Two women traverse fallen pine trees, some still adorned with green needles, along a deep trench carved into the forest floor. Located nearly a kilometer away, this wooded area connects to the historical front lines of the 1990 Oka Crisis, also known as the siege of Kanehsatà :ke.
The trench, approximately three feet deep, extends from the rear of Big Chief’s Variety, a five-story cannabis superstore situated on Quebec’s Route 344 in Kanehsatà :ke, a Mohawk territory about 60 kilometers southwest of Montreal. According to Kawisaienhne Albany, 27, and Karihohetstha Cupples, 23, the trench and fallen trees are outcomes of recent construction activities by the owner of Big Chief’s Variety.
This construction surge, fueled by the profitable cannabis industry, is reshaping the community’s landscapes and exacerbating longstanding internal conflicts, as stated by the women. They express concerns that these cannabis establishments have brought about significant destruction to the area.
In 1990, the Canadian military besieged Kanehsatà :ke following community members’ efforts to halt a golf course expansion that would have destroyed an area known as The Pines and desecrated their burial ground. This led to a 78-day armed standoff after a failed police raid.
In the aftermath, Kanehsatà :ke struggled to establish a sustainable economy, with unresolved land claims and internal discord lingering. The legalization of cannabis in 2018 presented a new economic opportunity, resulting in a proliferation of cannabis shops along Route 344 in Kanehsatà :ke.
These cannabis megastores, ranging from small shacks to large establishments offering various products beyond marijuana, have drawn large crowds and outsiders to the community, sometimes overwhelming its modest population of 1,500 to 1,700 residents.
Local leaders, like Serge Simon, warn of impending disaster due to rapid and unregulated growth in the cannabis industry within Kanehsatà :ke. The lack of internal laws governing these megastores, which operate outside federal and provincial regulations, adds to the community’s challenges.
Environmental concerns have also arisen, with construction encroaching on Kanehsatà :ke’s shorelines along Lake of Two Mountains. Aerial footage presented in court implicates certain cannabis megastores in illegal soil dumping along the lakefront, prompting legal actions from the Quebec government.
Despite the economic benefits brought by the cannabis industry to some families in Kanehsatà :ke, internal conflicts and governance issues persist, hindering effective regulation and sustainable development. The community remains in a state of political uncertainty following a recently canceled election.
Candidates vying for the position of grand chief emphasize the need for community consensus to address the challenges posed by the uncontrolled expansion of the cannabis industry. Concerns over organized crime infiltration and environmental degradation further complicate the situation, requiring immediate attention and concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
As Cupples and Albany grapple with the adverse impacts of the cannabis boom on their community, they express their reliance on ancestral protection and resilience to navigate the current challenges, echoing the spirit of unity and resistance witnessed during the Oka Crisis.