A Mohawk warrior attacks a Canadian Soldier while defending his territory during the Oka Crisis, 1990

A Mohawk warrior attacks a Canadian Soldier while defending his territory during the Oka Crisis, 1990

The Oka Crisis was a conflict between the indigenous Mohawk people and the town of Oka in Canada. Oka sought to expand a golf course into the Mohawk territory of Kanahsetake in a pine forest known as "The Pines." This area is where the Mohawks held ceremonies, and the forest also contained a graveyard for their people, meaning that the Pines Forest was sacred land to the Mohawk tribe. For 270 years, the Mohawks fought for the recognition of their territory. However, it was continuously refused by the British and Canadian Governments. In 1989 and 1990, the Mohawks began heavily campaigning for the recognition of their land and their right of way, however, plans to build the golf course resort continued, so the mohawk people retaliated. The Mohawk tribe has been historically known to be fierce and brave warriors, especially when it comes to defending their home territories. The Mohawks first built a barricade on a path leading into the Pines Forest to defend their land. Oka asked for assistance and was aided by the Police and Canadian Army. Once the police arrived, they fired tear gas at the Mohawk warriors, who returned gunfire, which turned into a firefight in which a police officer was shot dead. The police retreated and began a 77-day-long Siege on the Pines. The Mohawks then captured The Mercier bridge nearby, which disrupted supplies going into Oka and Montreal. In nearby towns, other Indigenous peoples rioted for the government to leave the Mohawks alone. On the 77th day of the Siege, the Mohawk warriors surrendered following more clashes with the army. However, the Mohawk people won the conflict as the golf course resort plans were discontinued. The media heavily covered this event, and the Mohawk and indigenous peoples of Canada gained global support for their fight to have their rights recognized by the Canadian Government. Only 1 Mohawk warrior was killed in the clashes. Photographer: unknown Source: BBC