The Kanien’kehá:ka say a vast swath of Montreal’s South Shore is theirs. They want their claim settled
As development encroaches closer to Kahnawà:ke’s borders, Grand Chief Cody Diabo is speaking out against the ongoing land grievance that has been stalled in federal bureaucracy for 345 years. The community near Montreal is frustrated as they watch homes and businesses being built on land they claim has belonged to them for centuries.
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) has launched an information campaign and a new website in an effort to bring new life to the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis (SSSL) Land Grievance. This land claim, covering approximately 97 square kilometres, extends beyond Kahnawà:ke’s current borders and includes several municipalities across the Montérégie region on the South Shore.
Grand Chief Diabo is adamant about righting the wrongs of the past and ensuring that Kahnawà:ke receives what is rightfully theirs. He is not willing to settle for anything less than what is owed to the community. The federal government accepted the grievance in 2003, but progress has been slow due to negotiations revolving around negotiation protocols.
Michael Coyle, a professor specializing in Indigenous rights and dispute resolution, explains that when Canada accepts a claim, it signifies an outstanding legal obligation towards the First Nation. While talks have been ongoing for decades, Diabo is pushing for a directive to pause development efforts on SSSL or involve the band in discussions regarding the land.
The history of the SSSL dates back to the 17th century when French King Louis XIV granted parcels of land to the Jesuits for the use and occupation of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke. Despite the grant stipulating that settlers would not be allowed on the land, the Jesuits began granting parts of the land to French settlers. A ruling in 1762 favored the Kanien’kehá:ka, but the matter was never fully resolved, leading to the continued dispossession of their lands.
Diabo emphasizes the need for a serious conversation with the federal and provincial governments to formulate a transition plan. He reassures the people living in the affected municipalities that a successful settlement does not necessarily mean further displacement. The federal government and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) have been working with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke in confidential negotiations to resolve the grievance.
While the Quebec government is not participating in the negotiations, Diabo remains hopeful that a creative solution can be reached. He urges Kahnawà:ke’s neighbors to educate themselves on the dispute and understand the community’s perspective. As development continues to encroach on their land, he stresses the importance of settling the matter now rather than prolonging the situation.
The ongoing dispute over the SSSL highlights the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in reclaiming their lands and righting historical wrongs. It is essential for all parties involved to work together towards a fair and just resolution that respects the rights and sovereignty of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke.
