MONTRÉAL - On Thursday January 6th, 2005, at approximately 13h00, seven members of the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement (IPSM) made a surprise visit to the office of Quebec's Minister of Public Security, Jacques Chagnon, to present him with a letter (below) and to arrange a meeting in person. The delegation's demand was to ensure the Sureté du Québec (SQ) cease its interventions into the sovereign, internal affairs of the Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) Nation and the community of Kanehsatake.

January 9th marks the beginning of a six-week campaign period leading up to Kanehsatake elections unilaterally called by the ex-Grand Chief James Gabriel for February 19, 2005. Gabriel has publicly stated he will bring in his politically-aligned Kanesatake Mohawk Police (KMP) to "ensure his safety" for campaigning. IPSM wanted to make it clear to the Minister that an SQ intervention in support of the KMP would not be supported by non-Native people and would be sure to provoke strong responses.

The receptionist at the office initially advised the delegation Chagnon was not in, but after being informed the delegation was willing to wait all day, a meeting was quickly arranged for IPSM representatives with the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sébastien Lachaîne. Within 15 minutes the meeting had begun. Lachaîne said Jacques Chagnon was vacationing in Quebec City, but he himself was active on the Kanehsatake portfolio.

For a man working on the portfolio though, Lachaîne seemed to know little about what plans the SQ have for the very real possibility they are requested to help Gabriel usher the KMP into Kanehsatake. The delegation emphasized their support for the community to reject such an unprofessional and politically-aligned police force, and made it clear they would hold the Ministry personally responsible for any of the predictably dangerous consequences.

While Lachaîne said he's "99% sure nothing will happen," it was an assurance he was not willing to put in writing. He claimed the SQ was neutral and wouldn't interfere one way or the other. Asked directly: "Will the SQ take the side of the community or the side of the KMP if a conflict arises?" Lachaîne then got dodgy and refused to answer the question. That's a big IF, he said.

So allegedly, the SQ doesn't plan for "ifs", and even when they do the Ministry is not privy to operational details. When confronted on the issue of Mike Harris' involvement in operational details for the Ontario Provincial Police assault at Ipperwash, leading to the murder of Dudley George, he reiterated that the Quebec Ministry of Public Security is a neutral party that is only interested in peace and tranquility, after which he blurted out "We're not on anybody's side...".

But the Quebec Ministry of Public Security did take sides when they signed the Kanesatake Tripartite Policing Agreement (TPA) - a deal solidifying Gabriel's control over police personnel and dissolving the community police commission in favor of one hand-picked by Gabriel. The weight of Quebec is with Gabriel and now all police operations are subject to the authority of the Ministry. When Lachaine tried to inform the delegation that the TPA was agreed to by a majority of the council (Gabriel and his three cohorts), they pointed out three duly-elected Band Councilors had been left out of the deal, and the community had not been informed or consulted as required for such a deal. If it was something the whole community wanted, why was it signed in secrecy behind a line of 50-odd riot cops in Laval?

In response to accusations regarding the unconstitutional, blanket surveillance of the whole community of Kanehsatake, Lachaîne said there are many aspects of the SQ's day-to-day operations of which the Public Security Minister's office is unaware. The implication being that the Public Security Minister cannot be responsible for all the actions taken by the SQ.

However, Lachaîne did acknowledge that once such actions have been taken, his office does have the power to intervene, like, for example, ordering the surveillance cameras which were discovered in the community to be removed. More importantly, the delegation made Lachaine's diversionary tactic a moot point by forcing him to admit that an order to invade Kanehsatake would indeed have to come from the Public Security Minister.

Lachaîne admitted Gabriel and his police force were of a volatile and whimsical nature, citing Gabriel's paranoia about returning to the community, and the KMP's missed meetings with the SQ and their unsupported, autonomous police actions. He pointed out the fact that, to this day, Gabriel is living in Kanehsatake without any threat to his person.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation insisted on a meeting with Chagnon. When Lachaîne said he was unable to contact Chagnon or his secretary, the delegation advised him they would expect to hear back from him within the next day or two. He said he would advise the contact person of a meeting date and time potentially as soon as Friday, January 7th. If IPSM doesn't hear from him as promised, the office can expect another visit.

To get involved in the next delegation, please contact: i...@resist.ca

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January 6, 2005

Attention Minister Jacques Chagnon:

We, the undersigned, are writing in these final days leading up to the six-week Kanehsatake election campaigning period to ask for assurances you will not be authorizing the use of the Surete du Quebec to help impose James Gabriel's will over the desires of the majority of the community. Such an action by the Quebec government, and thus the people, would rightly be construed as a police coup over the elections and Kanehsatake Mohawk Police force, threatening not only the safety of the Mohawks of Kanehsatake, but the Quebec public as a whole.

You can be assured, if we are not, to face political opposition throughout Canada should you decide to use force in this "political, not criminal matter". It is with much regret that we find ourselves so uncertain and fearful of your course of action. During the past year, your interference in the community of Kanehsatake has been disruptive, opportunistic and unpredictable.

At the beginning of this conflict in January 2004, we stood by your judgment in agreeing to the January 13th De-escalation Agreement. For a brief moment we had hope for a new era of more mature, less racist Quebec/Indigenous relations. Hopes that were shortly shattered when you took immediate pains to say you recognized James Gabriel as the "sole legitimate authority" for Kanehsatake.

Why, on March 16th, 2004, did you feel it necessary to sign the new Tripartite Policing Agreement behind a line of 50 Laval and SQ riot cops? Is it because you knew you were doing this in breach of the Memorandum of Understanding for negotiations signed with the Mohawks of Kanehsatake? Obviously, a TPA signed without the consent of three duly elected Band Chiefs, or the support of the community, would cause bad feelings. Were you thinking of our Public Security at this moment?

Were you thinking of our Public Security when you imposed the unconstitutional banishment conditions, or while you supported Gabriel as he repeatedly refused all attempts at a peaceful resolution to the crisis? Were you thinking of our Public Security when you made your May 5th announcement of an SQ intervention into Kanehsatake, or while you made your racist comments at the May 25th meeting of the legislature? We ask, whose Public Security do you have in mind as you turn a blind eye to the SQ and KMP harassment of peaceful, law-abiding Kanehsatake residents? We do not feel safer, nor do the people of Kanehsatake, with your breach of privacy rights in imposing a blanket and unconstitutional surveillance of the whole community.

The SQ has been a domineering presence in reckless violation of the boundaries set out by the community for a working relationship. Since James Gabriel signed over jurisdiction of such matters to you in the April 2004 Tripartite Policing Agreement, why has there been no justice for community member Shawn Hurley who was first excessively ticketed by the SQ and then falsely arrested and criminally assaulted by the KMP who were clearly acting outside their jurisdiction? He has not heard word of the "internal investigation" for months!

An SQ intervention into Kanehsatake would be a clear indication of your insincerity about wanting to work towards a peaceful and just resolution to the political problems the community is dealing with. We will hold you personally responsible for the predictable threat to public security that will surely follow any armed threat to the community. We are asking you, without prejudice; to refrain from authorizing SQ participation should the KMP and/or RCMP try to force their way into Kanehsatake.

The Kanienkehaka Nation is fully capable of resolving the present situation autonomously. We urge you to leave the community of Kanehsatake undisturbed in the weeks leading up to the election and beyond.

Signed,
Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement (IPSM)