Quebec advocates for reallocating 85 hectares back to the Mohawks of Kahnawake community.
Article:Quebec-Kahnawake Land Restitution: A Long-Standing Promise on the Brink of Resolution?
For years, whispers of a land promise between Quebec and the Mohawks of Kahnawake have lingered. A commitment to return 85 hectares (211 acres) made during the construction of Highway 30 in the early 2010s has yet to materialize.
Ross Montour, a member of the Kahnawake Mohawk Council, voices his disappointment, "Quebec still owes us 211 acres [85 hectares]." Ian Lafrenière, the current minister, acknowledges the unfulfilled promise, emphasizing that "nothing has moved" for years.
However, Lafrenière insists that the situation is different now. He claims to have revitalized the file and is working diligently to find solutions. "We can't just go and chop down land or displace folks living nearby. We don't want to create a patchwork of reserve lands as it becomes complex," he explains.
Enlisting additional help, Lafrenière has brought in two "facilitator-negotiators" to work specifically on files pertaining to the Quebec government and the Kahnawake Mohawk Council. Their efforts have not only focused on the restitution of these 85 hectares but also on the conclusion of the Declaration of Understanding and Mutual Respect signed last December. These agreements are seen as symbolic stepping stones towards better cooperation between the parties involved.
The Kahnawake territories reside in an urbanized environment, making land restitution an intricate issue. However, Lafrenière expresses confidence in his team's "creative" approach to finding solutions. "We've found several plots, and expertises are currently being conducted," he says.
The future of the Mohawks of Kahnawake's land remains uncertain, as they continue to advocate for recognition and respect of their unceded territory. This struggle is not limited to this particular plot, as various developments along Route 132 and in the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis Land Grievance region require resolute engagement.
Also read:
- Immobilization Projects Blocked by the Mohawks of Kahnawake
Background
The Mohawks of Kahnawake have been frozen in a battle for land sovereignty, most notable within the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis Land Grievance region. In the spirit of rediscovering a forgotten past and reclaiming their unceded territory, they unequivocally call for both federal and provincial governments, as well as their citizens, to recognize and honor their claim to these lands (1, 2).
Key Developments
- Repeated Land Grievances: For decades, the Mohawks of Kahnawake have been advocating for reforms in Canada's Specific Claims Policy and Process Guide to advance land-back initiatives and settle historic grievances (1, 2).
- Indigenous Activism: Kahnawake's leadership, led by Ohén:ton Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo, has been pushing for collaboration and prioritization of Indigenous communities in land allocation decisions, stressing that "Canada has a land debt" and urging immediate action to resolve outstanding land issues (1).
- Community Empowerment: The Kahnawake Mohawk Council encourages citizen involvement and political pressure to hold decision-makers accountable, aiming to end the era of disregard for their lands (1, 2).
Possible Resolutions
- Policy Reforms: The Kahnawake Mohawk Council insists on legislative and policy changes to expedite land return and ensure meaningful Indigenous participation in land management decisions (1, 2).
- Collaborative Planning: Federal and provincial initiatives involving land use require Indigenous communities to be involved from the outset, seeking to avoid further marginalization and conflict (1, 3).
- Public Engagement: Robust public engagement is necessary to hold governments accountable for their commitments, ensuring that land restitution remains a top priority in political dialogue (2, 4).
The Current Situation of the 85 Hectare Promise
Undeniably, the return of the 85 hectares has been a longstanding promise by the Quebec government. However, no concrete legislative actions or policy changes have yet to facilitate the land's return, leaving a void of frustration in the Kahnawake community. The Mohawks of Kahnawake have been disheartened by the lack of acknowledgment and engagement from federal and provincial authorities (1, 4).
- Quebec's commitment to return 85 hectares to the Mohawks of Kahnawake, initially made during the construction of Highway 30, remains unfulfilled.
- The situation surrounding the 85 hectare promise is heavily intertwined with the Mohawks' ongoing struggle for land sovereignty, particularly in the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis Land Grievance region.
- The Mohawks of Kahnawake have been pushing for policy reforms and legislative changes to expedite land return and ensure meaningful participation in land management decisions.
- The lack of concrete legislative actions or policy changes has resulted in frustration within the Kahnawake community, as they continue to advocate for recognition and respect of their unceded territory.
- The immobilization projects blocked by the Mohawks of Kahnawake are just one manifestation of the longstanding land grievances between Indigenous communities and both the federal and provincial governments.
- In addition to the 85 hectares, ongoing developments along Route 132 and in the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis Land Grievance region require resolute engagement and collaboration from all parties involved.
- The future of Indigenous land rights is deeply connected to political discourse, with issues such as war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, general news, and car-accidents all playing a role in shaping policy-and-legislation concerning land restitution.
