Tekakwitha Island Standoff. During Oka Crisis soldiers and SQ attempt to invade Kahnawake
Sept. 18, 1990
A Mohawk man winds up to punch a soldier during a confrontation on the Kahnawake reserve on Montreal's south shore, 18 September 1990.
(courtesy The Canadian Press / Tom Hanson)
from WCH:On 18 September 1990 during the Kanesatake resistance (also known as the Oka crisis), Canadian soldiers and Québec police attempted to invaded the Kahnawake reservation. Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk) First Nations people had been attempting to block construction of a golf course and housing on their ancestral land since July 11.
On September 18 Canadian colonial forces landed on Tekakwitha Island and attempted to invade the reservation, but were met by hundreds of Kanyen'kehà:ka people resisted them. Soldiers fired tear gas and warning shots with live bullets, and struck people with rifle butts, but Kanyen'kehà:ka people fought back with rocks.
After seven hours of fighting, the police and soldiers were forced to retreat by helicopter. 75 Kanyen'kehà:ka people were injured, as were 22 soldiers.
On September 18 Canadian colonial forces landed on Tekakwitha Island and attempted to invade the reservation, but were met by hundreds of Kanyen'kehà:ka people resisted them. Soldiers fired tear gas and warning shots with live bullets, and struck people with rifle butts, but Kanyen'kehà:ka people fought back with rocks.
After seven hours of fighting, the police and soldiers were forced to retreat by helicopter. 75 Kanyen'kehà:ka people were injured, as were 22 soldiers.