On March 2, about 80 Mohawks set up a blockade on Shannonville road and made themselves comfortable. There was a teepee, a bonfire, and plenty of food. They were there to call attention to the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women. I got the chance to speak to some protesters and get their side of the story.
When I first got to the site, a couple of my colleagues were just packing up to head home. When I asked them why they were leaving, the two young women said that their experience with the Mohawk men had not been pleasant.
Not really understanding, I proceeded to the edge of the blockade. I stopped just shy of the barrier and introduced myself to two men that were standing there. I shook their hands, explained who I was, and they escorted me over to the crowd.
They made jokes and seemed relatively light hearted, given the situation they were in. It wasn’t until another reporter came over that I realized why my colleagues had trouble. This other reporter walked right past the man standing at the barricade and strolled right over beside the fire and tried to talk to a young man standing with his dad. The dad, clearly on of the oldest men on the site, put his hands up and asked this reporter to leave. He wasn’t rude, but was very matter-of-factly telling him that he was not welcome.
It is about respect. The reporter acted as though he owned the land and he could do whatever he wanted. When I approached, I asked permission to come to their side of the barrier. Indigenous people are very passionate. When they find something to fight for, they will do so with very proud hearts.
Because I was respectful and didn’t just barge into their lives, they returned the courtesy. They welcomed me and were open to talking with me. And the next day when I came back, I behaved the same way, and so did they. They remembered me and I was escorted right to Shawn Brant, their unofficial leader.
I thought before I acted. It just took an extra three seconds to think “hey, the are in a stand off with like 10 OPP officers, maybe I should ease myself into this situation.”
It definitely paid off.
Here’s a radio package I did for 91X.
Morgan Davy 