Kanehsatake 270 Years of Resistance
a film by Alanis Obomsawin
On July 11, 1990, the Mohawk Peoples of Kanehsatàke stood up against a legacy of fraudulent theft when the Municipality of Oka, in collusion with the Federal and provincial governments, tried to make way for the expansion of a 9-hole golf course and a new condominium project.
In the weeks and months that followed, Canada’s glowing image was tarnished forever. Many of us were shown for the first time the kind of treachery and brute force ways of the Canadian Government. Treachery and brute force that continues to this day.
The Oka Crisis also showed us just how entrenched racism is among Canadian citizens, particularly at the Mercier Bridge on August 28, 1990 — when a violent mob assaulted a convoy of Mohawk Elders, Women, and Children seeking refuge away from their community. The police stood by and watched.
Kanehsatake 270 Years of Resistance takes us through the history and the events that took place at OKA.
The Full Movie (hosted by The Nation Film Board of Canada) is provided below:
- Download the Honor Tax Form.
- Send the form along with your tax payment to:
The Wiyot Tribe
1000 Wiyot Dr.
Loleta, CA. 95551
We have no events coming up but some suggested times of year to pay your tax are:
*Duluwat Island / Indian Island Massacre - February 26
These are some suggestions but you can pay your tax any time.
“I Participate in the Wiyot Honor Tax as a way of direct reparation to the People on whose land I now live.”
-Paul Pitino (Arcata Resident)
Former Arcata City Council Member
“As a member of a neighoring Tribal Nation, I have a cultural obligation to acknowledge Wiyot homeland and pay respect to the Wiyot People for living on their traditional territories. The Honor Tax provides a way to fulfill my responsibilities as a Yurok person.”
-Christopher Peters (Yurok/Pohlik-lah)President, Seventh Generation Fund
“The Honor Tax is small compensation for the grief and loss the Wiyot people have suffered. We feel honored by the
graciousness with which they accept our presence here today and by this opportunity to contribute.”
-Dana Silvernale (Blue Lake Resident)
County Council Chair, Green Party of Humboldt County
“Our organization pays the tax because we have a commitment to justice and to honoring the sovereignty of native peoples and nations.”
-Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap (Eureka Resident) Director, Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County