A draft of Canada’s latest COIN manual lists radical native groups alongside more well-known terrorist groups as potential military opponents. From the (draft) manual:
The rise of radical Native American organizations, such as the Mohawk Warrior Society, can be viewed as insurgencies with specific and limited aims. ... Although they do not seek complete control of the federal government, they do seek particular political concessions in their relationship with national governments and control (either overt or covert) of political affairs at a local/reserve (“ËœFirst Nation’) level, through the threat of, or use of, violence.
The Mohawk Warrior Society was involved in the Oka crisis of 1990, a stand-off over land claims that led to one of the rare deployments of the Canadian Forces in “aid to the civil power” (another famous deployment was during the October Crisis). The Warrior Society is thought of as having a hand in various face-offs with aboriginal groups across the Americas over the years. They use a string of reservations to ship illegal weapons into the United States and Canada. In one instance I have heard about from a researcher close to the Society, they had purchased two attack helicopters in New York state.
The mention of natives alongside other terrorist groups has aboriginal rights activists up in arms:
“I think it’s appalling for all First Nations people to be looked at from any Canadian agency or any international agency, putting us in the same boat as national terrorists.”
“”? Michael Delisle, Mohawk Chief“It’s a complete attack on our political rights… What we’re seeing is the deliberate criminalization of the efforts of aboriginal people to march, demonstrate and rally to draw public attention to the crushing poverty that is the reality within our communities.”
“”? Stewart Phillip, Grand Chief of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs“It does a great disservice to aboriginal Canadians who are just trying to help Canadians understand the underlying issues to their social problems, and this isn’t going to help.”
“”? Ed Bianchi, aboriginal rights activist
Does that last quote sound like a “freedom-fighter” argument to you?
The negative reaction to the (draft) manual seems to be centered around the insinuation that a specific ethnic group can be identified with terrorism. Canada has seen a number of terrorist attacks over the years from a variety of ethnic groups (including Cubans, Sikhs, Armenians and Quebecois) and Canada’s list of banned terrorist organizations is a veritable rainbow of ethnicities including Arabs, Persians, Sikhs, Jews, Japanese, Afghans, Filipinos, Latinos, Uzbeks, Kurds and Sri Lankans.
I don’t think race is the crux here, rather it is the conflation of the terms “insurgency” and “terrorism”. Historically insurgents are often labelled terrorists, but terrorism is different than insurgency. The Mohawk Warrior Society might not be a terrorist organization, but it is very definitely a criminal organization with a politically subversive message which can lead to insurgency. Thus I think the (draft) manual quote is justified.
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COMMENTS / 16 COMMENTS
snow added these pithy words on 04 Apr 07 at 7:16 amThese ‘Indian power’ groups are mistaken if they think they can achieve their aims militarily. That’s why they should be treated as terrorists.
The money poured into reservations and native services has gone into an endless black hole and it’s up to natives themselves to stop their own elders and chiefs from screwing their own people. Liberals have long given money freely to assuage their guilt, thinking that throwing money at the problem is the best solution. Of course it doesnt work. Natives need to take it upon themselves to create more entrepreneurs and capitalist go-getters who are interested in helping Indians to take responsibility for their own lives. Starting casinos and Indian businesses are laudable and a step in the right direction, military operations are not. The victimhood in native communities is rampant and overwhelming and this is what feeds these militant groups, the feeling of entitlement.
However laudable the aims of these military groups might supposedly be, taking military action is not justified in a democracy. Listing them as terrorists is correct.
zenpundit added these pithy words on 04 Apr 07 at 3:09 pm“It’s a complete attack on our political rights”
What part does the use of attack helicopters have in exercising political rights?
Hopefully, the Canadian government won’t go wobbly on a calling hardened criminal network what it is simply because the fellow-travelling set is invoking the usual multicultural B.S.
Herr Goebbels added these pithy words on 04 Apr 07 at 5:37 pm” money poured into reservations and native services has gone into an endless black hole and it’s up to natives themselves to stop their own elders and chiefs from screwing their own people. Liberals have long given money freely to assuage their guilt, thinking that throwing money at the problem is the best solution. Of course it doesnt work. Natives need to take it upon themselves to create more entrepreneurs and capitalist go-getters who are interested in helping Indians to take responsibility for their own lives.”
I think that the problem facing Aboriginals is slightly more complex then that and that simply creating more entrepreneurs and capitalist friendly ‘indians’ is not going to put Aboriginal communities in the right direction. I agree that the money spent by the Federal government could probably be used more efficiently within the reservations themselves. However the various socio-economic problems are rooted much deeper in the historical experience of these people. Given the current situation on these reserves combined with the lack of any clear plan by the government to change current policies it is not surprising that militant groups like the Mohawk Warriors are springing up. I’m not sure what the solution to this problem is, but at the very least it should be recognized that Aboriginals have a significantly different society and that the consistent subordination of Aboriginals by the Canadian state will probably make integration into a capitalist society difficult.
snow added these pithy words on 05 Apr 07 at 8:45 amHerr Goebbels, I agree that the situation is more complex than how I made it sound above. Sorry, I wrote a much longer response, but it disappeared into the ether after clicking the ‘wot, wot’ button.
I’m not sure if we will see much in the way of satisfactory solutions to the many problems affecting Natives, but I think that the motivation and initiation must ultimately come from Indians themselves. Joining militant groups and gangs may seem like a good idea at the time, but in the long run, these approaches will fail to accomplish anything and will more likely hurt those involved.
I also don’t believe that the historical experience of these people should hold them back. A big part of the problem is that white guilt has led governments to continually throw money at the problem hoping it will all go away or that the recipients will stay quiet or drink themselves into oblivion. But there are people in the Native community that see that welfare and the anti-white stance are not productive nor helpful. Once people realize that their plight is in their own hands, that they are not victims, but are ultimately masters of their own fate, then people can start to move forward.
To get to this point will not be easy and probably most won’t be able to do it now or maybe ever. But I think a combination of history, welfare dependence, too much reliance on governments, victimhood and a lack of understanding of personal responsibility are things that need to be countered somehow. And hopefully, any solutions will come from Natives themselves, not from the government. The ball is in their court and they have to pick it up, just as many blacks and other minorities in the US (and some Indians) have done. Militancy isn’t a solution because crime is a losing proposition in almost all cases.
Sam Stone added these pithy words on 07 Apr 07 at 3:02 amYou can sit back in walled community and speak forever about personal responsibility and pulling up your bootstraps and how they should replace their old culture, gods, and myths with the Horatio Alger myth and the cult of positivity and that that will solve all their problems. But I think and I’m only speculating that they, the native peoples, have had enough of the empty promises and constant assertations of treaty breaking genocidal madman. Besides an entrepreneurial class doesn’t arise for the alcohol soaked ashes of trailer park poverty, but revolutionary militancy and reactionary militarism sure does.
The entrepreneurs and capitalist go-getters are the tribal chiefs. And as is the nature of capitalism as a tiny minority advances the majority is left behind to serve. Not everyone in society can be successful and affluent that’s not how capitalism works. Wine doesn’t pour itself. Not being rich and successful isn’t because someone hasn’t believed enough or tried hard enough or is wallowing in “victimhood” it is the nature of the system.
As Samuel Hutchinson so eloquently put it: “the West won the world not by the superiority of its ideas or values or religion but rather by its superiority in applying organized violence. Westerners often forget this fact, non-Westerners never do.”
And let me add that we no longer have a monopoly on application of organized violence. There are certain historians who argue that is the native peoples in America had an additional 25 years to master the horse and the rifle things may have turned out different…
What with the proliferation of small arms and insurgency innovation, the native peoples of all countries, no longer need to comply for now they can defend themselves and retaliate efficiency and choose their own destinies as you have suggested.
Coming anarchy indeed.
snow added these pithy words on 07 Apr 07 at 4:36 pm“You can sit back in walled community”
What walled community? I have several step- and half-brothers and sisters who are metis (obviously not full-blooded as I’m white) and my dad is married to a treaty Indian. I am quite familiar with the community as well, as they have plenty of full-blooded relatives and friends. As for people pulling up their bootstraps, I don’t think there’s really any better choice. Militancy leads nowhere and smart ones in the Native community know this and are making efforts to improve their own situation (I know people in the community who know this and who are doing it).
“how they should replace their old culture, gods, and myths”
Who said they have to do this? The problem is that many have abandoned their history and taken up many post-modernisms afflicting white society. I see no conflict in believing strongly in one’s traditions and yet also doing what is necessary to make your life better. If that means following capitalism, what’s the problem? It’s only a problem if one believes that capitalism is wrong or evil and conflicts with traditional beliefs. Many whites have this problem.
“And as is the nature of capitalism as a tiny minority advances the majority is left behind to serve.”
Said as a true anti-capitalist. The majority of people in capitalist countries have not benefitted from capitalism? Most are not rich, but the benefits have been tremendous. As a ‘servant’ myself in a capitalist society, I believe my life is far better than it would be in any other system (other than utopian ones).
I think capitalism is one of the very few ‘systems’ that actually offers any possible hope. Like I said, few Natives will be able to get out of the mess they’re in, but more and more are realizing that to live feeling like a victim doesn’t do oneself a damn bit of good. And no where did I say that it will solve all of their problems. I just think that actually taking advantage of what the evil whites have to offer is a far better choice than playing the red power game, which will lead to nothing once again.
“have had enough of the empty promises and constant assertations of treaty breaking genocidal madman.”
Yet more excuses. There are those who know which side their bread is buttered on and they know that the militant game is bs. And there are whites that are liked and trusted. I never said the solutions would be easy, in fact I said that they must come from Natives themselves and even then, I don’t expect much now or ever. Liberal guilt and support of victimhood does them not a damn bit of good, either. Let Indians figure it out and put the responsibility in their court.
I also suggested that Indians have to come up with solutions themselves and not wallow in self-pity and victimhood. It isn’t up to whites to solve their problems. We can help, but they have to do it and the sooner the better. I also don’t expect Indians to listen to me. It is up to them. I never tell the ones I know how to live. Many of them know what’s in their own best interests and feeling sorry for oneself just doesn’t cut it (for anyone white or Indian, etc.)
“no longer need to comply for now they can defend themselves and retaliate efficiency and choose their own destinies as you have suggested.”
Certainly they can choose their own destinies as many seem to be doing in choosing crime. But it’s all a fool’s game, as crime does not bring what a person wants. Crime is a sucker’s game, a ticket to failure. Playing by the white man’s capitalistic rules is one of the few options holding the potential of good results.
“Besides an entrepreneurial class doesn’t arise for the alcohol soaked ashes of trailer park poverty,”
I’m not even necessarily talking about entreprenuership and such. Getting away from self-pity and feeling helpless and sorry for oneself would be a wonderful step, though highly unlikely. Liberals feeding the helplessness only makes things worse.
Sam Stone added these pithy words on 08 Apr 07 at 12:18 pmIt seems I’ve hit a nerve…
You can put your boot on a man’s throat then tell him he’s making excuses because he manages to squeeze out the fact that he can’t get up because your boot is on his throat but please, don’t blame me if he stabs you in the calf to get you off. Talk about killing the messenger”¦
As far as personal responsibility is concerned, no one takes up arms without knowing the consequences of their actions. Taking up arms in self defense is the end all being of personal responsibility. Just because it’s not how you want them to act doesn’t mean that they aren’t taking personal responsibility for their situation.
When the fledgling colonies of the soon to be United States took arms against England they where criminals in the eyes of the royal crown. So I guess criminality can lead to good results.
Honestly I really don’t want to hear about how your mother’s sister’s best friend saw Dances with Wolves or went to a pow-wow because that really doesn’t give you cred but makes you sound more like one of those whiney privileged liberals who are always trying to draw parallels between themselves and dispossessed peoples that you seem to despise so much. The only thing worse then a whiney liberal is a whiney conservative.
As far as your red baiting, I’m not going to dignify that with a response. But I will say this… just because someone says the Emperor has no clothes doesn’t mean he’s against the Emperor, rather he’d like to see the Emperor get a coat so the elements don’t take his life.
snow added these pithy words on 08 Apr 07 at 3:13 pm“You can put your boot on a man’s throat then tell him he’s making excuses”
Who’s putting a boot on the throats of Natives? It is not easy being an Indian becasue there is alot of racism, but there are also very real opportunities for those able and willing to take them.
“Taking up arms in self defense is the end all being of personal responsibility. ”
Taking up arms in self-defense? Why would Natives have to take up arms in self-defense? Who is attacking?
“So I guess criminality can lead to good results.”
I hope this isn’t the moral equivalency argument, because starting militias to smuggle cigarettes and drugs and other criminal activity is no excuse for supposedly ‘fighting the power.’
“you sound more like one of those whiney privileged liberals”
You were the one that mentioned “You can sit back in a walled community…”. Give me a break.
“As far as your red baiting, I’m not going to dignify that with a response.”
It seemed pretty obvious to me that you don’t care much for capitalism. What is red-baiting about that? You certainly don’t seem too positive on it, whereas I think that capitalism holds at least some promise for Natives. Do you have any better suggestions?
snow added these pithy words on 08 Apr 07 at 3:23 pmmissed this one…
“you sound more like one of those whiney privileged liberals who are always trying to draw parallels between themselves and dispossessed peoples that you seem to despise so much”
I despise Natives? My advice is because of hatred? Heh? I’m drawing parallels between myself and them? What are you talking about? You were the one raised the question of credibility, so I gave some examples to show that I am not just coming from a walled community, otherwise, I would never have mentioned it.
I want Natives to succeed, but don’t believe that throwing money down a black hole is good for anyone. And I did suggest that the solutions must come from Indians themselves. I would welcome suggestions from you and others.
Sam Stone added these pithy words on 08 Apr 07 at 11:47 pmHave you seriously even made an attempt to understand a word I’ve written within context? Or are you too busy painting me as a communist agitator?
The “walled community” is a metaphor, you can replace it with citadel or ivory tower or any other fortified structure of your choosing it’s use is to suggest a disconnect from the reality on the ground. Apparently something is clearly wrong that they feel the need to arm themselves, I didn’t tell them to take up arms, nor am I defending their actions as you suggest by stating a fact. They came to that conclusion from their own experiences. Who’s against them? Why don’t go ask them? Oh wait you’ve already made up your mind that they have no legitimate grievances and they are just being a bunch of whiney victims. Dismissing their grievances isn’t the same as listening to them. And suggesting that pulling up your bootstraps and opening a couple more liquor stores and maybe a casino on the rez is going to turn around 500+ years of genocidal policies is a bit naïve at least and downright racist at it’s worse. And what proof do you have that things have actually changed? The Oka crisis is a perfect example of the more things change the more they stay the same. By your suggestion the Mohawks should have just given up their 150 year struggle to regain an ancestral burial ground and picked up a nine iron when yet another corrupt court placed privilege above justice and said make way for a golf course. Casually dismissing their grievances as wallowing in vivtimhood doesn’t help the situation it only further enflames it and represents your disconnect from the reality of the situation. Hence the walled community metaphor and Samuel Hutchinson quote.
Also are you suggesting that official and unofficial policy towards native peoples by North American governments wasn’t anything short of genocidal? The first step of healing rifts and alleviating guilt(liberal or otherwise) is accepting that wrongs and excesses have been committed. Something we’ve never been able to do.
Recognizing that capitalism on it’s own is not a purely benevolent force is not the same as being an anti-capitalist utopian, just as looking out the window and seeing grey skies and recognizing that it might rain is not the same as wanting it to rain.
I’m sorry, I guess that just don’t see anything new in your suggestions that hasn’t been said for the past 500+ years. Different window dressing same window or if you like same colonial mentality different century, white man’s burden with a glossy 21st century veneer. Kind of like how creationists attempt to reintroduce creationism into science class under the guise of intelligent design. Maybe all that’s needed is another 500 years of staying the course and they’ll finally get it. Hey, if doesn’t work you can always blame the liberals for your policy failure.
snow added these pithy words on 09 Apr 07 at 2:32 am“Dismissing their grievances isn’t the same as listening to them.”
Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I don’t dismiss their grievances. I just don’t believe that dwelling on historical grievances is going to bring the results that Indians want. I believe I made the point that it is up to Natives to come up with their own solutions, and of course, we have to listen to them and help in ways that will actually help them. I also certainly didn’t suggest that it was going to be possible or even likely that things will change. I just see the actions of a few in the Native community as being key to improving their situation overall. They hold the key. And as you say, doing things as have been done is not going to work.
“Oh wait you’ve already made up your mind that they have no legitimate grievances and they are just being a bunch of whiney victims.”
Yes, funny how you keep putting words in my mouth that I never actually said. When did I say they have no legitimate grievances? Of course history has been bad and they suffer from plenty of racism today. I’m saying those things shouldn’t be used to legitimize militancy and irresponsible behavior. Whatever happened in the past is not an excuse to go militant. There are positive ways to respond. Basing everything on grievance puts Indians in a strait jacket. They hold the key to their own future and we should be there to help, giving money and support in an accountable way. Now, white guilt has led us to give with little accountability, robbing Indians of their dignity (welfare as it is has been a disaster) because of condescending attitudes that we think we know best. We don’t know best. Solutions have to come from them.
So is it legitimate to ever take up arms in a democracy? I don’t think so, because the results are rarely ever positive for the weaker side. Better to get your point across through other channels, which may have not been possible in the Oka crisis, but it is certainly one that could be aimed for now. More and more Indians are becoming lawyers and more are understanding how to join the ‘political process’ (not that the current system of bigwig chiefs is really helping much, as so many are in it for themselves only). If we allow grievances to be resolved through militancy, it is a serious weakening of the federal government’s system.
“And suggesting that pulling up your bootstraps and opening a couple more liquor stores and maybe a casino on the rez is going to turn around 500+ years of genocidal policies is a bit naïve at least and downright racist at it’s worse.”
Amazing the words I didn’t say. As I said, capitalism can help as it actually offers the possibility of hope, but this has to be led by Indians themselves. Admittedly, I pushed the idea of capitalism a bit much, but I do believe that it can offer some hope, unlike anything else that’s been tried. And as I keep repeating, the key is in the Native community itself, with young people who know they must make positive steps, not backward negative ones, such as gangs and militancy. And btw, there’ve been many groups in history who have gone beyond horrible histories to make things better for themselves.
“The first step of healing rifts and alleviating guilt(liberal or otherwise) is accepting that wrongs and excesses have been committed. Something we’ve never been able to do.”
Ridiculous. Who isn’t aware of how poorly Indians were and are treated? Why should I feel guilt for things that happened before I was born? Sorry, we took the land and we aren’t going to give it back, no matter what happens. That’s the reality. I feel bad that Indians are still treated so poorly now and therefore, I try not to contribute to this and try to have good relationships with Natives on a personal level.
There are movements to sign treaties that are reasonably favorable to First Nations groups. This seems a step in the right direction. These are political moves, not militant ones and they are proving somewhat effective, witness the large number of deals being signed.
And thanks for your arrogance in the last paragraph. Please fill me in as to what would be a new approach to the situation? I believe there are many new approaches being tried to differing degrees of effectiveness or ineffectiveness. What does creationism have to do with any of this? You accuse me of not listening to a word you’ve said and yet you make plenty of laughable assumptions about me.
I stand by my idea that Indians themselves have to come up with their own solutions with our accountable support. And I do see positive signs in treaty negotiations and a new generation of smart young people, some of whom are not afraid of what they can get in a capitalist system. I don’t know what you suggest, since you don’t give any suggestions. If you think this is naive, so be it, but racist? I think my ideas stem from the fact that I believe much more in Indians than most do. It is up to them to do what’s best for them, as only they can know this.
lirelou added these pithy words on 10 Apr 07 at 12:21 amMy vote goes to Snow. Unless, of course, Sam can prove that the Canadian government is some jack-booted entity that suppresses all contrary political views with violence, in which case the “natives” (whether Red, or white Francophones) would be fully justified in resorting to arms. Otherwise, this is more a replay of the FNLQ than Louis Riel.
Sam Stone added these pithy words on 10 Apr 07 at 2:55 pmSnow, please name me one instance where you believe it was justifiable for brown people to kill whites.
snow added these pithy words on 11 Apr 07 at 1:48 amSam, I’m unclear as to the relevancy of what you’re asking, but I would say that in general, self-defense would be justifiable.
Redman added these pithy words on 10 Nov 07 at 5:47 amIt is very interesting reading all your comments on the issues that Native peoples face in this country, both past and present. I respect all your opinions and point of views as I have 2 wonderful kids I am trying to raise in this – our Canada. We all have to realize that it is not just Natives who are under treaties and negotiated treaties… But it is also the Non Native Canadian who is also under treaty as well. We are all treaty! The only problem is the treaties have been ignored and cast aside as an old piece of paper that is nothing. Canada has created it’s own interpretation of these old agreements, that are also binding according to international law. Canada has created a high class and low class system that puts the Native at the bottom of the totem pole. These treaties were never meant for one party to Rape, pillage and destroy the other parties interests. Lets all face it! If these treaties were never negotiated, Canada would still be in the dark ages. The Native has always been a peaceful Ntion… That is why you do not see our youth blowing themselves up at a hockey game. This peace is still alive and well in our communities. The media and the governments have their own points of views as to where Canada is today and where we are going in the future. The average Canadian does not know the whole story as to why there are blockades and disputes, why there are hopeless socio-economic conditions that exist both on and off reserve. These Geonocidal policies adopted and enforced by the federal government for generations, have tried to destroy these ancient treaties. Legislation, occupation, colonization, assimilation, Military force, Police force, corruption, murder, residential schools, racism, discrimination, money, violence and no Canadian Prime Minister will ever be able to destroy these treaties… My hope is that Canadians will wake up and realize that now is a prime opportunity to get these land claims and disputes settled as quickly as possible… For our childrens sake and their childrens – childrens sake. Violence begets violence and we do not need these disputes to give birth to bloodshed. Peace to you all my brothers and sisters.
Scribe added these pithy words on 23 May 08 at 1:52 amI may not be seudo-political but I’d just like to say that the Canadian govermerment, or perhaps more specifically the Quevec Municipal courts were wrong in their actions with regards to the Oka Crisis. Courts ruled in favor of private Quebecious club expanding its golf course, let me repeat that: GOLF COURSE onto First Nations land. FYI, this is in direct violation of treaties between the league of first nations peoples and the Canadian (back then British) goverment. The treaties state that the First Nations people own this land, IE. the reserves. ALSO, the land that the Quebecois were trying to expand on was sacred Mohawk burial ground. These claims were previously investigated in the 70’s by archaelogists and National Geographic who both confirmed, and thereby, validating these claims. Now, I’m not say that what the Mohawk doing was right from a military aspect but they did set up peaceful roadblocks and protests before being having tear gas and concussion grenades thrown at them by the Oka municipal police. Then, after the conflict got far too violent provoking the walk off of women, children and elderly mohawk from the reserve, to be met by stones! STONES
Hello???!! I’m of the opinion that STONING doesn’t happen in a country that is supposed to be famous for its peaceful ways and acceptance of other cultures. Hell, I’m of the opinion that stoning doesn’t happen in a country that is a member of the Big 10.
But on the matter of First Nations terrorist groups and military uprisings, people can you really blame them? Snow, you speak of oppurtunities, of opening shop and moving on into the new age (my interperation). How can these people do this when the suicide rate of First Nations teens living on reserves is oddsome 50% AND RISING. The young are killing themselves because of the poor conditions they live in. will any corporation hire someone that went to a school that is second, if not a third rate school. No. Financial lose, that’s what that would be. That’s how capitilism works. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a anti-capitilist (though i do have SOME problems with the system but thats natural) I think the system typically works. But it’s Canada. Canada the peaceful, accepting and safe. If Canada is really what it says it is, there would be no need for terrorist groups that attack the federal,municipal, and provincial goverments of Canada.
In closing I would like to ditto Redmans last statement
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