Oka-sparked hatred hits Alberta Natives

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The brutality of Oka is being felt in Alberta where differing opinions are pitting Indian against Indian and is also causing a violent non-Native backlash.

One Native has already been killed in a drunken brawl in Edmonton between Natives with opposing views on the Mohawk situation at Oka, Que.

And there is a rising tide of incidents of non-Natives attacking Natives, say Native spokesmen - incidents that are Oka related.

The Indian Association of Alberta says it has a growing list of reports of natives being attacked by non-Natives who oppose the Mohawk protest and Peigan Lonefighter actions in southern Alberta.

Similar attacks have been reported by other organizations.

"It's getting really bad," says Marilynn Buffalo, cochairman of the federal Liberal Party's Aboriginal Peoples Commission. "It has polarized peoples feelings and opinions."

Jackie Bouvier, who works with a Metis family and childrens group in Edmonton, says her boyfriend was badly beaten inside a small restaurant by non-Natives opposed to Mohawk actions at Oka.

She says something has to be done to halt the violence.

It's reached the level where "a lot of Native people don't want to talk about it," she said.