Video Review (Kanehsatake)

Assignment: Video Review #3 (Kanehsatake)

Name: Kate Morden
Instructor: (Beedahbin) Richard Peltier
Course: Histories, Cultures, Traditions GNED49
Date: Friday, November 2nd, 2012

Video Review (Kanehsatake)

2
Predictions
Prior to viewing the film, based on the film title, setting and main characters
(Video Review Assignment, 2012) and after reading the film synopsis, I think the film is
about a documentary of the conflict between the Mohawks and the Quebec police and
Canadian army, which was directed by Alanis Obomsawin for 78 days (Alanis
Obomsawin, 1993). It took place in Kanehsatake, near the town of Oka, Quebec in the
year of 1990 (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). This film relates to themes in the course, as it is
about the history of the struggle in which the Aboriginals had to endure while fighting for
their rights, land, culture and traditions.
Main Idea
The Oka crisis takes place in the year of 1990 near Montreal, in Kanehsatake, a
Mohawk village by the town of Oka, and in Kahnawake, at Mercier Bridge (Alanis
Obomsawin, 1993). The crisis involves a conflict between Native American Mohawks
and Canadian government forces, such as the Quebec police and the Canadian army
(Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). Conflict arises when the town of Oka approves of housing
development and the expansion of a 9-hole golf course to an 18-hole golf course in the
area of which the Mohawks reserve is (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). In the early 1930s,
when people from the town of Oka are playing golf on the commons, the Mohawks
complain that their cattle are being chased away with golf sticks and that they have
nothing to eat for animals as a result (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). In addition, the
Mohawks land becomes Okas property in 1947 (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). On March
10, 1990, people of Kanehsatake protest on a dirt road that leads to the golf course, in
hopes to block access to the reserve and to prevent the Oka people from building houses

Video Review (Kanehsatake)

3
and expanding the golf course on their reserve (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). They block
highway 334 by using a front-end loader that the S.W.A.T. team left behind to make
barricades with cars and trees (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). Furthermore, the people of
Kahnawake block highways leading to the reserve and close Mercier Bridge in support of
Kanehsatake (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). The documentary shows the Mohawks
protesting against the Canadian government in attempt to stand up for their rights and
fight for their land that is being taken over. This film is based on one of the many forms
of oppression that the Aboriginal people have endured in the past.
Setting

(Google, 2012)
1. Ecology/Environment This documentary was filmed near Montreal, Quebec in
Kanehsatake, a Mohawk village by the town of Oka, and in Kahnawake, at
Mercier Bridge (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). A forest of trees, roads/highways and
cities near by surround the environment (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993).
2. Climate The climate of the geographical areas of the film has four seasons
spring, summer, fall and winter (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993).

Video Review (Kanehsatake)

4
3. People/Identity The people in the film identify themselves as being Mohawks
(Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). The men are known as warriors that fight to protect
their land, while the women are known as leaders (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993).
4. Culture/Language The culture of the film is the Mohawk nation. Alanis
Obomsawin, the director of the film, along with the Canadian army, speaks
English, while the Quebec people/police speak French and the Mohawks speak a
native language (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993).
5. History The history being told in this film is that the Aboriginal people are the
founders of the land and yet the Canadian government are taking over their land,
for example, in this film, the Canadian government is developing houses and
expanding a golf course on the Mohawk reserve (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). The
Mohawks protest against these actions to save and protect their land and culture
(Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). As a result, conflict between the Quebec police and
the Canadian army arises (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). This documentary shows
how the Mohawks were mistreated and abused, and robbed of their rights, their
land and their culture (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993).
6. Economy The economy in which the Mohawks live in is not developed (Alanis
Obomsawin, 1993). They are surrounded by nature, such as a forest of trees and
dirt roads, with little buildings/stores near by (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993). They
live in teepees and get food by hunting and gathering (Alanis Obomsawin, 1993).
In contrast, I live in Toronto, which is a city that is busy and industrialized. Many houses,
buildings, malls, stores, gas stations, vehicles, and roads/highways surround it. The
population of people in the area is also very large.
Genre

Video Review (Kanehsatake)

5
The genre of the film is a documentary that is non-fiction as it is based on the
history of Aboriginals and the true events in which they experienced. Alanis Obomsawin
filmed the conflict between the Mohawks and the Quebec police and the Canadian army
for 78 days as it was happening. The genre helped me understand and relate to the films
subject because it showed perspectives of each individual involved in the crisis of Oka.
Perspective
1. The subject of the film is based on the Mohawks who are protesting against the
Canadian government forces in attempt to fight for their rights, land and culture.
2. The perspectives being presented are the Natives point of view of the crisis,
including the Mohawks, and the people from Kanehsatake and Kahnawake.
3. Alanis Obomsawins purpose in presenting this perspective to the audience is to
show the oppression that the Aboriginals endured in the past, as they were
mistreated and abused, and robbed of their rights, land and culture.
4. I think the filmmakers perspective on this subject is that the Mohawks did not
deserve to be treated the way they were.
5. The subject is trying to communicate to the audience about what specifically
happened in the Oka crisis, such as the conflict between the Mohawks and the
Quebec police and Canadian army.
6. There are multiple points of view in the film; for example, many Native people
share their perspective about the Oka crisis. In addition, you hear perspectives of
the Canadian government, Quebec police and Canadian army.
7. No, I do not feel that there is a point of view missing in the film.
8. A story changes when the point of view changes. This is because each individual
has a different perspective, for example, on the Oka crisis; therefore, it changes
the outcome of the story.
Themes

Video Review (Kanehsatake)

6
The theme in this documentary is based on the history of Aboriginals and the
struggle they endured in the past, such as oppression and discrimination. This film
specifically shows what happened during the Oka crisis, the conflict between the
Mohawks and the Quebec police and Canadian army. During the crisis, the Mohawks
experience a loss of respect as well as their rights, land, identity, language and culture
as the Canadian government forces take sovereignty of their land. This documentary
shows how traumatic the Oka crisis was for the Native people.
Cultural Diversity and Awareness
I believe that this film is to educate the audience on the themes I explained above
in attempt to bring awareness about the history of the struggle in which the Aboriginals
had to endure while fighting for their rights, land, culture and traditions. This film shows
how they were mistreated, abused and oppressed due to the diversity of their culture.
References
Alanis Obomsawin, W.K. (2012). Kanehsatake: 270 years of resistance. Retrieved
October 20th, 2012 from: http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=29368
Google. (2012). Aboriginal Land Claims and Rights. Retrieved October 20th, 2012 from:
www.cyberarts.ca
Obomsawin, A. (Director). (1993). Kanehsatake [Motion picture].