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People of the Pines
454 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 25, 2010
I’m surprised to find that there have been no reviews about this book however, I’m more than pleased to be the first to review Geoffrey York’s People of the Pines. A bit of background info first; during the summer of the Oka crisis in 1990, I was living in the Eastern Townships of Quebec (south-western portion of the province, close to the U.S. border) where I continue to live today. This region is approximately 100 km. south-east of Montreal, where the reserve of Kahnawake is located. When the crisis erupted, I along with other Quebec residents became glued to the radio and television in order to get the latest updates on the situation. (Personally, I was more so because of my Native background being that my maternal grandfather and ancestors, are originally from the region of Kahnawake).
At the time, I was aware of some of the reasons that the Mohawks occupied the Pines yet I lacked some of the details of the history of the town of Oka and the long-standing power struggle between the municipality and the Mohawks of Kanesatake, over disputed land. York’s book contains details and some historical background about the Iroquois Confederacy and particularly the Mohawks of the region, as well as land claims issues. At the time, the media’s representation of the Mohawks (here in Quebec, specifically) during the crisis was blatantly biased from the Francophone community although they did have some support behind the reasoning for the occupation, from the Anglophone media. (Towards mid-summer, the international community became mostly sympathetic towards the Mohawk struggle, especially the International Human Rights Commission.) For spectators, it was difficult to grasp the entire truth and historical significance for the occupation, if one were interested in the actual facts that led to the blockade. Briefly, if I may, from a historical perspective, the Mohawks of both Kanesatake and Kahnawake have consistently upheld their rights to their respective lands and their right to govern themselves within their own sovereign nation, for over hundreds of years (not to mention the Six Nations within the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy). The Oka crisis was nothing new in terms of their struggle to hold on to their land and sovereignty. What was new, was how far they were willing to go in order to defend that land! This is what ultimately proved to be the basis of the crisis and what subsequently angered both the citizens and the governments of Canada. By taking a combative stand, most of the Mohawks of Kanesatake and Kahnawake also agreed to enlist the help of the Warrior Society, a militant group within the Confederacy that was prepared to take up arms in order to defend and protect the sacred burial site situated in the Pines (and which the mayor of Oka had intended to expand as a nine-hole golf course). At that point, peaceful negotiations between the municipality of Oka and the Kanesatake Mohawks, had stalled and despite their (Mohawks) resistance, the mayor insisted that the municipality was going ahead with the resolution to expand the existing golf course, with or without the Mohawks’ consent. This is when things began to heat up and the Mohawks took up arms and blocked the entrance to the Pines. What followed during the course of the summer of 1990, was that Mohawks from the communities of Kahnawake, Kanesatake and Akwesasne, also put up barricades around their respective communities to show support and solidarity with the Mohawks of the reserve of Kanesatake. Various First Nations and Native American nations also came to show support and help during the 78 day stand-off. For geographical purposes, the reserve of Kanesatake is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, 53 kilometers west of Montreal, and across from the Lake of Two Mountains. (For more detailed information, simply google the reserves and the town of Oka, Quebec).
Geoffrey York’s book examines the Mohawks behind the barricades that were erected that summer in Kanesatake and Kahnawake as well as some aspects of Mohawk life, from the spiritual Longhouse people to the militant Warrior Society and how each play a role in their communities. The book is a very interesting examination of what actually took place that summer and how the crisis finally ended. At that time, the author was a journalist writing for Toronto’s daily The Globe & Mail and was one of a handful of journalists and reporters present, during the crisis. I won’t spoil it for the reader by saying that at 421 pages (plus ‘a note on sources’ and an index), People of the Pines is a quick read, yet if you are interested in knowing more about a time in our recent history when a proud people (the Mohawk nation) dared to face down the provincial police, the Canadian Army and a group of irate (and often violent)citizens, in order to defend and protect traditional land that they have been entrusted with for over hundreds of years. As a companion piece, you might also like to look into the National Film Board of Canada’s (NFB) documentary filmed by award-winning filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin entitled, Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance.
http://www.nfb.ca/film/kanehsatake_27...
You can view this excellent film in its entirety at 119 min 15 s at the NFB site by following the link above. Alanis Obomsawin, who is an Abenaki native woman, was behind the barricades during most of the 78 day stand-off. Ms. Obomsawin also has many other films available for viewing at the NFB site. I can’t say enough positive things about this extraordinary woman, except that I’m a big fan of her work.
I gave People of the Pines 5 stars, more for its content than its prose. The book is well written for its subject matter. Nia:wen
At the time, I was aware of some of the reasons that the Mohawks occupied the Pines yet I lacked some of the details of the history of the town of Oka and the long-standing power struggle between the municipality and the Mohawks of Kanesatake, over disputed land. York’s book contains details and some historical background about the Iroquois Confederacy and particularly the Mohawks of the region, as well as land claims issues. At the time, the media’s representation of the Mohawks (here in Quebec, specifically) during the crisis was blatantly biased from the Francophone community although they did have some support behind the reasoning for the occupation, from the Anglophone media. (Towards mid-summer, the international community became mostly sympathetic towards the Mohawk struggle, especially the International Human Rights Commission.) For spectators, it was difficult to grasp the entire truth and historical significance for the occupation, if one were interested in the actual facts that led to the blockade. Briefly, if I may, from a historical perspective, the Mohawks of both Kanesatake and Kahnawake have consistently upheld their rights to their respective lands and their right to govern themselves within their own sovereign nation, for over hundreds of years (not to mention the Six Nations within the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy). The Oka crisis was nothing new in terms of their struggle to hold on to their land and sovereignty. What was new, was how far they were willing to go in order to defend that land! This is what ultimately proved to be the basis of the crisis and what subsequently angered both the citizens and the governments of Canada. By taking a combative stand, most of the Mohawks of Kanesatake and Kahnawake also agreed to enlist the help of the Warrior Society, a militant group within the Confederacy that was prepared to take up arms in order to defend and protect the sacred burial site situated in the Pines (and which the mayor of Oka had intended to expand as a nine-hole golf course). At that point, peaceful negotiations between the municipality of Oka and the Kanesatake Mohawks, had stalled and despite their (Mohawks) resistance, the mayor insisted that the municipality was going ahead with the resolution to expand the existing golf course, with or without the Mohawks’ consent. This is when things began to heat up and the Mohawks took up arms and blocked the entrance to the Pines. What followed during the course of the summer of 1990, was that Mohawks from the communities of Kahnawake, Kanesatake and Akwesasne, also put up barricades around their respective communities to show support and solidarity with the Mohawks of the reserve of Kanesatake. Various First Nations and Native American nations also came to show support and help during the 78 day stand-off. For geographical purposes, the reserve of Kanesatake is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, 53 kilometers west of Montreal, and across from the Lake of Two Mountains. (For more detailed information, simply google the reserves and the town of Oka, Quebec).
Geoffrey York’s book examines the Mohawks behind the barricades that were erected that summer in Kanesatake and Kahnawake as well as some aspects of Mohawk life, from the spiritual Longhouse people to the militant Warrior Society and how each play a role in their communities. The book is a very interesting examination of what actually took place that summer and how the crisis finally ended. At that time, the author was a journalist writing for Toronto’s daily The Globe & Mail and was one of a handful of journalists and reporters present, during the crisis. I won’t spoil it for the reader by saying that at 421 pages (plus ‘a note on sources’ and an index), People of the Pines is a quick read, yet if you are interested in knowing more about a time in our recent history when a proud people (the Mohawk nation) dared to face down the provincial police, the Canadian Army and a group of irate (and often violent)citizens, in order to defend and protect traditional land that they have been entrusted with for over hundreds of years. As a companion piece, you might also like to look into the National Film Board of Canada’s (NFB) documentary filmed by award-winning filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin entitled, Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance.
http://www.nfb.ca/film/kanehsatake_27...
You can view this excellent film in its entirety at 119 min 15 s at the NFB site by following the link above. Alanis Obomsawin, who is an Abenaki native woman, was behind the barricades during most of the 78 day stand-off. Ms. Obomsawin also has many other films available for viewing at the NFB site. I can’t say enough positive things about this extraordinary woman, except that I’m a big fan of her work.
I gave People of the Pines 5 stars, more for its content than its prose. The book is well written for its subject matter. Nia:wen
May 9, 2008
This book makes my blood boil.
August 3, 2018
Good overview of the Oka Crisis and what led up to it over the past couple centuries. Written very close to the event itself. The authors tried to contextualize it in how it led to shifts in indigenous-state relations and what it would mean for the future but reading it over 25 years on it seemed out of date given more recent events (Idle No More).
February 22, 2018
This was a really good read. The author was very detailed and did a lot of research. Geoffrey York always does a great job covering First Nations people.
November 8, 2024
The Oka crisis should be part of Canadian curriculum.
August 2, 2012
This books covers an amazing topic: the stand-off at Kanesatake and the blockading of the seaway in Kanhawake. It's incredibly detailed (at times too much), but gives a good over view of native resistance leading up to the barricades in '90, as well as the history of the mohawaks and european colonizers.
The best parts of this book are by far the accounts of the stand-off, stuff in the 60's-80s and some of the internal dynamics. Definitely too much specific history (this treaty was violated, this treated was violated, etc.), and recounting of negotiations that happened at the time.
I would love to hear a native analysis of gender; gambling and running cigarettes to make money; a critique of the role mohawks historically played once europeans arrived in large numbers (this book leaves the impression they survived somewhat well because of their willingness to plunder other tribes, trade with europeans, etc.)
I also found it interesting that the Longhouse has a way of trying people, but doesn't believe in prisons. You have a few warnings too before actions are taking against you. There's some sort of police, but maybe their power is limited (a slipper slope). Also, the rule-by-consensus and ostracization for anyone who participates in state elections was cool.
Something else I wonder is if the stand-off at Kanesatake can be pointed to as one of the last armed stand-offs, and if that tactic of guns and barricades has become all but outdated and obsolete by the state's technology and weaponry.
Overall really good. Don't feel bad if you skip the boring parts!
The best parts of this book are by far the accounts of the stand-off, stuff in the 60's-80s and some of the internal dynamics. Definitely too much specific history (this treaty was violated, this treated was violated, etc.), and recounting of negotiations that happened at the time.
I would love to hear a native analysis of gender; gambling and running cigarettes to make money; a critique of the role mohawks historically played once europeans arrived in large numbers (this book leaves the impression they survived somewhat well because of their willingness to plunder other tribes, trade with europeans, etc.)
I also found it interesting that the Longhouse has a way of trying people, but doesn't believe in prisons. You have a few warnings too before actions are taking against you. There's some sort of police, but maybe their power is limited (a slipper slope). Also, the rule-by-consensus and ostracization for anyone who participates in state elections was cool.
Something else I wonder is if the stand-off at Kanesatake can be pointed to as one of the last armed stand-offs, and if that tactic of guns and barricades has become all but outdated and obsolete by the state's technology and weaponry.
Overall really good. Don't feel bad if you skip the boring parts!
April 15, 2013
It is a really eye opening perspective of the Oka crisis in the 90´s that pitted the Mohawk nation against the Canadian government and local town of Oka. It is written from the perspective of the Mohawks and the rationale behind why they wanted to protect their sacred lands from being turned into more golf courses.
October 23, 2013
Most of my memory of this Oka event, was from my activist involvement in Toronto, Queen's Park sleepover. It was good to read (23 years later) and review what I remembered.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews