Eastern Door Volume 6 Number 47

Volume 6 Number 47

January 2, 1998

Let it snow, let it snow
By: Tom Dearhouse

On Monday, the National Weather Service predicted 20 to 30 centimeters of snow (that's 8-12 inches) for the Montreal area in one of the biggest storms in recent memory. But by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, most radio and TV weather reports agreed the brunt of the storm had by-passed the Montreal area, peaking around 9 a.m. Tuesday and dumping only half the amount, 15 centimeters, as predicted.

The snow storm was about two hours late, with snow falling around 3:30 a.m. The storm crept up from the U.S. south. A report from travelers on the 401 west from Kahnawake didn't encounter snow anywhere as of 11:30 p.m.

Town workers like Jeffrey Jacobs and Roy Diabo, with their snow plows and salt trucks, started their day at 5:30 in the morning and were expected to keep going until the snow tapered off.

Diabo said the roads would have to be done over again because of the continuing accumulation of snow.

The Peacekeepers were happy to report no major accidents overnight. There was some evidence of motorists off the road, but they didn't need a tow truck.

Meanwhile, most residents managed to shovel their walks as a warm-up for January and February, or if fortunate, got the task done by snow blower or one of the many trucks for hire.

With the falling snow came relatively mild temperatures of -1 to -3 Celsius which was perfect weather for sledders like Jimmy Diabo and his sons on a small hill just around the corner from their house.

"It's not too cold, it's just right. I don't mind the snow. With all the exercise my sons get, they're sure to fall asleep fast," Diabo said, as he held on to the leash attached to his year and a half old Alaskan Malamute.

More of a concern was the threat of dipping temperatures which could cause a power failure. PKs gave a reminder to keep Hydro's number handy: 1-800-363-5300. Keep your account number handy since there are no street addresses. Hydro has promised quick service in the event of a power failure from 20 minutes to two hours.

Residents who can't call Hydro and heat their homes solely by electricity can contact the PKs in the event of a failure, who will then contact the on-call emergency coordinator. Arrangements can be made for temporary lodging at Community Services if needed.

There seems to be a few bugs to work out as a result of a pager test on Tuesday morning with the Emergency Preparedness Team. Kelly Ann Meloche, the on-call coordinator, said one of nine people carrying pagers responded. Nevertheless, the community is well prepared to deal with any storm that may threaten Kahnawake.

RETURN

Kahnawake gives aid to Acteal massacre victims
By: Kenneth Deer

With the report of Indigenous people being killed in Acteal, Mexico, local residents have begun collecting money to help our brothers and sisters in Chiapas.

"I couldn't imagine anyone coming here and shooting my family," said Violet Quinney, a Cree from Saskatchewan, "I had to do something."

Quinney and her husband John Goodleaf have been actively seeking donations to send to Chiapas. They got a quick boost from Sonny Joe Cross, who donated $650 during his radio show on Sunday, December 28.

Cross gave Goodleaf and some guests from Mexico airtime to describe the situation in Acteal and in the state of Chiapas. Their appeal was heard by many people and the community began to react.

Goodleaf and Quinney and a number of volunteers went door to door on New Year's Eve to collect donations. They are also getting support from the different social clubs in the community. Jars and cans are located in various stores in Kahnawake where people can contribute until January 9.

Forty-five Indigenous people were killed and many wounded in Acteal, Mexico on Sunday, December 22, by paramilitary units supported by the local government. Among those killed were 21 women and 15 children many, shot in the back. The raid lasted over four hours without any interference by the police in the area.

The world has reacted with shock and outrage to the massacre. The Mexican government, on the defensive, is scrambling to explain the incident as a local feud, between Indigenous families.

A local mayor has been arrested along with about 30 Indigenous men for taking part in the shooting.

A Zapatista communication blames the ruling PRI party for arming and protecting gangs who are intimidating Indigenous peoples who do not support the PRI party. The also accuse the government of complacency at the very highest levels of the Mexican government.

A national day of action is being planned for the second week of January to protest the massacre at various Mexican consulates in Canada and the United States and perhaps Europe.

Donations can also be sent to the Committee of Urgent Solidarity with Chiapas and deposited at the CIBC Bank, account number 7101139. For information call 514-624-0590.

Those who can't donate money are encouraged to write letters to the President of Mexico to protest the massacre. The address is

Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
President of the Republic of Mexico
c/o Sandra Fuentes
Ambassador
Mexican Embassy
45 O'Connor Street
Suite 1500
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1A4

RETURN

Editorial

Mexico should be condemned for the Acteal massacre
By: Kenneth Deer, The Eastern Door

The massacre of 45 Indigenous people in the village of Acteal was unusual only because of the number of people killed. Hundreds of people have died since the Mexican government started its campaign against the Indigenous People who are fighting for a better life in Chiapas and other states since 1994.

The ruling Party of Institutionalized Revolution (PRI) party in Mexico is fighting for its political life as opposition parties are growing in strength. The PRI not only held the presidency but just about al the governors and mayors in Mexico. After decades in power without any real threat to its political supremacy, the PRI now faces the possibility of losing control over Mexican society. The uprising of the Zapatistas in 1994 embarrassed the government and gave strength to the opposition parties in other states. Change is sweeping the nation.

The PRI are trying anything to keep in power. Corruption is rampant in the Mexican government as the previous Canadian Ambassador to Mexico publicly stated. The PRI is not above bribery, coercion and intimidation. And in the case of Chiapas, not above murder.

The Mexican government, of course refutes these accusations. At first, the government denied the massacre happened, but as more and more information became public, the government had to react and arrest some of the perpetrators.

For years the Zapatistas have been accusing the government of low intensity warfare against the Indigenous Peoples of Chiapas. They were the first to accuse the PRI of being behind the massacre in Acteal. They stated that arms were being supplied to gangs of PRI supporters. These gangs, also made up of Indigenous people, would intimidate, rape, torture and kill Indigenous people who were not PRI supporters.

A local mayor, a member of the PRI party, has been arrested for supplying the arms to the gang that killed the people in Actea. The Mexican government is saying it is a feud between families and there may be some truth to that. But the larger picture of intimidation, torture, rape and murder has prevailed some time, and it is not limited to the area around Acteal.

The Mexican government is waging a protracted war against any opposition in Chiapas and other states. They will stop at nothing to remain in power. To divide and conquer Indigenous Peoples is not a new tactic. It is used everywhere. We cannot allow the government of Mexico to continue to supply arms to one Indigenous group to kill another.

The community of Kahnawake should protest strongly to the Government of Mexico, and in no uncertain terms condemn their actions. The murderers of Acteal should be punished, and so should the murderers of other Indigenous people killed in the last few years.

We must let the government of Mexico know that the world is watching and we must support the Indigenous people of Mexico as they supported us in 1990.

Is there a PRI connection to Project OK

The MCK should be protesting the strongest. They have access to the Mexican government through their Task Force OK. They should be demanding answers regarding the plight of the Indigenous Peoples of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca where human rights violations are common occurrences.

The MCK should also be putting pressure on the Canadian government who are also involved in Project OK to condemn the Mexican government.

Or is the MCK compromised by Project OK? Are they reluctant to comment on Acteal in order not jeopardize their negotiations?

And if the agreement is made, will only Indigenous Peoples who are supportive of the PRI benefit from the agreement? Will this agreement be used by the PRI, the party which clandestinely promotes the intimidation and murder of Indigenous people, to garner political support in Oaxaca to the detriment of other Indigenous people?

The MCK should have clear answers to these questions before signing any agreement.

RETURN

Comics

RETURN