James Gabriel
Encyclopedia
James Gabriel was Grand Chief of the Mohawk
community at Kanesatake (located near Oka
, Quebec
) from 1995 to 2004. His tenure in office was controversial, marked by bitter divisions between his supporters and opponents.
. A number of issues have increased political competition in the community.
Gabriel promoted opposition to drug trafficking and organized crime in Kanesatake. In his campaign against these, critics suggest he and supporters unjustly branded several community members as criminals. Gabriel agreed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) that the community's tobacco stores (in which cigarettes of disputed origin were sold tax-free to non-natives) should be removed. With strong disagreement over this decision by other council and community members, a protracted dispute ensued which eventually involved both the provincial and federal authorities.
In a 2001 referendum, 61% of Kanesatake voters approved removal of Gabriel from office. He kept his position following his victory in a court appeal. The reasons for Gabriel's unpopularity in this period are disputed. His supporters in 2003-04 claim that he lost popularity by not adequately confronting organized crime, while his opponents claim his unpopularity resulted from his promotion of bill S-24 (see below)m which changed conditions for the settlement in relation to other levels of government.
On January 12, 2004, Gabriel bypassed the Kanesatake Police Commission and led a force of 67 police officers to the local police station to take control. (The community's police chief, Tracy Cross, was not a supporter of Gabriel and opposed these actions). Many local residents resisted this effort, and a standoff resulted.
Gabriel's allies requested assistance from the Sûreté du Québec
(SQ). The police had been involved in the prolonged 78-day Oka standoff
of 1990 and not been able to keep control. Fearing renewed violence, the provincial authorities refused to send in the SQ. They negotiated an agreement by which the private forces were given safe passage out of the community. On the same night, Gabriel's house was burned down. The grand chief sought safety in the neighbouring community of Laval
.
Disputes continued through 2004 over the leadership of the Kanesatake police force. Gabriel's status in the community after the raid was a matter of controversy in 2004-05. Some believe he was legitimately removed as Grand Chief in January 2004, while others (in and out of the community) rejected this interpretation. In any event, Gabriel was defeated 375 votes to 344 by Steven Bonspille
in the June 26, 2005 election. The six band council members elected alongside Bonspille were Gabriel supporters, leading to difficult governance.
In early June 2005 the Sûreté du Québec Command testified to their understanding that the tobacco/drug raid was intended to replace both Police Chief Cross and the Police Commission. The S.Q. and RCMP Command had both argued with Gabriel against conducting the raid. They testified that it was poorly planned and that Gabriel relied on dubious evidence in his decisionmaking.
Some aboriginal groups in Canada, including the powerful Assembly of First Nations
, have openly sided with Gabriel in this dispute, as has the Parti Québécois
. Gabriel's supporters believe that the provincial government capitulated to organized crime in early 2004. His opponents argue that his rule over the community was heavy-handed and arbitrary. They said his efforts to stop the cigarette trade were an intrusion into accepted community practices.
. Opponents of S-24 believe that the bill was intended to reduce the community's autonomy.
A community referendum narrowly passed the bill by two votes. Many residents boycotted the electoral process entirely. Some believed Gabriel intended to convert Kanesatake into a municipality
under Canada law. Such action would have increased the powers of the federal and provincial governments over the community.
to assume control over the band's finances. (He claimed the decision was necessary in light of the band
's $1.2 million dollar deficit).
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
community at Kanesatake (located near Oka
Oka, Quebec
-References:...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
) from 1995 to 2004. His tenure in office was controversial, marked by bitter divisions between his supporters and opponents.
Background
The 1700-member community began holding elections for tribal office in 1991, following the Oka CrisisOka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. At least one person died as a result...
. A number of issues have increased political competition in the community.
Gabriel promoted opposition to drug trafficking and organized crime in Kanesatake. In his campaign against these, critics suggest he and supporters unjustly branded several community members as criminals. Gabriel agreed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP) that the community's tobacco stores (in which cigarettes of disputed origin were sold tax-free to non-natives) should be removed. With strong disagreement over this decision by other council and community members, a protracted dispute ensued which eventually involved both the provincial and federal authorities.
In a 2001 referendum, 61% of Kanesatake voters approved removal of Gabriel from office. He kept his position following his victory in a court appeal. The reasons for Gabriel's unpopularity in this period are disputed. His supporters in 2003-04 claim that he lost popularity by not adequately confronting organized crime, while his opponents claim his unpopularity resulted from his promotion of bill S-24 (see below)m which changed conditions for the settlement in relation to other levels of government.
Policing and conflict
In late 2003, Gabriel arranged with Canada's Indian Affairs Department for an emergency loan of $900,000 to the community's police force. Gabriel secretly hired aboriginal policemen as special forces for an anti-crime, drug raid. Opponents believed Gabriel intended to use these officers against the local cigarette dealers. (He informed his supporters on the band council about the planned actions, but not the three council members who opposed him.)On January 12, 2004, Gabriel bypassed the Kanesatake Police Commission and led a force of 67 police officers to the local police station to take control. (The community's police chief, Tracy Cross, was not a supporter of Gabriel and opposed these actions). Many local residents resisted this effort, and a standoff resulted.
Gabriel's allies requested assistance from the Sûreté du Québec
Sûreté du Québec
Sûreté du Québec or SQ is the provincial police force for the Canadian province of Québec...
(SQ). The police had been involved in the prolonged 78-day Oka standoff
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. At least one person died as a result...
of 1990 and not been able to keep control. Fearing renewed violence, the provincial authorities refused to send in the SQ. They negotiated an agreement by which the private forces were given safe passage out of the community. On the same night, Gabriel's house was burned down. The grand chief sought safety in the neighbouring community of Laval
Laval, Quebec
Laval is a Canadian city and a region in southwestern Quebec. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third largest municipality in the province of Quebec, and the 14th largest city in Canada with a population of 368,709 in 2006...
.
Disputes continued through 2004 over the leadership of the Kanesatake police force. Gabriel's status in the community after the raid was a matter of controversy in 2004-05. Some believe he was legitimately removed as Grand Chief in January 2004, while others (in and out of the community) rejected this interpretation. In any event, Gabriel was defeated 375 votes to 344 by Steven Bonspille
Steven Bonspille
Steven Bonspille was Grand Chief of the Kanesatake Mohawk 1700-member community located near Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-History:Bonspille was one of the key figures in a power struggle in the early 2000s in the community...
in the June 26, 2005 election. The six band council members elected alongside Bonspille were Gabriel supporters, leading to difficult governance.
In early June 2005 the Sûreté du Québec Command testified to their understanding that the tobacco/drug raid was intended to replace both Police Chief Cross and the Police Commission. The S.Q. and RCMP Command had both argued with Gabriel against conducting the raid. They testified that it was poorly planned and that Gabriel relied on dubious evidence in his decisionmaking.
Some aboriginal groups in Canada, including the powerful Assembly of First Nations
Assembly of First Nations
The Assembly of First Nations , formerly known as the National Indian Brotherhood, is a body of First Nations leaders in Canada...
, have openly sided with Gabriel in this dispute, as has the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
. Gabriel's supporters believe that the provincial government capitulated to organized crime in early 2004. His opponents argue that his rule over the community was heavy-handed and arbitrary. They said his efforts to stop the cigarette trade were an intrusion into accepted community practices.
S-24
Gabriel was involved in other controversy during his tenure as Grand Chief. He helped to negotiate the passage of S-24, a federal bill which, according to its backers, was meant to clarify the community's relationship to the federal government. Because Kanesatake is not a "reserve" but a "settlement", it has not been subject to the provisions of Canada's Indian ActIndian Act
The Indian Act , R.S., 1951, c. I-5, is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves...
. Opponents of S-24 believe that the bill was intended to reduce the community's autonomy.
A community referendum narrowly passed the bill by two votes. Many residents boycotted the electoral process entirely. Some believed Gabriel intended to convert Kanesatake into a municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
under Canada law. Such action would have increased the powers of the federal and provincial governments over the community.
Outsourcing control of finances
In 2002, Gabriel allowed the federal government to hire the private firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopersPricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
to assume control over the band's finances. (He claimed the decision was necessary in light of the band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
's $1.2 million dollar deficit).