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PRINCIPAL WARRIORS AT OKA Loran Thompson, 45 e) Interference with the health, safety and welfare of the Community In 1975, two Oneidas died in a fire in their house. The local town refused to let their firemen respond to the alarm. There had been several instances where police, firemen, and utility repairmen were stopped at the boundary line by armed members of the Oneida Warrior Society. At a Warrior meeting at Oneida in March 1989, William Belgen stated the list for the priorities of the warriors included: Mobilization of men from other territories; tell residents that they must follow the decrees of the warriors or be forced to leave the territories; and meet force with force if the outside police try to intervene. A Kahnawake warrior named Dan told a reporter that the Iroquois will have no alternative but to live by the law of the warriors: "If we have more weapons, we have the power. If they don't keep in line we'll wipe them out." (Dispatch, 3/13/89) In 1989, the Kahnawake Warriors Society banished Evelyn Johnson, a Mohawk, who was known to be a drug dealer in the community. While the intent of the action admirable, the warriors established their own "people's meeting" to act their own court to charge, convict and sentence the offender. The Warriors had actually set up a sing operation, sending their own members to purchase cocaine from Ms Johnson. They then sent warriors to forcibly remove her to their "court." The warriors considered banishment the appropriate cultural response for someone who has disgraced themselves by their activities that are considered harmful for the well-being of the community. However, the warriors created an environment of lawlessness at Akwesasne that lead to other dangers to the community. In addition to the gun running and smuggling, the drug dealers moved into the communities. On Oct 14, 1988, 250 Ontario Provincial Police raided several warehouse used for smuggling and seized $200,000 illegal cigarettes, cocaine, marijuana and weapons. The warriors retaliated the next day by occupying the Canada Customs building at Cornwall Island. In 1988, the house of Stuart Myiow was strafed with gunfire. He was strongly opposed to the warriors at Kahnawake who patrolled the reserve and threatened whoever they wished. In 1989, the warriors headquarters cam under attack and a fight ensued that lasted for nearly an hour after the warriors set a car of an anti-gambler on fire. On May 10, 1990, 100 Ontario Provincial Police and RCMP officers raided Akwesasne and arrested 21 Mohawks on weapons and drug charges. They seized 61 ounces of cocaine, 12 weapons 1989 - A delegation of warriors, led by Paul Delaronde and Art Montour attended a meeting at the Onondaga Longhouse and announced that they no longer recognize the Chiefs as the leaders and that the Chiefs no longer speak for the warriors. They delivered their message and walked out. From that moment on, the Chiefs considered these warriors outside the protective circle of the Haudenosaunee. By their personal actions, the warriors have removed themselves from the Great Law of Peace, and no longer have a voice in the affairs of the Grand Council. |