WHAT IS THE WARRIOR INVOLVEMENT IN GAMBLING?

In January of 1990, Akwesasne Police Chief Ernie King predicted the sad future in store for the Mohawks. As a result of the heavily armed security forces protecting the private casinos, King said, "We are beyond saying that someone is going to get hurt. We now know someone is going to get killed." (Toronto Star, 1/20/90) While publicly, the warriors claimed they only wanted to defend Mohawk sovereignty, in reality, they were involved in the promotion of gambling. Ernie King had come under gunfire, as had many who opposed gambling, smuggling, gun running and drug dealing. However, in the end what he predicted came true as two unarmed Mohawk men were murdered during a wild night gunfire where the warriors sought to put an end to the opposition to gaming once and for all.

During the confrontation at Oka, the warriors took over the agenda and turned it from land rights for the Oka Mohawks to demanding that the warriors be given the right to operate high-stakes bingo. The real reason that the warriors moved in on Oka was to protect their gaming at Kahnawake and to spread their gaming operations to other Haudenosaunee communities. On Aug 21, 1990, Randy Horne (Tioterokon), a warrior negotiator, demanded that federal and provincial government recognize a new native nation, comprised of representatives of the six Mohawk communities. He asked that land be turned over to this new group to settle the Mohawk land claims. He asked of amnesty from prosecution for the Mohawk Super Bingo Hall run by the Mohawk Nation Office at Kahnawake. These impossible demands were never sanctioned by the people at Oka, nor the Confederacy. This shows that the warriors have their own agenda and used Oka as a way to promote their gambling interests.

Other important actions provide the warrior agenda was pro-gambling:

Aug 27, 1989 - Anti-gambling protesters march on the Mohawk Warriors Society Headquarters, French Riviera Casino, Tony's Vegas International and stormed the Lucky Knight Casino and the newly constructed building is set afire. The warriors accuse Mike Mitchell, Barbara Barnes, Roger Thomas, Louis Mitchell, Tyler Sunday, Johanna Jackson, Lorena David, and Richard Mitchell of leading the protesters. It is clear that the warriors do not respect their own law and sought power through guns, gaming andsmuggling.

Oct 1989 - The Kahnawake Branch of the Mohawk Nation issues a press release that accuses Ron LaFrance, Mike Mitchell, Ed Smoke, Doug George, Barbara Barnes, Richard Mitchell, Fishy Jacobs, James Kane, Stuart Myiow, Tom Porter, Jake Swamp, Richard Powless, Ross David and other unnamed conspirators as violating tradition by working with the elected councils and promoting more armed police forces in Mohawk communities to enforce outside laws. The elective governments did call in the state police to raid the illegal casinos. After the raids, where illegal slot machines supplied by the mob were removed, the warriors sought to blame the traditionalists.

Dec 1989 - Major Leu, the New York State Police Commander of the unit assigned to Akwesasne meets with the elected Council and suggests that the Mohawk Sovereignty Security Force (MSSF), the so-called Warrior Society, be recognized as the "Policing Authority" at Akwesasne. As a result, the elected Council asks for his removal as his actions were considered irresponsible. This shows that the real conspiracy with the state was between the warriors and the state police. In fact, several state troopers have been found to be in business with the warriors and the warriors were trying to use the power of New York State to establish themselves as superior to the elective governments and the longhouse government. Governor Coumo and head warrior Art Montour, friends since the settlement for Ganienkeh, had conspired to place the warrior-backed MSSF in charge. Fortunately it failed, but the MSSF went on a rampage, spreading fear through violence, guilty of repeated beatings, drive-by shootings, car smashing and arson. They made life at Akwesasne very dangerous for over a year.

March 23, 1990 - Anti-gambling activists put up blockades to keep gamblers off their territory that lasted 33 days. In March, the three governments agree to suspend gambling until a referendum is conducted, but pro-gambling forces, aided by the warriors, refused to abide by a referendum. On April 23-24, the warriors raided the roadblocks, destroyed 24 cars and started repeated firefights. Thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired at the traditionalists. There was even a bombing at the tribal police station. On April 27, Brian Cole, an anti-gambler, was beaten by the warriors and put in the hospital with a broken skull.

May 1, 1990 - Harold J.R. Edwards and Matthew Pike (shot in the back) are killed in gunfire between pro and anti gambling factions at Akwesasne. Pike was trying to rescue Doug George (Akwesasne Notes editor) and his brother from an all-night fire fight with the warriors. The reservation was sealed off by State and Provincial Police. 2,000 Mohawks leave their community in fear of their lives. Doug George is charged with murder in the killing of Edwards but he is later found not guilty. Akwesasne Police officers Roger Mitchell, Ken Lazore, and Steve Lazore were also arrested by the Quebec Police for the shooting and were later released as well.

1990 - NY State Governor Mario Cuomo suggests Akwesasne Mohawk elected leaders work with the Warrior Society and casino operators in the form of some form of legal gaming. The conspiracy between the warriors and the State of New York continued as certain New York politicians and business leaders wanted to use the Iroquois introduce casinos to New York State. They felt that of the Iroquois casinos were allowed to flourish, then the New York State Legislature might be more inclined to support state-wide casinos. Cuomo informed the traditional chiefs that the Iroquois were going to have casinos whether they wanted them or not. The warriors were willing partners in this abuse of our collective sovereignty.