Mohawk nations supports Lubicon band

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The Mohawk nation of Quebec has declared solidarity with the Lubicon Lake Indian band and sending one of their own doctors to the reserve to help with the tuberculosis crisis.

About one-third of the small Cree band have been affected by the disease.

"We want to do everything we can to help the band because we know what they are going through," says Chief John Bud Morris.

As a demonstration of their solidarity more than 700 Mohawks lines the route of the Olympic torch run as it crossed through the Kahnawake reserve near Montreal, Friday Dec. 11.

Leading the flame was a Mohawk runner who carried a wooden Olympic torch effigy (model of the flame), while cheering crowds carrying placards saying "Share the Blame" and "Justice for the Lubicon" looked on.

"The reason we chose an effigy was as a symbol of what the government is going to the Lubicons," said Chief John Bud Morris in a telephone interview this week. "We want to warn people what can happen to the spirit; it could be extinguished leaving only a remnant."

Shortly before the scheduled run through the reserve, Petro-Canada officials had considered rerouting the flame procession around the reserve. However, the Mohawks pledged they would not use violence, only "a peaceful show of unity with our brothers to the west.

"We want to help the Lubicons and we want the Alberta and federal governments to come to a settlement with the band. We have had a lot of experience with the government ? more than 300 years. We also signed a treaty, the Truro Wampum in 1600 so we have dealt with the government for a long time."

During the run, Olympic gold medal winner, Mohawk Alwyn Morris told the assembled crowd that he supported the Lubicon people and called on the government to give the band a "fair, just and expedient settlement."

Morris, who won a gold medal in the 1984 summer Games for canoeing, held an eagle feather when he received his medal at the Los Angeles Games.

After the ceremony, 400 yellow balloons with messages of support for the Alberta band were released. "We want everyone to know we support the band and we wanted to make sure the color would stand out."

Morris says yellow was chosen because of the striking contrast between it and the red and white colors used by the Olympics and by Petro-Canada.

However, although the flame passed on to its next destination, Morris says the Mohawks will continue their support by sending a small delegation to Calgary during the Olympics.

"Any help we can give, we will, because we really want to assist them to get this whole thing settled. We are also offering one of our council members for political negotiations because we have had longer experience with the government then they have."

And Morris feels the protest had been constructive because a quick survey undertaken by the band revealed more non-Native people are now aware of the Lubicon situation.

"I would say we have raised the awareness in most people here on Montreal Island and I am sure this will continue."