James Gabriel - Policing and Conflict

Policing and Conflict

In late 2003, Gabriel arranged with Canada's Indian Affairs Department for an emergency loan of $900,000 to the community's police force. Gabriel secretly hired aboriginal policemen as special forces for an anti-crime, drug raid. Opponents believed Gabriel intended to use these officers against the local cigarette dealers. (He informed his supporters on the band council about the planned actions, but not the three council members who opposed him.)

On January 12, 2004, Gabriel bypassed the Kanesatake Police Commission and led a force of 67 police officers to the local police station to take control. (The community's police chief, Tracy Cross, was not a supporter of Gabriel and opposed these actions). Many local residents resisted this effort, and a standoff resulted.

Gabriel's allies requested assistance from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). The police had been involved in the prolonged 78-day Oka standoff of 1990 and not been able to keep control. Fearing renewed violence, the provincial authorities refused to send in the SQ. They negotiated an agreement by which the private forces were given safe passage out of the community. On the same night, Gabriel's house was burned down. The grand chief sought safety in the neighbouring community of Laval.

Disputes continued through 2004 over the leadership of the Kanesatake police force. Gabriel's status in the community after the raid was a matter of controversy in 2004-05. Some believe he was legitimately removed as Grand Chief in January 2004, while others (in and out of the community) rejected this interpretation. In any event, Gabriel was defeated 375 votes to 344 by Steven Bonspille in the June 26, 2005 election. The six band council members elected alongside Bonspille were Gabriel supporters, leading to difficult governance.

In early June 2005 the Sûreté du Québec Command testified to their understanding that the tobacco/drug raid was intended to replace both Police Chief Cross and the Police Commission. The S.Q. and RCMP Command had both argued with Gabriel against conducting the raid. They testified that it was poorly planned and that Gabriel relied on dubious evidence in his decisionmaking.

Some aboriginal groups in Canada, including the powerful Assembly of First Nations, have openly sided with Gabriel in this dispute, as has the Parti Québécois. Gabriel's supporters believe that the provincial government capitulated to organized crime in early 2004. His opponents argue that his rule over the community was heavy-handed and arbitrary. They said his efforts to stop the cigarette trade were an intrusion into accepted community practices.