Military in Oka was surprisingly disciplined.

[Machjo]

I was just watching a video of the Oka Crisis (Crise d'Oka : la pinède s'enflamme | Les Archives de Radio-Canada) and learnt that there had in fact been punches exchanged between Mohawk Warriors and soldiers on one occasion, with over 60 soliders and Mohawks mildly injured, a fact I'd somehow missed in all these years since the Crisis. In spite of this, and with both sides fully armed, not one man was shot during that particular exchange, where real bloodshed was most likely to occur if at any point throughout that crisis.

I am quite critical of the Canadian military normally owing to my own personal experiences, but must say that the soldiers involved at Oka had shown remarkable restraint, respect, and courage under the circumstances, and remarkable skill too in maintaining a situation that could have been much bloodier, especially considering that they were essentially being sent in to clean up a mess the politicians had created.

I wasn't aware of the division between the 'Warriors' and 'traditionalists' until I'd watched this video. I'll have to look further into these terms and the differences of opinion between the two groups.

As for the vido, unfortunately it's more than 20 minuts long and in French, but there is a part of the punching scene near the end. I am impressed though at the restraint these soldiers had shown in not using their weapons and escalating the situation even though both sides were fully armed.

 

[gerryh]

The MWS arenothing more than a bunch of thugs..... easily compared to the hell's angels, in their use of illegal activities to fund themselves and heir strong arm tactics to promote their agenda.

 

[Machjo]

Surprisingly enough, the military had shown more respect in its treatment of the Mohawks than pretty well any other player in the Crisis, whether the police, the local mayor, or the locals who'd lapidated some Mohawks in their cars during evacuation.

 

[Machjo]

The MWS arenothing more than a bunch of thugs..... easily compared to the hell's angels, in their use of illegal activities to fund themselves and heir strong arm tactics to promote their agenda.

By WMS I'm assuming you mean Mohawk Warriors. To some degree I'd agree with you. Though I'm not so familiar with the meaning behind the terminology they were using when distinguishing between 'Warriors' and 'traditionalists', I'll assume they were referring to an equivalent roughly equal to our hawks and doves I suppose?