationship between Natives and non-Natives."

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Mat Night wasn't so Mad this year
By: Lisa Peterson

Mat Night, it happens every year at the same time. The night before Halloween suddenly becomes a night which many Kahnawake residents dread, and trouble-makers welcome.

In years past, some of the pranks usually associated with the night, got a little out of hand. Kahnawake residents have become fed up, and demanded that he pranks and the destruction stop.

This year, much of the community of Kahnawake took responsibility for the community, and demanded that these childish acts stop immediately. As for the teenagers and children, they too seemed fed up with being blamed for everything. Some of them made it known that they felt that a few rotten apples shouldn't ruin the whole bunch.

Chief Peggy Mayo commented that this year's Mat Night "went very well." She attributed this to "the community awareness" and "the mobilization of the community to get involved with the neighbourhood watch." Also, this year there was an atmosphere that seemed evident, the attitude about Mat night was that the people are "not going to tolerate this nonsense anymore."

Sure, there was the usual destruction that took place. There were the usual small fires set around Kahnawake, but the destruction seemed to be limited to just the center of town.

With everything that is good, there is always something bad to complement it. This year somebody decided to set fire to the home of Suzanne Phillips. One juvenile was picked up by the Peacekeepers, and was charged with arson. The fire was put out by the Peacekeepers with a fire extinguisher, and luckily there was only minimal damage.

There was also the usual egg throwing pranks, and when the pranksters ran out of eggs, they reverted to oranges, then rocks. These were mostly aimed at the Peacekeepers cars, and at the cars of people passing through the "egg zone" (from about Lafleurs to Rico's). Witnesses said, that an ashcan thrown at the window of Lafleur's store was the cause of it being broken. Damage to the window will amount up to approximately $700.

Officer John McComber of the Kahnawake Peacekeepers said that he was disappointed at Mat night. He said that though it was better than years past, he saw children aged seven years old up to nineteen years old, dressed in camouflaged attire throwing eggs at passing cars. He also saw some adults who were sitting between Lafleur's and Rico's, who said that the only reason they were there was because it was the "best place to be sitting and watching all the fun."

Many people commented that his year's Mat Night was much different this year. Many parents came to get their children when their names were announced on the local police scanner. Many more adults were seen patrolling the streets, and entire neighbourhoods organized neighbourhood watches.

Also, to the people who are worried that there wasn't any respect left in Kahnawake, don't worry, it's there. An elder of Kahnawake reported that her home was the target of some Mat night pranks. After some community members let the kids know what they were doing, the teenagers said they weren't responsible. On Halloween night, these same teenagers went trick or treating and apologized to the woman, and wanted to make sure that she knew that they weren't responsible for the pranks. This just goes to show you that a few rotten apples shouldn't ruin the whole bunch. Our hats off to these young people, you showed us that there still is respect out there, you just have to look for it.

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Tension in Kanesatake
By: Lisa Peterson

On Friday October 28, 1994, the Office of Grand Chief Jerry Peltier issued a statement to clarify any misinformation concerning a rumoured visit of the Quebec Public Security Minister, Serge Menard.

Mr. Menard had plans to visit the area of Oka on Saturday October 29, 1994, but in a statement from the office of the Mohawk Council, there will be no meeting between Mr. Menard and the Council.

On September 28, 1994 Peltier wrote to Premiere of Quebec Jacques Parizeau, and requested a meeting so that they could discuss the "position of the Mohawk people of Kanesatake to the Premiere."

There has been no response to this request to date, however, Jean Paul Charbonneau of La Presse reported on Tuesday November 1, 1994 that a close source of Public Security Minister Serge Menard "stated that a huge operation from the police will take place before the holidays." The source did not elaborate.

A spokesperson for Kanesatake Grand Chief Jerry Peltier said that no comment will be made about the rumoured police raid at this time.

The topic which has stirred so much controversy is a group of people whom some of the press and some residents have called "terrorists."

Past newspaper reports say that residents of both Kanesatake and Oka are tired of the bunch of delinquents speeding in automobiles or shooting machine guns and having the police do nothing about the dangerous situation which they are living in.

Residents, native and nonnative, have said that the gun fire must stop. Some nonnative residents have said that they are anxious to again be able to sleep through the night, because they claim that it is impossible because of the gunfire and sound of spinning tires.

A spokesperson for the Surete du Quebec, Jocelyn Turcotte has reportedly said of the supposed police raid, "finally, the government are asking us to do our jobs. I hope that the direction of the S.Q. will take into account their past mistakes."

According to a press release dated October 28, from the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake, the Quebec Government has no jurisdiction on Mohawk Territory.

Justice and policing issues are under the jurisdiction of the Mohawk Governments.

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Peacekeeper Blotter
By: Lisa Peterson

At approximately 1:30 am on the morning of October 29, Oxford Taxi driver Fernand Leblanc was robbed of $135. Two male suspects choked the man, and threatened to kill him if he did not surrender the money.

A description supplied by Mr. Leblanc led to the arrest of Paul "Boy Boy" Lahache. He was arrested and charged with robbery with violence.

Later that same afternoon, the second suspect, David Rice was also arrested.

Both men were charged in Longueil on Monday, October 31, and detained.

Rice was released on Tuesday, November 1, with many strict conditions. On November 2, 1994 it was found that Lahache would not be released until November 8, 1994, pending his preliminary inquiry.

MARIJUANA FOUND

On Friday October 28, Kahnawake Conservaton Officers and Peacekeepers recovered 40 plants of marijuana in the areas of Johnson's Beach (Big Fence).

The plants had already been cut, and the rest was brought to the Peacekeepers station. Samples of the plants were sent out for analysis.

Someone is cultivating marijuana in Kahnawake and the Peacekeepers want to know who. If you have any information that may be of help, please contact Warren White at 632-6505.

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Editorial

Lac Delage
By: Kenneth Deer - The Eastern Door

The Declaration of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (See page 8) begins the great tug of war between the Quebec Government and the Indigenous Peoples in Quebec.

In a clear and firm manner, the Native Peoples of Quebec have made a strong statement declaring that Aboriginal ownership of land is the basis of our existence and that Quebec's concept of territorial integrity is totally rejected. The declaration affirms the Nation to Nation relationship that is reminiscent of our Two-Row philosophy.

The declaration is as strong as one can expect from a gathering as diverse as those present in Lac Delage. The language declared our right to self-determination without using that exact phrase. It also does not attack the people of Quebec but states clearly that we retain the right to defend ourselves.

Such statements can be expected in a conference like the one in Lac Delage. But now the ball is in the other court. How will Quebec react? It does not take a Rhodes Scholar to predict that divide and conquer has been the best weapon of the white man. The Montagnais will be meeting with the Province soon and Quebec has already stated that they have good relations with them. Quebec is already distinguishing between 'good' Indians and 'bad' Indians. The wedges are already in place.

The Declaration is fine. Will the 'First Nations' be able to retain united under the extreme pressure that Quebec will bear on them?

Watch closely. If we are not careful, we may yet be alone in our struggle to survive.

Halloween Madness

Every year at this time, when we should all be preparing for an enjoyable Halloween, we seem to be preoccupied by the specter of vandalism on Mat Night or Mad Night as it has come to be known.

Pranks on the night before Halloween are not a new phenomenon. It's a practice that has gone on for many years. What has changed is the destructiveness of today's pranksters.

Maybe pranksters is the wrong word. A prank is by definition 'a mildly mischievous act'; harmless fun designed to provoke laughter. Everyone at one time or another has taken part in mischievous behaviour and most of us have learned the difference between what can be considered a harmless prank and vandalism.

Unfortunately there are some of our people that either can't tell the difference or they don't care to know. The recent spray painting of the new Kanien'keha:ka Plaza is not a prank but the latest example of destructive vandalism. This incident is more than just destruction of property, the cost will be in the hundreds of dollars to repair, but more than that it defaces a new property that is a source of pride to the owners and to a certain extent the whole community.

Privately owned, the Plaza represents the growing economic energy of this community. It is not a government project or a make work exercise. It is a viable center of commerce for this community. New, eagerly awaited by its tenants and by customers, the vandalism takes the shine off and undertaking that is a source of anticipation and accomplishment.

Everyone has expressed extreme disappointment with this particular incident. And now everyone is expecting that this kind of 'prank' will only increase over the Halloween weekend.

Young people have come to believe that vandalism is a socially acceptable behaviour at responsibility to tell our children that this is not so. Every parent and adult has a duty to instruct our young on what kind of behaviour is socially acceptable. Mad Night does not have to be a night of 'red alerts'.

Do you know where and what your children will be doing on 'Mad Night'?

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Editorial 2

The breakdown of law and order in Kanesatake is a symptom of the Indian Act.
By: Kenneth Deer - The Eastern Door

It is unfortunate that the SQ has to contemplate such serious action in Kanesatake, where a small group of individuals seems to think that they can do whatever they want and not have to answer to anyone.

In every society there are people who behave in anti-social activities. These people tend to intimidate others to get their own way or they are always challenging authority, daring someone to take action against them. Small communities can be especially vulnerable to such groups. Unless the local people stand up to them, these hoodlums can control a town and make life miserable for the community members.

In Kanesatake, such a situation exists. A group of young people, with no social discipline, breaks common rules of behaviour and risks drawing an outside police force into their community. Kanesatake, which presently finds itself in a jurisdictional dispute with Quebec, is itself without the tools to deal with this issue.

The first cause of this problem is the breakdown of the extended family. Young people left without guidance and direction will define their own boundaries of behaviour and these boundaries may not match what other community members feel is reasonable behaviour. In our ways, it is not only the parents but the aunts, uncles and other family members who help nature and raise the young people. There are no such things as orphans or homeless children in our traditional society. Everyone is involved in the upbringing of young people. The pressures of today's society have eroded this process and the modern nuclear family is less capable of dealing with rebellious children.

The second cause of the problem is the Indian Act's breakdown of Nations into individual communities instead of whole Nations causes effects similar to those experienced with the breakdown of the extended family. Without the Mohawk Nation to help a community in its time of need, an individual community is weaker and is vulnerable to continual erosion of its jurisdiction.

In a functioning Mohawk Nation, a social system based on the extended family could be more readily encouraged. Law and order could be enforced by our own court system and a peacekeeper system that can assist communities in need of such help.

Until then, the Quebec Government will assert its jurisdiction on Kanesatake and people without any foresight or reasoning will continually drag their community into deeper and deeper submission.

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