Introduction
The purpose of this website is to inform you on the circumstances surrounding the publication of the French translation of the book At the Woods' Edge, which tells the story of the people of Kanehsatà:ke from the time of the arrival of the Europeens to the Americas until the present day. You will find on this site information on the media coverage surrounding the book launch, which took place July 11, 2010, during the Oka Crisis 20th anniversary commemoration activities in the community of Kanehsatà:ke, as well as on my journey of reconciliation with the Mohawk people.
My reason for translating the book
Prior to the Oka Crisis, I know very little about "Indians". The words "Native Peoples" and "First Nations" were not part of my vocabulary. But on July 11, 1990, a tragedy took place in Kanehsatà:ke. A gun battle erupted between the Sûreté du Québec (Provincial Police) and the Mohawks, during which my brother, Corporal Marcel Lemay, lost his life. The striking images shown by the media reinforced my negative perceptions of the events and did nothing to help me understand the true nature of the Mohawk claims.
Only fourteen years later, as I read the book At the Woods' Edge, did my view of things begin to change. Discovering the history of these people and the countless injustices they had faced and, later, getting to meet members of the community, led me down a path of inner healing and true reconciliation. The barricades that had been erected in my heart have been dismantled forever.
Without the right information, transformation cannot take place. By translating the book, I wanted to offer the francophone population a different perspective on the little known history of this courageous nation that is so deeply attached to its roots. The in-depth research done by the authors to find documents and archives to substantiate their writings will perhaps lead you, as they did me, to rethink some of your perceptions and perhaps let go of certain preconceived notions you may have acquired over time.
Francine Lemay
Only fourteen years later, as I read the book At the Woods' Edge, did my view of things begin to change. Discovering the history of these people and the countless injustices they had faced and, later, getting to meet members of the community, led me down a path of inner healing and true reconciliation. The barricades that had been erected in my heart have been dismantled forever.
Without the right information, transformation cannot take place. By translating the book, I wanted to offer the francophone population a different perspective on the little known history of this courageous nation that is so deeply attached to its roots. The in-depth research done by the authors to find documents and archives to substantiate their writings will perhaps lead you, as they did me, to rethink some of your perceptions and perhaps let go of certain preconceived notions you may have acquired over time.
Francine Lemay
