Prior to every home game this season, the Montreal Canadiens will present a message of territorial recognition “in honor of the past, present and future contributions of Indigenous peoples”. While the Aboriginal communities welcome this initiative, some historians question whether the territory of Montreal belongs to the Mohawks.
“It’s good to see the initiative of the organization. A step in the direction of the respect and the recognition of the original peoples of this territory ”, affirmed to Press Jeremy Tomlinson, elected member of the Kanesatake Mohawk Council.
The recognition of the territory is a mark of homage and respect towards the indigenous peoples and attests that the lands and territories of the indigenous nations have never been ceded.
“The Montreal Canadiens wish to recognize the Kanien’keha: ka, also known as the Mohawk Nation, for their hospitality on the traditional and unceded territory where we are gathered today”, read the official announcer of the CH, Michel Lacroix. , before each game.
IMAGE FROM THE CANADIAN SITE
This is the first of several initiatives the Canadiens will unveil this year to recognize, honor and support First Nations and local Indigenous communities, the organization said on Saturday.
” [La reconnaissance territoriale] is probably one of the most important steps. Our culture is fundamentally linked to the land, our territory. The alienation that we have suffered from our territory remains to this day one of the most harmful acts against us, ”said Mr. Tomlison.
According to the member of the Council, the recognition makes it possible to approach “the possibility of a true reconciliation”. “It’s a shame that the provincial and federal governments are still unable to do the same. ”
The Saguenay Native Friendship Center agrees. “It’s a great recognition initiative on the part of the Canadian. It allows reconciliation and especially to develop pride for the First Nations, ”said Kévin Bacon, promotion officer at the Saguenay Native Friendship Center.
Uncertainties
Denys Delage, sociologist, historian and professor at Laval University, agrees with the territorial recognition, but maintains that the territory of the city of Montreal belonged to the Algonquins and not to the Mohawks.
“To say that we are in the territory of a nation is a very good idea. When we are in Sept-Îles, we are in Innu territory or when we are in Ottawa, we are in Algonquin territory. The problem in Montreal is that it’s not the Mohawks, it’s the Algonquins, ”he said.
According to him, the Montreal Canadiens should mention that Montreal is in aboriginal territory, but not on unceded territory belonging to the Mohawks.
Few of the data available make it possible to establish who owned the territory of Montreal. “We are swimming in assumptions, uncertainties and vagueness. It is far from clear that Montreal is a Mohawk territory. The only ones who hold this hypothesis are the activists ”, argued Éric Bédard, historian, professor at Téluq University and author of the book. Quebec: turning points in a national history.
According to him, the Montreal Canadiens decided to recognize the indigenous territories to give themselves a clear conscience. “They want to be in the parade, they are in the pure symbolism and they interfere in a highly sensitive and polarizing debate. ”
Awareness of society
What community therefore inhabited the territory of Montreal? “The very question comes from a Eurocentric vision of the territory, with borders controlled exclusively by a single people,” replied the professor at the Department of History of the University of Montreal, David Meren. According to him, we must recognize the claims of the Mohawk Nation, as well as those of other communities who recognize Montreal as their land.
Territorial recognition is a fairly common practice in English Canada, but which started more recently in Quebec, said Professor Meren. “It is very important to recognize that our society, including our leisure activities, is built on a history and a cultural reality of colonization,” he said.
According to Catherine Larochelle, professor in the history department of the University of Montreal, the Canadian initiative shows that society’s awareness of these issues is progressing. “This is mainly due to the action of indigenous people and communities who have fought for years for colonial history and its consequences to be recognized,” she said.
Professor Meren, who uses territorial recognition in his lessons, considers that the action of the Montreal Canadiens is a step in the right direction, but he reminds that this recognition must be combined with concrete actions.
“It should not be the end, but rather the beginning of something more concrete that opens the door to decolonization. Otherwise, we will do a recognition, we will say nice words, but nothing will change, ”he concluded.