Mohawks on a reserve which is partly in the province of Quebec say that if that province holds a referendum on separation from Canada, it might hold its own referendum on splitting from Quebec.
The issue of a referendum has become a hot topic in the current election campaign for a province government. The leader of the party in power, the Parti Quebecois, refuses to say whether or not she would hold a referendum should she win a majority and form a government.
The Mohawks of Akwesasne mostly speak English and Mohawk. They are concerned that if Quebec separated they would have to speak and work in French and that there would be other changes.
Chief Brian David represents a portion of the territory. He says the Mohawks would negotiate with Quebec if a referendum were called, but would not consider themselves bound by its results.
“Akwesasne was here before Quebec. Quebec didn’t create Akwesasne…, said David. “This is not a municipality, this is a first nation with a territory that’s belonged to the Mohawk nation since time immemorial. We’ve been sitting on this land since long before the Europeans ever came.”
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