Chief Lahache Visits POLI 204

Mohawk Chief Warren Lahache visited our Canadian Politics class. He is from the Kahnawake Mohawk Council, located just ten (10) minutes from Montreal.

(We at Concordia University are sitting in class on First Nation land.)

Chief Warren Lahache (English-given first name; French-given last name) is part of 10,000 people (8,000 of whom live on the reservation). He is very proud and interested in preserving his First Nation customs and language. The Mohawk language was "lost" during the '60s when the Anglican church INSISTED that boarding-school children speak only English. Traditionally, it is the grandmothers' role to teach the children the Mohawk language. Now, there are also language school programs for children, adults & the "lost" generation.

Chief Lahache shared a very interesting history of his people. There was no "finger pointing"--just the facts, M'me. A history of cooperation and sharing and caring on the part of the Mohawks towards their new neighbours, the English and the French settlers.

They are a matriarchal society (your First Nation heritage comes from your mother.)

As for today... Yes, there are problems on the Reservation, including drunkenness. There are also "unusual, unique" ways to make big money, i.e., smuggling cigarettes (involves 500 employees) and on-line gambling. Although he's not in favour, Chief Lahache cannot dispute the fact that there are huge economic benefits to be obtained.

There are always First Nation rights & ways to defend. As of June 1st, the borders between the US and Canada require passports to enter/re-enter. Well, the border area includes land that "belongs" to the Mohawks. THEY are required to flash passports around to visit family members on either side?? There are also armed border patrol officers, whose presence violate the Mohawk way of living in peace... Issues that need to be discussed, recognized and--hopefully--resolved.

He invited the class to visit the Reservation, especially during the annual Pow-Wow.

Chief Lahache did NOT have a long ponytail (as RHOnda had expected). He IS a good-looking, well-dressed, very articulate and open First Nation man.

RHOTO has been very privileged to meet both Justin Trudeau and Chief Warren Lahache in our class!!

RHOTO