Hop on the Slaftrain
Joined: Feb. 2019
Posts: 16,176
Likes: 20,495
I'm not sure I want to bring politics in this thread once again, but this really doesn't sit well with me.
1. There's a popular belief that Montréal exists on unceded Mohawk lands that has grown in popularity over the last few years. The thing is, actual historians are still debating it. There are proofs that there were, in fact, indigenous people on the island (Hochelaga) at some point in history, but nothing says there were still on it at the time of the foundation in 1642, although those established in Kahnawake and Kanesatake are descendants of fishers and hunters in the nearby area. I understand the meaning of acknowledging lands, but the initiative started in the West Coast of the United States where the colonization/settlement is much more recent than the French coming in the Saint-Lawrence in the beginning of the 1600s.
2. In the wake of all that historical reconstruction and search of truth, the Molson family that own the Montréal Canadiens, built their empire that ranks them among the richest people in Canada today on the back of underpaid and exploited ethnic groups (Irish, French Canadians). They were part of the Château Clique, a group of wealthy families in the Lower Canada with the same ideas of economic development, religion and ethnic supremacy. The most prominent members were John Molson and James McGill, the latter being the founder of McGill University and known slave owner. They have never published any statements, apologies or whatever on it.
Just my two cents though, I don't like when people use history to their advantage just to please the public opinion.