Background
The 1700-member community began holding elections for tribal office in 1991, following the Oka Crisis. A number of issues have increased political competition in the community.
Gabriel promoted opposition to drug trafficking and organized crime in Kanesatake. In his campaign against these, critics suggest he and supporters unjustly branded several community members as criminals. Gabriel agreed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that the community's tobacco stores (in which cigarettes of disputed origin were sold tax-free to non-natives) should be removed. With strong disagreement over this decision by other council and community members, a protracted dispute ensued which eventually involved both the provincial and federal authorities.
In a 2001 referendum, 61% of Kanesatake voters approved removal of Gabriel from office. He kept his position following his victory in a court appeal. The reasons for Gabriel's unpopularity in this period are disputed. His supporters in 2003-04 claim that he lost popularity by not adequately confronting organized crime, while his opponents claim his unpopularity resulted from his promotion of bill S-24 (see below)m which changed conditions for the settlement in relation to other levels of government.
Read more about this topic: James Gabriel
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