Archaeological digs to take place at old Royal Vic site after Kanien'kehá:ka elders strike deal
CBC
The Kanien'kehá:ka elders known as the Mohawk Mothers have reached a deal with the province to ensure archaeological excavations will take place on the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, where there are believed to be unmarked graves of Indigenous people, including children.
"This is absolutely a first in Canada for setting a precedent for how Indigenous people can work with the oppressor," said Julian Falconer, the lawyer for Canada's special interlocutor on missing children and unmarked graves.
Thursday, the Superior Court of Quebec ratified an agreement signed between the Kanien'kehá:ka kahnistensera, the City of Montreal, McGill University and the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI), which is responsible for the revitalization of the site.
McGill University aims to develop the old Royal Vic, which is owned by the province. But for years, the Kanien'kehá:ka mothers have been in court battling to halt excavation.
They have argued there may be unmarked graves on or near the site, following CIA-funded brainwashing experiments in the 1950s and 1960s.
They said the site may also house archeological remains from the first pre-colonial Iroquois village.
The group filed a civil suit in March demanding the suspension of McGill University's redevelopment plans for part of the former hospital.
After two days of hearings in late October, a Quebec Superior Court judge issued an oral decision in the group's favour, granting the emergency, temporary injunction they requested.
On Thursday, that deal was made official in court.
"For us, it's a big step and it says that Indigenous law works," said Kwetiio, one of the mothers.
"This is snapshot of what can be used — it's a process that can be used to help other people."
Kwetiio said other grounds like the Royal Vic need similar action. Now there is a legal avenue to take to fight against developing and excavating unmarked graves, she said. This victory shows that it is possible to win these cases and she hopes it inspires others to do the same.
And if other groups do launch similar fights, she said the mothers will be there to help.
"We do it on our own as a people," Kwetiio said. "And the way we work, we don't just help ourselves. We help everybody."
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