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Mohawks shouldn't disarm: Harper

Author

Rudy Haugeneder, Windspeaker Correspondent, Mill Bay B.C.

Volume

8

Issue

10

Year

1990

Page 3

Elijah Harper doesn't want Mohawk Warriors at Oka to put down their guns.

Once they do, he warned, the police will move in and arrest them.

Although he doesn't personally support violence as an instrument of change, he asks: Who's pointing the guns?"

The only reason police haven't invaded Kanesatake Territory is because the Mohawks are "sticking to their positions," he told reporters following a speech here to about 100 Indians.

Harper, credited for killing the Meech Lake accord, had been invited to visit the Vancouver Island band near Mill Bay, a few miles north of Victoria, by the 17 bands on the southern portion of Vancouver Island.

There's "a lack of trust by aboriginal people" in governments and the police forces they control, he said, citing a long history of broken promises made by governments to Indian people.

Harper said Native voices are finally being heard across Canada - and across the world, including the United Nations.

Referring to the current Native unrest throughout the country he said it's the first time he felt total unity and solidarity of aboriginal people in Canada.

United as a single force "we can move mountains," says Harper.

"Up to this point, the governments of the day have been very reluctant. They lack the political will to deal with us.

"But today," he said applauding the Oka rebellion, "we are forcing them to deal with us."

Despite this, he warned the federal and provincial governments are still trying to divide and conquer Indian people.