By Derek Cornet

Oka Crisis focus of special documentary screening in La Ronge

May 22, 2018 | 5:00 PM

An Indigenous film director is in La Ronge today speaking about the 78 days she spent filming behind police lines during the Mohawk’s struggle with Quebec police and the Canadian Army.

Working with the National Film Board of Canada, Alanis Obomsawin was on her way to work one morning in July 1990 when she heard about a shootout on the radio. She decided to travel to the scene not knowing at the time it was the start of what would be come a stand off between Mohawk warriors, police officers and Canadian soldiers.

“There was a stand and resistance against the enlargement of a golf course and the building of condominiums and houses around an area very sacred to the Mohawk,” Obomsawin said. “It was the first time there was such a resistance against land taking and it really became a turning point for all Indigenous Peoples across Canada.”

The footage and sounds from the days Obomsawin spent with the Mohawk during the standoff was later used in the documentary Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, which was released in 1993. It’s the same documentary Obomsawin will be screening today at 6 p.m. at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre. She said people who view it will see how the historic confrontation unfolded and why the resistance generated headlines across the world.

When Obomsawin arrived at the scene, she noted a barricade was already installed making it difficult to get into the village. She described the situation over the next 11 weeks as very chaotic and difficult at times, adding she left two days before the warriors crossed the barricade.

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“It was pretty scary at times, especially at night because there was no light,” Obomasawin said. “Every five minutes or so the army had a spotlight, but other than that it was pitch dark.”

Obomasawin also believes another Oka Crisis could still be possible in 2018. She said the land issue, which is the focus of the documentary, remains unresolved, noting developers have been trying to obtain the land again this year.

“The people are left on their own to defend the land again,” Obomasawin said. “People inside the community need to be together and strong to fight the authority.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno