The Oka Crisis : A Mirror of the Soul

by John Ciaccia

The Oka Crisis, as it became known, drew worldwide attention and brought in the International Federation of Human Rights. This story is not just about the Mohawks at Oka. It is about history, human nature, a clash of multiple cultures, survival and about soul. John Ciaccia, Minister of Native Affairs for Quebec at the time of the Crisis and the key negotiator of the James Bay Agreement, was at the center of the action. For years, he could not bring himself to speak about the events. But now, he has revealed the story of what went on that summer. It is a brutally compelling read with a labyrinth of shifting political forces. It is a story of how history led to the fateful events of July 11th, how some leaders looked beyond their self interest and worked for peace. For Ciaccia, the journey was personal as well as political.

356 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2000

Reviews

[Daniel J. Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well-written and thoughtful book from the recently late John Ciaccia. His voice is very useful and is worth revisiting all these years later.