Mohawks calling for support

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Chief Joe Norton of Kahnawake is calling upon all Native groups in Canada to support the Mohawks in their dealings with the new Quebec government. If the Parti Quebecois is successful in gaining control over Native people, then the rest of Canada's provinces will follow their example, he said.

Leaders and legislators across the country will be watching Quebec's dealings with Native issues, said Norton. There will be an attempt to obtain as much power as possible over every element of Quebec society. If the party is able to obtain that kind of power over Nayive people, the other provinces will move in the same direction.

Norton said Natives have got to light a fire under the federal government concerning protection of Native interests in Quebec.

The prevailing sentiment coming from the federal government is fear, but what is needed is a show of political courage to fulfill the Liberal inherent right policy.

"The call now is to remain calm, not to instigate, not to cause a ripple effect within the province of Quebec, so that Quebec will remain a part of Canada. We become victims of that. We've got to protect our best interests not only in Quebec, but in the rest of the country."

The Mohawks will attempt to develop a relationship with the new government and offer the Native position in a firm, clear, but non-threatening manner, Norton said. However, if the PQ think it's going to pick up where it left off with the Mohawks nine years ago, they are sadly mistaken.

Too much has happened in the interim for the Mohawks to look fondly on a government that comes to the negotiation table with a superiority complex. If the PQ come in from a position of superiority and feel they have the strength to overwhelm the Mohawks, Quebec is headed for a very rough time, said Norton.

Norton hopes the PQ will move to their referendum on separation promptly. While Assembly of First Nations Chief Ovide Mercredi has advocated a separate referendum for aboriginal people in Quebec to determine whether they want to stay in Canada or leave to join a new nation, Norton thinks it unnecessary.

"We've already established ourselves," Mohawks are neither Quebecois or Canadian citizens, said Norton. The titles have been forced on them.