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Synopsis: A film report of the 1969 protest demonstration by Mohawk Indians of the St. Regis Reserve on the international bridge between Canada and the United States near Cornwall, Ontario. By blocking the bridge, which is on the Reserve, and causing a considerable tie-up of motor traffic, the Indians drew public attention to their grievance that they were prohibited by Canadian authorities from duty-free passage of personal purchases across the border; a right they claim was established by the Jay Treaty of 1794.
Filmmaker: Mort Ransen
Contact: National Film Board of Canada
Producer: George C. Stoney
Year of Production: 1969
Distributor Information: National Film Board of Canada
Country: Canada
Less info
Comments
You (Native Americans) Need a Native Police force. There is no method to ENFORCE a treaty. Without ENFORCEMENT you have an blank piece of parper. When the police FIRST stepped on Native land; They (The Cornwall poloice) should have been arrested By Native police, for tresspassing (each and everyone as they tresspassed.) That would have avoided a stalemate and would have given the Native time to make a larger point. The whiteman has local, state, federal, and provincial police to ENFORCE the whiteman laws. You ( The Native) have no way to insure treaties are obeyed.
This is a shame for the government of Canada. It just shows how not only the US government but also the Canada government are ignorant to any right of the Native Americans and their lands. The Native Americans finally get the courage to make their point by blocking the road the government built on their land and somehow they are at fault? I really don't understand how the government could expect them to listen to their laws when they don't the mohawk tribe the common cerdersity of respect for their land and customs. They used no force or violence tactics to stand up for their rights but the unbadgeds officers were arresting Indians by violent force(such as grabbing of the neck) to force them into the car. I really can't see any tactic or method that the Native Americans can use to to stand up aganist the government that could be taken serious. The government just walk all over the Native American taking more of the already little land they have and enforcing laws on these lands that are not theirs. There are no reason with the government and some Third party that is not connected with Native American is the only way the government will listen to their plees. The government is slowly but surely claiming all of the land they gave to these native americans without any notice. When will the government stop being so ignorant and let they NATIVE people live on their own land in peace with the little resources they have left.
Transcription of English language sections
You Are On Indian Land (0:00 - 36:43)
[0:00]
There's been many wrongs done in the past. And today we don't even trust the Whiteman coming into this Reservation. You cannot blame us for that. We don't wanna be a Canadian citizen. We don't wanna be American citizen. They told us a long time ago that we were North American Indians. And today we feel this way too. We have feel this way because we think this Reservation is ours. And it does not belong to the Whiteman. It's the only part we still have left.
The people of Akwesasne, which the Whiteman calls the St. Regis Reservation, lived on this land long before the two countries decided to draw a line between themselves. That line was not meant for Indians. And our right to cross it with our belongings paying no duty was confirmed in the Jay Treaty of 1794. The Canadian Government never got around to making this treaty into law. And now they say we must pay duty on our groceries as we carry them to our houses if we happen to cross their line. Many of us have to pay a dollar to cross the bridge they built on our land. And they even built a Customs House there too - without our consent.
[1:18]
We went to Ottawa and talked with officials and got no answer. So we took action ourselves.
Notice. This is an Indian Reserve. Any person who trespasses on an Indian Reserve is guilty of an offense and is liable on a summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, or to both fine and imprisonment.
That's what is says. And that's what we're gonna use. Their own medicine.
On December 18th, 1968, the usual heavy traffic between the two countries ground to a stop. We decided to block the bridge.
[2:09]
Uh, these are the {inaudible}... uh... put it on all the cars. Give it to some of the other kids. Pass it around.
...put it on the inside.
{inaudible} car right here. Better yet, we can leave it out front. Hey, I was wondering if we could get any scotch tape too, huh.
It was eight above with a cold wind. Mike Mitchell had forgotten his gloves. And no one had thought about bringing scotch tape.
...we get some scotch tape {inaudible}.
Alright. Here's the first roadblock here.
{inaudible}
We're claiming this land back.
{inaudible}
Sorry, folks. But we're claiming this land back for the Indian.
That's the way it should be.
This is Indian land, so, uh...
But, I thought you were gonna do it at nine o'clock, though.
Uh, you're not from the press, are you?
No, I'm not.
Oh, I'm sorry {inaudible}.
Actually, I was planning to go down {inaudible}.
Oh.
Awfully sorry.
{Mohawk}
There's another bridge further up.
{Mohawk}
Scotch tape.
{Mohawk}
Ey? Ok. {inaudible} They shouldn't have gone to school anyway.
[3:57]
Then the police arrived.
...be part of the St. Regis Indian Reserve.
And, therefore?
And, therefore the people who are coming...
Some people here...
will be trespassers.
Well, I can't allow... the road to be, uh, blocked, ya understand? This is contrary to your... our laws.
You understand also that this is part of the Reserve...
No, I understand your part, too.
and, also, under the Indian Act section 31, that's trespassing.
These are our lands. We're just standing on it. We're having a meeting now, and, uh... we are Indians on our own land. And if anybody comes on and causes trouble, we're charging them with trespassing.
Well, that's alright, but now I'm asking yous fellas to get off the roadway. You're blocking the road between two countries, and this we can't allow.
And you won't listen to our reasoning, right?
Well, I listened to your reasoning, but what can I do? This is the law. You can't block the road.
The law states...
No, I know.
...that you, as a peace officers, have to enforce this. Now, you're on Indian land. Under the Section 31 of the Indian Act {inaudible} a peace officer...
...what about the code if you're blocking the road...
This is part of the Reserve.
Well, I don't understand if...
That's okay. Until they can prove us different and tell us we're not on Indian land, then you can come in and arrest who you want. But, up until that time...
Ya know, anybody interfering with us will have to {inaudible}. This is... I'm sorry.
I'm afraid you're gonna have a lot of people to arrest.
I suppose.
We're gonna stand here and we're gonna fend for ourselves. Let them take us. Because there's gonna be more.
Bring their... Get everybody to bring their cars over here.
[5:50]
{Mohawk}
No badge numbers.
John Boots remarked to Mike that the police weren't wearing their badges.
Want my number?
Yeah.
Number forty.
Number forty.
Write them down.
We better write it down.
That's the, uh, city police, ey?
That's right.
[6:20]
{Mohawk}
I have no number. My name is Deputy Chief Fourier.
Chief Fourier.
{inaudible}
My name is Sergeant Snyder.
Sergeant Snyder.
Cornwall police?
That's right.
Alright.
{Mohawk}
You fellas also realize you're on Indian territory?
[6:45]
When people asked Ernie Benedict who sent the police, he told them, "The government sent them, I suppose. But they came from the city of Cornwall."
{Mohawk} in Cornwall. They've got no right here on our Reservation.
Cornwall claims to have an extra island. Though, according to the law, only the federal government has authority over the little land that we have left.
{inaudible} interference {inaudible} arrest 'em {inaudible}
Yeh.
Alright...
...a way we're gonna have to arrest you for obstructing justice.
{Mohawk}
We're placing you under arrest.
{Mohawk}
We're placing you under arrest.
Alright.
{Mohawk}
She's over in that other car.
What's the time, Mike?
9:20, or... 9:35
Who is she?
Her name is Cheryl.
[7:45]
I know. We're not gonna have no police brutality or anything.
Well, there won't be any. You don't have to worry about that.
Well, if there is, it'll go all over the country because there's reporters from all over.
It has been said that a number of White people from Cornwall turned out out to join us. But, the only White people we saw, except for policemen, were reporters and photographers.
[8:10]
Ya understand?
{Mohawk}
Get out of the way. Get out of the road.
{Mohawk}
Get out of the way.
{Mohawk}
People shouted in Mohawk, "Don't get mad. Don't fight back."
You two, you're under arrest.
{Inaudible}
...police brutality.
We don't want that.
No?
Well, come on.
Ya know, this is going all over the world.
That's fine.
Police brutality.
Okay.
They told us 20,000. And, that's how much is gonna be here.
{Mohawk}
{inaudible}
Come on.
{Mohawk}
Come on.
{inaudible}
{Mohawk}
You're not {inaudible} all that.
{inaudible}
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
{inaudible}
Come on.
[9:51]
{inaudible}
Come on boys.
{inaudible}
[10:00]
Here's one.
Come on.
Hey, my leg!
Come on.
Let's go.
{Mohawk}
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
{Mohawk}
Come on, lady!
My hand.
Come on, now.
What's the matter with you?
What's the matter?
That's a lady you've got there.
Keep it going.
Back, back, back, back. Bring her on.
{inaudible}
Watch it!
{inaudible} cop.
{inaudible} cop.
{Mohawk}
Yah!
Oh, yeah. The first one {inaudible}.
Keep going!
Keep it going.
Back, back, back. Bring her on.
{inaudible}
Watch it.
{inaudible} a cop.
{inaudible} a cop.
{inaudible}
They {inaudible} an animal.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
{inaudible}
...obstruction.
{inaudible}
[11:15]
Just a minute here.
{inaudible} for what?
Mike!
Oh, Mike!
Wait!
Hey! We're not animals, ya know?
I can walk.
{inaudible} over {inaudible}.
See you guys in Disneyland.
Come on.
Where am I going?
Well, come on.
You don't have to...
We don't want to...
{inaudible}
Huh?
Don't put on a {inaudible} show.
Oh? Only you guys can put on a show?
{inaudible}
Huh?
Oh, no. We're not putting on a show.
Then what are you guys gonna do?
{inaudible}
{Mohawk}
You've made your point. You've made your point. Move your cars now. You've made your point.
No.
Move your cars.
Nobody else...
Every Indian here...
We'll need to...
We'll need to arrest everybody.
Every Indian.
Well, if we have to, we'll have to. That's all there is to it.
We'll do it, then.
Now, there are two things that were to be decided here. That we own this land on which we stand. The other: the, uh, customs officers have been, uh... enforcing laws which are in violation of an international treaty. These are the two issues. The country of Canada has, uh, the responsibility of keeping its good name among other nations and not only with just Indians. So we are faced with a demonstration here in which we have shown that we can act peaceably. The officers have asked us now to call off the demonstration. We want to leave it to you, uh, to decide. Now, each of us is very excited and even though we have not used any force - that I could see - against the police, uh... still there may be some anger in our... in our minds. Now, how do you feel about this? Shall this continue longer?
Yes.
Yeah!
It has to!
They took our people to jail already. What's the matter? Why...
No, they... the point is... the point is you cannot make a bargain... you cannot make a bargain with the... with the police. You cannot make a bargain with the, with the, with the government. You can't make a bargain at all with them. We know we, we, we're doing the right thing. Because this is Indian land. And, these people here are trespassers. We know that. They know that. And, they, they have no right to come here and to throw the Indians off their own land. We have to stay here. We cannot leave.
We gotta stay here until they take the last Indian. Until there's not one other Indian left.
[14:51]
{inaudible}
They're just trying to scare us. But, we don't scare easily. Canada is now trying to break laws. They are not following the laws. They are lawless. And, you know that anybody who doesn't follow the laws is going to die by lawlessness. There's going to be bloodshed in this country... if they don't follow the laws.
Remember, it isn't us that's breaking the law. They're saying we're breaking the law. We are not breaking the law.
We are not breaking the law. We are doing what is right. And, the world is looking at us. The whole world is looking at us right here and now. Are we gonna give up?
No! No! No!
Or, are we gonna fight until there's not one Indian left here?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Are we gonna call... Are we going to send out a call to our brothers and sisters all over North America to come and help us?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
We're asking you to move. Now, you've had your meeting and you've made your point. Please move.
We're not moving!
Okay, then.
Come on. Police move first.
Oh, geez!
Hey! Hey!
{inaudible}
...tearing women's clothes?
{inaudible}
I, uh...
{inaudible} who we want.
I cannot order anyone. I can speak for them. I, uh, um... But, I have not been delegated any authority over them.
Is there anybody here with authority?
I, I do not... The, uh...
{inaudible}
As far as... As far as I can see among these people, they are all, uh, free people. And, uh, they each have, uh... their own, uh... conscience to deal with. They must act according to, to their own, uh... uh, initiative, their own, uh... they must judge for themselves what they will do. Now, this is my own, uh... personal opinion. I have no authority over anyone. I cannot order anyone to do anything.
Well, uh... As far as I can see now, the, uh... Indians have made their point. I see no f... uh, reason why you should block this road any longer, ya know? I'm gonna ask you once more to move these cars out of here. These people who own these cars better remove 'em. Otherwise, we're gonna have to... uh, use force to do so.
Are you working for...
Well, they're, uh...
...work from Ottawa? From the government?
No, I have no, uh... I'm not with the federal police at all.
Will they... Will... Will the officer, uh... tell, tell us, uh... just to what extent we have made our point so far? Uh... The, uh...
Well, it's gonna be in all the news medias.
You got recognition.
We want more than that.
We shall overcome!
We shall overcome!
We shall...
Don't you think you made your... Don't you think there Mr. Benedict... Bendict is your name isn't it?
Uh, yes.
Don't you think, Mr. Benedict, the point has been well made there now? And, uh... We can't have... You're not gonna gain anything further here, or, uh....
I have told them that, uh... that they have made their point... they're, uh, uh...
I think what you should do now is go back to the negotiating table with the, with the authorities and discuss the matter with them and not, uh... There's nothing that we can do, uh...
We haven't heard whether there will be a negotiating table immediately.
Well, I haven't heard nothing. I don't know what, uh... Your, uh.. superintendent has heard. I haven't heard a thing. I was talking to Mr. Whitebean this morning, but, uh... he wasn't, uh, too clear as to what was taking place.
The Band Council Chief didn't know what was going on either.
They made their point today.
If they made their point, then why don't, uh... they clear the road up. I want to get home. I'm a sick man. That's all. I just come out of the hospital. I want to get through, and I want to get back in bed!
They won't listen to you?
They might jump on him.
Oh, they...
He's our chief.
They won't... They won't jump on him.
Hey, uh... I'll go there. Who is... Who is the chief of police?
Mr. Clark's there.
Is he here?
He's here.
I want him to give me a permit for, uh, handling a sidearm. Then, I'll get off.
Oh, you won't need them. If you wanna come, we'll guarantee your safety.
[19:22]
{Mohawk}
If you give me a permit, I'll get off. I'll go over there.
Will you talk to them?
Yes..
Well, you come with me then.
You give me a, uh... You give me a permit to carry my arms.
No. No, I can't give you a permit to carry arms. But, if you wanna come over and talk to them, I'll take you over.
Get this damn thing out of here.
Ok.
I'll get my damn, uh... jack, uh... jack crank. And, I'll smash that thing on your face.
Okay, boys. Come on. Okay?
[20:04]
In Ottawa, they say the Band Council Chief is a nice, old guy that doesn't make trouble. They consider him our representative. Many of us do not, as most of us do not vote in elections for the Band Council. It is our way of protesting against an elective system imposed on us by the Canadian government.
Get them {bottles?} out of the road!
Okay. Well, then... just get in your car.
What is the police department doing over here? Take these {inaudible}.
Okay. Come on.
We had fine men on the Band Council who resigned because they felt it does not carry our wishes to Ottawa, but brings Ottawa's wishes to us.
The Chiefs in St. Regis are like puppets. Whatever Ottawa says, pulls the strings, and they do it. And, now Ottawa... won't listen. So, we had our grievances to the, uh... chiefs in St. Regis by the Indian Act. We put a petition, and they don't listen to us. They just toss it aside. So we go to Ottawa, send some delegations to Ottawa. "Well," they said. "We have nothing to do. You have to go back to the Chiefs in St. Regis." So, we're pushed around. So, now that... that has come to this. And, unless Ottawa agrees and helps us... well, deterimination is... we'll have to go on and keep blocking this road until Ottawa agrees. That's the will of the people. That's what they want. They don't want to be hushed up anymore. They want to talk. They want to have their own... ways. Their own laws in which to get by. They don't wanna be hushed up by the Chiefs or by Ottawa. They have to make an expression.
[21:53]
We contacted the Prime Minister of Canada. We told him that we want an audience with them. We were a delegation from the people of St. Regis. We wanted an audience to discuss the problems of excise tax on Corwall Island. He refused to see us. So, our argument is with the Prime Minister. He refuses to recognize us.
You wouldn't expect to go right up there and, uh, see him about it?
Why not?
Well, unless... unless...
Well, he's a busy man.
So are we.
Oh, I realize that. But, you wouldn't expect to have an appointment with...
He's supposed to be working for the people.
Oh, I know.
We waited all these years.
101 years.
You've made your point.
101 years of injustice. And, he hasn't got two minutes to spare for the Indians, ey?
Why not remove your cars and talk to them?
Talk to the people.
Ask the people.
You've made your point. You've got nothing further to gain here today by leaving your cars where they are. Move them. Open up the bridge.
Oh, yes, we are making our point - in Ottawa, this way. That's what we're...
You've made it! You've made it!
That's what we're gaining.
We want it strong. We wanna make it strong.
Well, you made it strong, ey? I can't see how much stronger you're gonna make it.
Well, it's gonna... it's gonna remain stronger because the residents of Cornwall and the residents of Massena are gonna be getting out of work soon, and they're gonna want to get home.
No. You can't do that. You're not gonna keep the bridge closed much longer.
Well...
Oh, yes we are.
We've told you, we've told you, and we've told you, and we've tried to reason with you.
Got the {inaudible} right here and now. There'll be more of us.
We want...
Yes, we are.
If you want to arrest us... If you want to arrest me... then say so. We'll go with...
No, we don't wanna arrest you. We're asking you just to reason!
We'll go with you peacefully to your jail.
No, no.
It's warm there... It's warm there, we don't have to stand out in the cold.
You have to arrest everybody first. Then you...
No, we're gonna move those cars.
[23:26]
{Mohawk}
Okay. Okay, boys.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey, wait a minute.
What's a...
Hold it! Hold... Hold...
Here... Here...
Hey! Hey!
What are you trying to do? Kill them?
Take it easy there. Take it easy. I don't wanna get carried way.
Gimme my hat!
Hey! Hey!
Quit pushing our people around!
The children are gonna get hurt.
{inaudible}
[24:08]
Oh! The invaders!
Hut, 2, 3, 4. ...2, 3, 4. Hut, 2, 3, 4.
Hey, hey! You're off step.
Hut, 2, 3, 4.
Turn around and get out of here.
Esther Thompson was the only member of the Band Council who was with us that day. Others, later, said they were behind us. We asked, "What are you doing behind us?" You should have been out there with us.
[24:53]
They're putting them in a dungeon.
Yeah. Underage, too.
Yeah. Underage.
Hey, uh... uh, I'll need that sign you put in there.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Watch it!
{inaudible}
Now, we're gonna get the whole world...
{Mohawk}
Can I ask what the charge is?
Yes. Obstruction.
Obstruction?
Okay.
Hey! There's a car behind you.
Hey! Hey! Hey!
As soon as a car had been towed away, it was pushed back into the blockade again.
Uh, come on...
{inaudible} that horn!
Come on. Get out of the way, kids.
Lock the window.
Just get out of the way.
{inaudible} that horn!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
{inaudible} remember that.
You'll pay for this car.
What's his number {Steven?}?
Boy! Boy! Boy, I like that!
[28:00]
Officer, you can't do that.
Ask the Deputy if he wants it broken. I'll break it.
Tow it away.
{Mohawk}
Get out of the way.
...the car.
Keep on going.
Hey!
Help!!
{Mohawk}
He had a jack knife! He had a jack knife! That's not fair. He had a knife.
He busted our window!
Give him a hand there!
Lock her up!
Lock her up!
No!!
No, I'm taking her home.
Okay, so...
[27:29]
No!!
Police brutality.
Get out of the way.
{Mohawk}
Leave her go.
Yeh. Let her go.
My daughter...
Alright. Wadda ya say to the police station?
Nothing will happen to her.
Let her go.
Are you taking her?
I'm taking her home.
Okay. You're under arrest for obstruction.
Come on.
I don't wanna do this. This is the last thing I wanna do.
You're doing it.
Come on, here.
Well, you're doing a good job of it.
Sit in with your daughter there.
I'm gonna move the door.
[28:13]
Come on...
I didn't get that... her... I didn't get his name.
{Mohawk}
[28:39]
{Mohawk: Already subtitled}
[30:09]
I am very much worried that there may be mistakes made, and that afterwards, the... the things that we are arguing about, that we have grievances about, will not be the ones to be, uh, judged. I am worried that, uh, as tempers become short there may be, uh, bodily harm to somebody, somebody may get hurt, and, uh, I do not want any of my people to be hurt. So... I am asking that this group will meet together at the, uh, recreation hall, the community hall on Cornwall Island to decide what more should be done. Uh, legal advice needs to be gotten, and, uh, we need to think about the ones who have been taken away, and that the trial of the grievances in which we have a, uh... uh... an interest will be fair. And, will be heard. I think that it is enough. Now, those who are of that opinion will come down to the community hall.
Hey, Ernie.
[31:31]
{Mohawk: Already subtitled}
[31:39]
We were acquitted when we were finally called to court. We were encouraged by the support we received from across the continent. And, from far away as Peru and Europe. But, our questions remain unanswered. We were to have many meetings with representatives of the five federal, state and provincial governments which claimed jurisdiction in Akwesasne.
We wanna make it very clear that our feelings is very strong. Even Mr. Chrétien says, "I understand how you feel." He says, "The Indian Act is there for you because you're a minority." He says, "You feel pretty bad about it." He says, "I'm in a minority group. I belong in a minority group myself." He said, "I understand how you feel." Then why doesn't he have a French Act if he's a minority? We have an Indian Act. We're a minority. That was the wrong thing for him to say. If it's gonna have to be that way, I think they should have an Indian for a Minister for French Affairs. In a system which you got now on this Reserve, Reservation, one-half of this Reservation legislates laws. And, on this side, the other. Even though we are cousins, we are brothers... and sisters, we have to live like this. We don't like it. And, we don't wanna live by it anymore. An Indian man here will marry an Indian woman from across the river. Or, vice versa. She has to sign off this Reservation and she has to sign a paper that said she married a non-Indian. She gets a little check, and she sells her 'Indian'. She's not an Indian anymore. But, she married another Indian! And, what kind of a system is that? I think that's Whiteman-system.
Mr. {McGillup?}? Would you, going back to Ottawa, or to Toronto, would you do anything personally to, uh, study the, uh, question of the border separating a nation, or dividing a nation, into parts?
Chairman, I would report the kinds of comments and questions, and the obvi... the feelings that have come out here. That's all I would do.
We don't get any direct answers from the authorities.
Why was the bridge built according to a deal made between the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Indian Affairs before consulting with us? Why was more land expropriated than was needed? Why have we not yet been paid for damage to our farmlands and beaches?
The agreement with the Seaway specified that the customs house should not be built on our land. Yet, there it now stands - along with an office building, garage, gas lines, customs shed and a toll station.
{Mohawk}
Other Indian nations across the continent share the same problems. Our neighbors pollute our land. The little that we have left is nibbled away by lease, appropriation, annexation. Our treaty rights are forgotten. Other people's borders divide us. Our Councils are still supervised by White civil servants whose duty it is to guide us to civilization.
I think we were... Alot of times we were more civilized than the Whiteman. At point of history. We didn't trick anybody. We never broke a treaty. But, that Jay Treaty... that Treaty of Ghent which reaffirmed it, stated in there that the Indians were obliged to cease making wars on the Whiteman. You see, Mr. {McGillup?}, when that Treaty was broken that meant that we must again have been at war with the Whiteman. Because, when you break a treaty, this is what it signifies. That just goes to show you we are still at peace. We didn't break our side. We didn't go to war... yet.
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