Volume 1 No. 3
February 28, 1992
KAHNAWAKE MOHAWK TERRITORY
Volume 1 No. 3
February 28, 1992
KAHNAWAKE MOHAWK TERRITORY
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Once again, the Kahnawake Survival School wrestling team took on the best that the Montreal area had to offer and came home with their third consecutive GMAA championship. Lead by for gold medal performances, K.S.S. outdistanced their nearest opponent, Pierrefonds Comprehensive, 104-92.
In an impressive display of overall team depth, the team placed nine (9) wrestlers in the finals, much to the delight of the large group of Kahnawake supporters in attendance. Champions were Kaienta'a Cross (126 lbs.), senior tri-captain, Joel Montour (138 lbs.), second time winner, Ricky Diabo (145 lbs.) and Howie McComber at 189 lbs.
Silver medalists included: Kanentiio Rice (79 lbs.), Kanerahtontie McComber (11 lbs.), David McComber (119 lbs.), Ben Pinsonneault (166 lbs.) and Chucky McComber (175 lbs.)
Grabbing bronze medals were: Sose Kirby (87 lbs.) and Chris Beauvais (189 lbs.). Other solid performances included fourth-place by Cory McComber (119 lbs.), Heath Bordeau (153 lbs.) and John Robertson (heavy-weight).
Coaches Dave Canadian and Danny Stacey were bursting with pride afterwards. Canadian termed it his "happiest moment in wrestling after 17 years," while Stacey felt this was "our strongest team ever."
Both coaches saved particular praise for the effort and gritty performance of Joel Montour. They pointed out how his work ethic all season long served as an example for the rest of the team to follow and how, from the start of the season, he had set a championship as his personal goal and went out to do the things needed to achieve it.
After a grinding day of elimination bouts, the stage was set for an exciting round of championship matches. Most people in attendance could sense that the overall title lay in the balance. Things appeared bleak when the first three K.S.S. finalists lost in very tough matches. Rookie Kanentiio Rice lost 4-2 in a tight defensive battle, while Tontie and David McComber were unable to best a pair of very polished opponents.
The chances for Pierrefonds seemed to be increasing by the moment as Kaienta'a Cross stepped on the mat. A victory was needed to turn back what seemed to be impending gloom. In just twenty quick seconds, a K.S.S. victory by pin gave the team the spark needed as a roar went up from the Kahnawake contingent. In quick succession, K.S.S. had two more victories as Joel Montour and Ricky Diabo dominated their opponents. Montour talked about how he felt before and after the match. "I was ready, not nervous, but ready. Winning this championship is the best thing that I've ever done." Diabo showed the experience of a past champion by pinning his opponent quickly.
Next up was senior, Ben Pinsonneault, coming off an injury suffered earlier in the season. Neither grappler managed to gain any significant advantage as evidenced by the final 2-1 score. Although losing, Ben showed great heart, forcing his opponent to be cautioned for stalling.
The 175 lb. final involved two Kahnawake wrestlers, "Chucky" McComber and Frank Deer, representing Howard S. Billings. Deer showed his talent and the experience gained in also competing with the Montreal Wrestling Club, by pinning McComber. The K.S.S. wrestler, though, gave a solid account of himself.
The final K.S.S. gold was won by lanky senior, Howie McComber in possibly the evening's most entertaining match. Both wrestlers refused to yield anything until late in the match when McComber gained the upper hand and finished things off appropriately with the K.S.S. trademark pin.
Reflecting later on the victory, coach Canadian talked about how much hard work went into the season. "It doesn't get any easier, especially with the injuries and other setbacks we had, but in the end we put it all together." He went on to say he was happiest for "those guys in their last year who put in four or five years to get here."
"It makes it worth all those practices, all those times you could stay at home and do nothing."
An incident took place at around 3:15 on the morning of February 16th. The Mohawk Council press release regarding the incident stated that "A Peacekeeper stopped a Kahnawake resident for suspected impaired driving. It was found out that the driver of the vehicle, Stuart Myiow Jr., had two outstanding warrants for his arrest for unpaid traffic fines. When the Peacekeepers attempted to arrest Myiow, he fled to his home where upon a fight ensued between the Peacekeepers and members of Myiow's family."
The press release further stated that, "Stuart Myiow Sr. and Keith Myiow (respectively, father and brother of Stuart Jr.) were taken into custody and placed in patrol cars. Stuart Jr. then exited the house with a rifle which he proceeded to load...."
At that point, at least two accounts say Stuart Jr. fired at the patrol cars. The vehicle carrying Stuart Sr. was struck in the trunk through the side panel. The second vehicle was hit on the driver's side door.
Warren White of the Peacekeepers told The Eastern Doorthat the officers then left "because of the gunfire," until such time as reinforcements could be brought in. Officer White also told us that threats were made over the telephone by Stuart Jr., to the effect that, "if we didn't release his father and brother within twenty minutes, he (Stuart Jr.) was going to come here and shoot up the place." These threats were made immediately after the prisoners were brought to the Peacekeepers' station.
In response to these threats, the Peacekeepers did not release the prisoner, but rather, transferred them to the Candiac detachment of the Surete du Quebec. Officer White told us "We (Peacekeepers) did not want to do that," but nevertheless, had to "for safety reasons," since "we are responsible for any prisoners that are in here." After being taken to Candiac, Stuart Sr. and Keith were taken to the parthenais Detention Center in Montreal.
Meanwhile, the Peacekeepers maintained contact with members of the Mens' Society, who kept watch from an outer perimeter. After a few hours, the Peacekeepers returned to the scene with reinforcements to secure the area. As events transpired throughout the day, Stuart Jr. reportedly (from the press release), "remained inside his house with several other people." During this time, attempts to get him to surrender voluntarily, had persisted. Some reports also mention school buses being used as roadblocks, while an elderly coupld living on the Old Chateauguay Road, said that Fire Department and Police personnel gave them notice to evacuate at around 2:00 p.m. that Sunday.
The Council's press release finishes up as follows: "At 3:30 p.m., a text prepared by Stuart Jr. was read over the air on the local radio station, "KRK". Myiow's position was that he would surrender himself voluntarily, but under protest the the Peacekeepers if he could be tried in Kahnawake by the people. He further insisted, if taken into custody, that he remain in Kahnawake. This was not accepted by the Peacekeepers.
"At approximately 8:35 p.m., Stuart Myiow Jr. surrendered to the Peacekeepers. Myiow was then taken into custory and brought to the Peacekeepers' station for holding pending a court appearance in Longueuil on various charges.
"Throughout the entire situation, the Kahnawake Peacekeepers maintained the highest measure of control, safety and security for all persons in and around the site of the incident," according to the press release.
Of completely differing opinion, Stuart Myiow Jr. told The Eastern Door that, "This whole incident was a political setup designed to assimilate 'us' (the Myiows) into 'their' system (the Band Council's)." Myiow contends this is the case since his group, 'Are the only traditional people who have fought every policy 'they' (Band Council's) have attempted to implement on our people." Further more, Myiow contends that his group is, "The only traditional people who have title to this land,"since," all other groups in this community who claim to be traditional, work along with the Bank Council, therefore, removing themselves from the Great Law of Peace, therefore, removing themselves from being title holders of the land." Further still, Myiow also contends that his is the only group to warn the Mohawk people of the so called, "Devolution"; the February 29th, 1992 deadline for the Band Council to implement tax policies on our people.
The Eastern Door asked Mohawk Council Grand Chief, Joe Norton, to comment on this February 29th deadline. Chief Norton responding by saying "Other than leap-year, I don't know what the hell he's talking about.
Myiow alleges that, because of his group's aforementioned political posture, the "set" incident was an, "attempt to shut 'us' (his group) up." He added, "But it's never going to happen! They couldn't shut us up when they tried to kill us, and they're not going to shut us up legally, either." Later on in his statement, Myiow also added "The only way they're ever going to get us to relinquish our title to the land is if they kill us - outright, kill us! Which is what was supposed to have happened this weekend (16th). Ome of us was supposed to have been killed."
In regard to Myiow's allegations of "political setup," Peacekeeper Warren White had this to say: "During the talks with the Myiows, their interpretation of what happened was that it was of a political nature, but this department maintained the firm belief that it was purely of a criminal nature. There was no politics involved in trying to shoot or trying to arrest individuals. If someone is drunk or suspected of drunk driving, they'll be dealt with in that fashion. Politics should never become involved in police work.
Stuart Myiow Jr. also made allegations to the effect that the Peacekeepers are subordinate to the Surete du Quebec (SQ). He said that SQ officers were on the reserve "all day Sunday," and that they were in a "red Dodge van with tinted windows." Myiow's allegation here is also based on papers that supposedly proved the existence of an agreement between the SQ and the Peacekeepers. These same papers were passed around at a Community meeting which took place on February 25th. It was the use of the term "Surete de Kahnawake" on what appeared to be standard correspondence between police forces, which sparked the controversy.
Mohawk Council Chief, Davis Rice, told The Eastern Door that, "The Peacekeepers do not have any signed agreement to be under the SQ whatsoever-that's for the record and that's for anyone to challenge!"
Charges for Stuary Myiow Sr. include five counts of threatening death and harm as well as three counts of assault. Charges for Keith Myiow are the same, in addition to one count of possessing a prohibited weapon (a 9mm semi-automatic Luger). Stuart Myiow Jr. faces additional charges of escaping lawful custody, two counts of obstructing an officer, attempted use of a firearm to commit an offense, discharge of a firearm, two counts of threatening death and harm, two counts of assault, possession of weaponry dangerous to public peace and damage to two patrol cars.
Stuart Myios Sr. and Keith Myiow were released on their own recobnizance February 17th, and must report once a week to the Peacekeepers. Stuary Myios Jr. was released on his own recognizance February 19th, and must report once a week to the SQ detachment in Candiac. Preliminary inquiries are scheduled for March 24th at Longueuil Court.
On behalf of Vicki Montour Doxtator and family, I would like to thank everyone who donated so far to help make her son's days a little brighter. I went to visit Vicki recently and brought with me a certified cheque for $2,114.00 + $85.00 cash. This money was collected from some of our businesses and some from just caring people here in town. Vicki could not get over the generosity from the people here who may never have met her son.
I would really like to be there today to see the big smile on his face when he received the pictures, drawings, peoms and jokes that are being sent up to him from the students of Kahnawake. A group of concerned mothers asked the principals of the schools in Kahnawake to help collect funds for Lee's nurses. What they did was have every student from Step by Step, Kateri, Karonhianonhnha, Indian Way, Karihwanoron and Survival School take a paper home with an explanation about Lee on it, and have them find five people who could donate any amount of money. The response was overwhelming. The money was being transferred direct into the Lee Doxtator fund in Hamilton, Ontario. All the drawings, pictures, peoms etc. along with the names of all those who donated and collected will be sent by courier.
Lee is unable to talk or move. How he communicates is by the big smile he puts on his face when he is happy (that smile can light up any room) or by the tears that roll down his face when he is upset or in pain.
Vicki is by his side almost twenty-four hours a day because anything can go wrong at anytime. The nurse she has at night from 10:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. has been instructed to wake her immediately if anything out of the ordinary happens. This nurse is funded by the government. The day nurse, whose hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is being paid for by the Lee Doxtator Fund set up in Hamilton. For two hours in the morning and six hours in the evening, Lee is taken care of solely by his mother. Vicki took a three month course when Lee was still in the hospital to learn everything there is about his machines and his care. She is the one who trains the new nurses that come in.
Vicki's mother Bernice moved from Detroit to Hamilton to help Vicki care for Lee. She is a big help, who knows the machines, but you will usually find her chasing after Lee's active three year old brother Wade. Wade goes to daycare during the day; when he returns he will run to Lee right away and say "Hi, Wee. I'm back; wook what I made for you,' as he hands his brother a drawing he made at school. Lee's face always lights up at this time.
Again, on behalf of the Lee Doxtator Family, I would like to thank everyone for their generosity. It is very much appreciated. Anyone wishing to donate to the Lee Doxtator Fund can do so at the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake, Account #80312, or contact me at 635-8275.
Nia:wen
Lynne Norton
Over the weekend of February 15th and 16th Kevin Ka'nahsohon Deer presented an explanation of teh Wampums, ceremonies and legends surrounding the Great Law of Peace. Charlie Patton and Thomas Deer (Ka'nahsohon's brother) also took part in this presentation at Kateri Hall.
With the help of visual aids, such as a Condolence cane, deer horns and replicas of Wampum, the three speakers told the stories of Creation and the formation of the League of the Five Nations. Their presentation focused on symbolism and elaborated on the spiritual nature of our traditions. They also talked about the Two Row Wampum and what it means in terms of our relations with non-Native powers.
During the presentation, questions from the audience were submitted to the presenters on paper, and some items of minor controversy were addressed. A somewhat misleading flyer, for one, had some people expecting a full reading of the Great Law, as well as an opportunity for the open discussion of same. Issue was also taken regarding the political affiliations of the presenters, and their views on the Code of Handsome Lake. Ka'nahsohon explained that he and his associates were giving this presentation on their own as individuals, regardless of any groupings or ties. Furthermore, their intention was to give only a brief explanation, sharing what they knew about our earliest traditions which long preceded the Handsome Lake Code. Also, there was never any intent to mislead the public with the wording on the Mohawk Council flyer which announced this event as a "Great Law Discussion".
About thirty Kahnawake residents were there on Saturday, while only twenty people showed up on Sunday. For both days, all were treated to lunch featuring soup, sandwiches, fresh berry juice and coffee.
Much discussion has been raised about the term distinct society: Whether Quebec should be granted such status and what it means to the rest of Canada. Quebec's insistence on recognition of its unique culture, language, laws and history as a basis for special rights has caused deep divisions in Canada and a great deal of concern to ourselves as the original people of this continent.
Many of us feel that, if anyone is to be called a distinct society, it should be us. But is being a distinct society what we want?
In law, the term society carries very little weight in the area of rights. Society is used to describe any organized group of persons associated together for specific purposes. However the term People is used to describe a whold body of persons constituting a community, tribe, race or nation. We as Mohawks are more than a community, more than a tribe, part of a race but most certainly a Nation with our own constitution (Kaianereko:wa), defined land base, population, culture, language, laws, the ability to enforce those laws and the ability to make agreements (treaties) with other Nations. These are the activities of a people, a nation. The ability to control our own lives through our own structures and laws is called self-determination, which is the basic right of all peoples in international law. The term society does not imply these rights therefore it would be unwise for us to call ourselves a distinct society but, instead, a distinct People.
Now that we have concluded that we are a distinct people, Quebec may come to a similar conclusion about itself and decide to separate from Canada. Would we be better off in a separate Quebec? What is our role in the separation debate?
It is hard to predict with any accuracy how we will be treated by an independent Quebec. Our arguments for self-determination are the same if not stronger than theirs and this has led to some resentment and inflammatory remarks by some of their population. We may be surrounded by a hostile environment in the event of separation but Canada has done its share in the past of treating us badly and who knows if it won't get worse again after the Quebec question is settled?
In the last separation battle we were involved in, the American War of Independence, the Confederacy took the position of staying out of the fight between "brothers". It respected the principles of the Two Row Wampum and did not want to interfere. Government agents from both sides tried to convince, then provoke the confederacy to join their side. The Confederacy held firm until Joseph Brant and his mercenaries joined the British and caused the American invasion of our territory. The grateful British rewarded Mr. Brant but later even they betrayed his followers.
We should remember our history so as not to repeat our mistakes and stick to our principles no matter how tempting it might be to take sides.
Thahawitha Horn, son of Margaret Horn, won the Eastern U.S. Junior ski Jumping Championship this past February 8th and 9th in Salisbury, Connecticut. The week before, he placed twelfth in Canada at the Big Hills Championship in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Thahawitha is studying and training in Lake Placid, New York. Best of luck to him for the rest of the season.
The K.S.S. juvenile girls basketball team ended their season with a 5-5 league record, narrowly missing the play-offs.
The Kahnawake Old Timers' Hockey Association is rapidly approaching the end of its inaugural season. Games are played on Sunday afternoons, with the accent of fun and a little exercise. Games have been so tight lately that the league office reports a four way tie for 1st place. This is especially interesting considering there are only four teams in the league.
In the last issue of The Eastern Door, February 14, the following paragraph was inadvertently left out from the sports article, "Chateauguay Teams Boycott Mohawk Home Games", by Harlet Delaronde.
"In the meantime the atom team in Kahnawake has lately been playing an atom team from N.D.G. every Tuesday or Wednesday night. The latter team is coached by John Hobbins of McGill University Libraries. Hobbins had responded to a letter to the editor that coach Timmy Norton had written to the Montreal Gazettelast December complaining about our atom team's situation. A salute goes to the atom team from N.D.G."
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