Weekend incidents leave many shaken, remembering 1990

Last Friday, February 22, 2019, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police (AMPS) carried out a search warrant at the Wild Flower Dispensary on Kawehno:ke resulting in the arrest of one individual who has since been released, 'undertaking conditions' and a promise to appear. Indian Time has learned, but could not confirm with AMPS, that the individual arrested was Jared Jock of Akwesasne. As of Wednesday, February 27, no charges have been laid. The Wild Flower Dispensary is self-licensed by the Indian Way longhouse, purportedly located on Jock Road, Akwesasne, with Roger Jock as their leader. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has not issued a license to sell recreational marijuana to the Wild Flower Dispensary or to any other business.

Immediately after the arrest of Jock, supporters arrived onsite on Kawehno:ke. People parked their vehicles to block AMPS from leaving the island. Supporters held their stance and after some time had passed, an elder arrived trying to calm people and to suggest it wasn't worth getting arrested or hurt. The incident resulted in the closure of the south span of the international bridge for a short time, and ended with supporters and protestors moving on to the headquarters of the AMPS in Kana:takon. As soon as Jock was arrested a call-out was made to supporters to meet at the Akwesasne Mohawk Police headquarters located in Kana:takon. From various sources, photos and videos, dozens of people arrived as soon as the call-out was made. One witness stated AMPS had agreed to meet with representatives of the protestors which included three women, one from each clan: bear, turtle and wolf. One of their demands was for an all-native police force including a demand for the chief of police, Shawn Delude, to resign.

Chaz Kader, a representative of the Indian Way longhouse, stated the evening started calm enough with a tobacco burning and later with sage, but once the women left the AMPS headquarters, things fell apart. According to the onlookers, two AMPS officers were on foot outside of the building and other officers were sitting in AMPS vehicles nearby. A move was made by a protestor confronting an officer and within a few seconds everyone was involved. Matching many accounts: one protestor wielded an aluminum bat.

In the end, two officers were injured, one serious enough to spend time in the hospital recovering. As well, circulating videos and several witnesses claim an AMPS vehicle was stolen 'by youth' and set on fire on the St. Regis River. Another vehicle had its windshield smashed. The burned-out AMPS vehicle has since been recovered and is currently being processed.

On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, the Wild Flower Dispensary shared this post:

"As for the raids, we are having meetings between both supporters and those whom oppose us so that we can all be on the same page, we can be of one mind. The store will continue to be open meantime and we'll continue serving both the island and the Canadian communities. We respect the concerns that people maybe having and ensure to everyone that we are working these issues out. The Wildflower page is meant for business and we will continue trying to keep you informed. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused for anyone, but feel free to stop in or call. We're open our usual hours."

Wild Flower also shared a post stating they are waiting for more product to arrive and they are open for business as usual. In a recent post, the Wild Flower Dispensary promised to continue selling recreational marijuana immediately after their first raid and "as soon as product reached their shelves".

The search warrant is based on the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) Akwesasne Interim Cannabis Regulation (MCR 2018 #212), 'which governs the possession, use, cultivation, sale, and distribution of cannabis in Akwesasne under the jurisdiction of the MCA. The regulation includes the requirement for cannabis-related businesses to obtain a license from the MCA. The Akwesasne Interim Cannabis Regulation took effect on October 17, 2018 when cannabis was legalized in Canada.'

As stated on the MCA website, "The interim regulation was enacted to reassure community members that their health and safety is the top priority of the MCA.  The Mohawk Council is working diligently to ensure that an orderly transition from cannabis prohibition to a regulated cannabis market in Akwesasne will occur under Akwesasne Regulations. Beginning on October 17, 2018, the unlicensed commercial production, distribution, possession or sale of cannabis continues to be prohibited in Akwesasne. The provisions of the Akwesasne Interim Cannabis Regulation will be enforced, and violations can lead to prosecution under applicable legislation."

The MCA reiterated, "At the current time, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has not issued any licenses under the Akwesasne Interim Cannabis Regulation. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne will continue to work diligently to ensure that an orderly transition occurs in the coming months and that a fulsome law enactment process takes place for the development of an Akwesasne Cannabis Law. The MCA is also working to ensure any licensed operations in Akwesasne have access to a safe, creditable supplier of cannabis."

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe issued this joint statement on Monday, February 25, 2019:

On Friday, Enníska/February 22, 2019, a series of events took place related to the regulation of recreational cannabis that threatened to disrupt the peace and safety of the Akwesasne community. In response to these incidents, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council issued the following statement:

"Akwesasne has faced many challenges as part of an ongoing effort to ensure that the health and safety of the community remains a priority. At this time, we respectfully acknowledge the differing perspectives on this matter and encourage continued peaceful dialogue. Throughout this process, we continue to seek the assistance of all Akwesasronon in promoting peace, harmony, and the working relationships we've proudly achieved in recent years.

In a press release from the Indian Way longhouse dated Saturday, February 23, they placed the blame solely on AMPS, stating:

The unfortunate actions undertaken by the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services (AMPS) resulted in a social upheaval on Akwesasne that was witnessed by young and old in a frightening way...

Under the Kaienerakowa (Great Law of Peace) the opportunity for Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) Grand Chief Abram Benedict to meet and discuss the disagreements regarding licensing could have taken place but this meeting has not occurred."

Adding, "At this time, the Indian Way Longhouse rejects the inconceivable events that took place on Friday Feb. 22, 2019 and it will go down as a day of outrage against the search warrant execution as well as that agency's rejection of the 3-clan system that is the foundation of Onkwehonweh existence in Akwesasne.

On Tuesday afternoon the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service verified two officers were injured in the melee, and offered this statement:

On Friday, February 22, 2019 at approximately 8:30 PM, protestors gathered outside the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) headquarters in Kana:takon (St. Regis, Quebec) . AMPS officers monitored the protest in a safe and peaceful manner.

At approximately 2:00 AM, officers were confronted by several individuals attending the protest. During this incident, two officers were injured and required medical attention. AMPS officers displayed professionalism in this difficult situation, while maintaining peace and order.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service strives to continue working with Akwesasronon in maintaining peace and balance for the community. The AMPS have received an overwhelming amount of emails, messages and phone calls from community members thanking the police and commending their efforts, in addition to donations of food and coffee for the officers; we would like to express gratitude for the continued support and thoughtfulness.

The AMPS will continue to investigate these incidents. We also continue to hope that a peaceful and lasting resolution can be achieved. We ask everyone to continue working together with us in restoring tranquility to Akwesasne.

In speaking to community members, especially elders, the events that unfolded Friday evening left many of them shaken. Many remember the turmoil in 1990 - the divisiveness in the community and the lengthy path to healing. Many questioned the protestor's leaders and their failure to 'lead our youth in a peaceful manner', and others question the burning of a vehicle on the river while community members work tirelessly to protect our waters and still others question the validity of the Indian Way longhouse and the violence itself for the self-proclaimed followers of the Great Law which is based on skennen – peace.