The land claim issue at the root of the 1990 Oka crisis go back far beyond the 20th century, but the events leading to the crisis are more recent. The following document contains all the events that led to July 11th. These are the most important dates that influenced the escalation of the tension between Oka and Kanesatake

In 1977 The Kanesatake Mohawks address a demand to the Office of Native Claims of Canada. The government accept the document, finances the research, and includes the case in it's "specific claim" policy, this claim was to be refused in 1986 on the fact that it does not meet the "criteria".

In 1983 a special committee of the House of Commons, publishes a report that concluded that " one of the most important problems submitted to the committee is that of bands without reserve." The committee recommends that the land be granted to these groups on a priority basis. This was good news for the Kanesatake Mohawks, but no project this size could be accomplished in a short time frame. So a program known as "interim measures" was established, and land was purchased by the government and was to be transferred to the Mohawks at a later date.

In 1985 trouble resurfaced with the construction of the Treatment center for drug and alcohol abuse, on land to be purchased in future land claim settlements. Months of legal battles, petitions, town council resolutions, followed, and the project was finally given the go ahead, but the land was not to be transferred.

In 1987 An apartment building was built on a residential Mohawk land in the village of Oka. Needless to say the municipality immediately took steps to have the new building torn down. During this legal battle, the Oka golf club, set up a committee to examines the possibility of expanding the course.

In march of 1988 Mohawks ask municipal Oka employees to interrupt their work near the golf course, arguing they are on Native Land. An injunction is later granted by the Superior court to allow the employees to continue their work.

On March 8 1989 The golf club announces the development of nine more holes at a cost of $1 350 000 and should get under way in a few weeks. Later Mohawks demonstrated at the clubhouse. In view of the opposition raised by the golf club expansion project, the case is referred to the regional County Municipality of Deux Montagnes.

On April 1st 300 Mohawks, and other non native who oppose the expansion march in the village of Oka as part of a peaceful demonstration.

On April 5th, the land claims over the whole territory of the old Seigneurie is reaffirmed by means of a formal notice concerning "the illegal occupation of the land". submitted by the Mohawks of Kanesatake

On April 27th the Federal government, the Oka municipality, and the Mohawk council of Kanesatake held a meeting during which the federal government announces a land purchase program. The big news come from the fact that the golf course expansion is clearly identified as part of the land to be acquired.

On June 7th The Ministère de l'environment du Québec warns the municipality of Oka that any works aimed at modifying the ecological nature of the communs should be authorized beforehand by the minister.

During that time another project arose. A marina was to be built, again on land to be purchased by the government in relevance to the land claims. The Council stipulates that these two projects affect areas under negotiations and invoke the fact that, according to the April 27 verbal agreement, no work was to take place before the settlements of the Mohawk claims.

July 28th: The Environment minister order the municipal corporation of Oka to stop all works at the places mentioned. The warning was ignored and on August 1st the works officially begin, and the first tree is felled symbolically despite the opposition from the environment minister, and the Kanesatake Mohawks.

August 21st: Negotiations begin between Chief Clarence Simon, Oka-vilage Mayor Jean Ouellette, and Oka parish mayor Yvan Patry. It is resolved that the municipality of Oka Village will postpone the project to help resolve the difficulties.

During this time, A bingo hall was opened in Kanesatake. On September 29th, being deemed illegal, the Sureté du Québec forcefully intervened to put an end to the activities. And on November 8th a resolution proposed by chief Clarence Simon is unanimously adopted by the chiefs of Assembly of first Nations of Québec and Labrador, calling for the governments of Canada and Québec to launch an independent inquiry on relations certain communities and the police.

January 26 Chief Clarence Simon is dismissed by the Clan Mother, who choose George Martin to replace him. Chief Martin must obtain an injunction and call for the assistance of the Sureté du Québec in order to move into the band council.

March 11th: Mohawks set up a road block at the chemin du mille as the municipality lifts the moratorium on the golf club expansion project. A petition is also put forward with 1276 signatures against the expansion project.

April 26th The superior court grants an injunction to the Municipality of Oka forbidding Mohawk demonstrators to hold up any traffic and to block access to chemin du Mille.

May 2: The Sureté du Québec is preparing to intervene to remove the barricades. The minister of Native affairs, Mr. John Ciaccia sends an emissary to stop the police intervention. The police operation is called off.

May 3: Thirty citizens from Oka village create a group of "vigilante" during a town hall meeting. The group is given the mission to remove" by force if necessary" the occupants of the barricades.

May 7: Mayor Jean Ouellette asks the Sureté du Québec to put an end to the occupation of chemin du mille. According to the mayor, several sources have confirmed the presence of weapons, trenches and caches "which obviously endanger the public security of the citizens of Oka and elsewhere"

May 8: Minister John Ciaccia and Mayor Jean Ouellette agree that in order to help discussions resume in a peaceful climate, it would be best to postpone the golf club project indefinitely provided the Mohawks lift their blockade. 6 days later the Town Council of Oka Village refused to endorse the Mayor's commitment.

June 4: The municipality of Oka is willing to declare another moratorium for three months, provided the barricades are taken down, end in the case of a refusal an injunction will be requested. The Mohawks for their part are willing to lift the barricades, if the moratorium is declared for an indefinite period of time.

June 29th: An injunction is issued ordering that the barricades erected on the land of the communs, be removed, ON July 3rd the Kanesatake band council recommends that the Mohawk population conform to the superior court injunction.

This was firmly rejected by the members of the long House of Kanesatake. They denounced this stand by the Band Council and questioned it's legitimacy. The Longhouse announced their intention to maintain the barricades and to challenge the court order.

July 5: Minister of Public security, Mr. Sam Elkas declares that the Sureté du Québec will move in, on Monday July 9, if the barricades have not been taken down.

July 9th: Mr. John Ciaccia addresses a long letter to the Mayor of Oka, asking him to delay the golf course project for an indefinite period of time. In his request the Minister points to the seriousness of the situation and the risk of confrontation. He also suggests that these issues go "beyond strict legality".

This plea was ignored by Mayor Jean Ouellette. He insisted that the law was the law, the courts had ruled, and now it was the duty of the Sureté du Québec to uphold the ruling. He called for the Sureté du Québec to be sent without delay.

The Mohawks on their side knew very well a confrontation was coming in the next few days. They reinforced their positions, they strung up barbed wire through the trees, Logs barrels and sandbags were used to build bunkers. All of this without knowing the confrontation was to come the very next day...