Today is the anniversary of the resistance of Indigenous peoples in the face of the colonial machine. On July 11, 1990, Mohawk warriors banded together to defend their traditional territories and sacred burial grounds when the municipality of Oka decided to construct a golf course on unceded territory.
The town’s action sparked a 78-day standoff with the Surete du Quebec (SQ), which attempted to dismantle a barricade set up by the warriors. This resulted in a firefight between the warriors and police, in which one police officer was killed.
Faced with escalation, the Canadian Armed Forces were called in, in an attempt to dismantle the blockade. Despite all these efforts, it was a victory for the warriors, as the burial grounds were defended and the golf course was canceled.
The resistance at Kanehsatà:ke will always remain a chapter in the history of colonial brutality, and will be seen as a shining example of Indigenous resistance that will inspire future generations to come.