Canadian Police criticized: Tyendinaga protests

Recently, Amnesty International has been skeptical of the behaviour of the police involved in the Tyendinaga Mohawk protests.

It was reported that the police took unreasonable measures to disperse the demonstrations, including using snipers and armed police.

The protests have been happening near Belleville, by the people of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.  Protests include blockades, land occupations and other protests in the "Culbertson Tract".  Protesters were angry that this piece of land was taken from their possession.  The government did not do what they should have by buying back the land, and the issue has been ongoing for years without a solution.
There have been many protests and roadblocks in the past five years caused by the Mohawk people.
 

It was reported that at the protests in June 2007 and April 2008, there were hundreds of police officers sent to control the situation, as well as people from the Tactics and rescue Unit.  This is also known as the sniper squad.


Protesters that were reportedly peaceful were shocked when they saw officers and members of the squad pointing guns.  It was rumoured that a protester had set off a rifle, and the officers drew in case.  The police officers were seemingly trying only to defend others and had no intention to shoot their guns without a need to, but it did surprise the Mohawk protesters and Amnesty International.  It was mainly the use of the sniper squad that raised some eyebrows.  Amnesty International called for an investigation of the events of the protests, but the organization stated that the OPP refused to attend the discussions they asked to have.

In September 1995, there was an incident with in the Stony Point band land reserve: Camp Ipperwash.  It was schedule to be destroyed, and the Stony Point band that lived there was unhappy and tried to stop the destruction.  The government tried to resolve the conflict by promising the aboriginals another reserve, but the conflict went unresolved for years.  During the time that it was due to be destroyed, residents in the Stony Point protested by barricading the government and the destroyers out.  It is unclear what happened after that, but one of the protest leaders, Dudley George was shot by an OPP officer, Kenneth Deane on September 6th 1995.  He did not survive the gunshot.  It was reported that Dudley George was unarmed.  After the officer was convicted and resigned, a change in government, an inquiry, and financial compensation to George's family, the piece of land that was inhabited by the military was returned to the Kettle and Stony Point first Nations.

George Dudley 1993

The result of the inquiry was a peacekeeping policy in Ontario, but Amnesty International was critical:  the policy does not protect protesters from being convicted of crimes, however allows arrest for good or no reason.

Percentage that attended Residential Schools in Canada (15+years)

Statistics Canada, 2001 survey

Although Canada is known for being a peaceful, free country, we have a tainted history of violence and inequality towards the First Nations people.  It is sad that this is the case, because as a country we are generally quite peaceful, but there are still horrifying stories of violence and human rights abuses towards the people that can truly call Canada their home.  It makes me angry that our government was and is this way, and I hope in the future some conflicts will be resolved,  even though we know many cannot.