Photograph of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School in Brantford, Ontario, Canada in 1932. Photo by Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

On June 18, we covered “The Real Battle Begins”, as Enbridge attempts to find passage of the permit process to build yet another pipeline across Canada’s pristine wilderness. One of the most noteworthy parts of this story is that Enbridge must make agreements with and concessions to Canada’s First Nation People, the native Canadians whose ancestors inhabited the land long before the arrival of European settlers.

There is a story here that few know, and which even more would like to see covered up forever. But what Occupy World Writes sees is an opportunity for both Canada and the First Nations People to reach a point of understanding and a path forward to be revealed. What are we talking about? The documented evidence of mass graves of innocent children being concealed – not just 100 years ago, but as recent as 40 years ago.

In late 2011, the oldest Indian residential school in Canada was turned back over to the Grand River Mohawk Nation, located near Brantford, Ontario. Children’s bones had been discovered on the school’s property in 1982 and again in 2008, but no one seemed too concerned about how or why the bones were there.

The Mohawk Institute was established in 1828 and was functioning up until the early 1970’s. During that time, the school experienced 3 fires that forced rebuilding. The original site of the building was moved following one of the fires, but the section of land that the Mohawk Institute occupies has always been inhabited by native peoples. The Canadian government made education of native children compulsory in 1894, bringing the school even more victims.

When the Mohawk Nation invited scientists and professional investigators to the site to excavate in 2011, they were shocked and horrified to discover the remains of  children who had died while enrolled as residents at the school. Between eye witness accounts, forensic evidence and recorded documents, there is clear evidence that the Canadian government, in alliance with the Crown of England and the Vatican, conspired with the Anglican Church of England to cover up the murder and genocide of over 50,000 of these native children across Canada.

There are those who, even to this day, will go to extremes to prevent this secret from seeing the light of day. The scientific teams have been threatened with violence, the excavation has been sabotaged at various stages and the government continues to attempt to thwart any attempts to learn truth.

Occupy World Writes believes that the investigation into the Mohawk Institute and all similar schools throughout Canada should be included in the conditions that must be met before passage allowing the latest pipeline can be built. Although we recognize the two are totally unrelated, what makes this crucial is that the disrespect and broken promises to the First Nations People that are consistent within the government are also present within Enbridge. These two bodies need to work together to come up with solutions and end the mistreatment of an honorable and majestic people.