The Globe and Mail, Friday, September 28, 1990 "MOHAWK WARRIORS' UNOFFICIAL LEADER ELUDED ARMY NET" 'Quebec police seek Thompson' by Andre Picard, Patricia Poirier & Geoffrey York MONTREAL - Loran Thompson, the unofficial leader of the Mohawk Warriors, slipped through the fingers of the military and police in the confusion that marked the end of the 77-day Oka siege. As many as three other people who had been holed up in the Kanesatake drug and alcohol treatment centre since Sept.1 may also have escaped capture, said Major Richard Larouche, an army spokesman. Mr. Thompson, clutching a baby in his arms, was one of the first people to leave the encampment on Wednesday night. He strolled down the highway into the village of Oka and disappeared. Constable Richard Bourdon of the Quebec provincial police said Mr. Thompson was "not in custody" and no warrant had yet been issued for his arrest. "First, we're going to deal with the people we have, then worry about him." However, a later report said the police were actively seeking Mr. Thompson. Mohawks were ecstatic at the news of his escape. "That's fantastic," said Mike Myers, a Mohawk negotiator. "It's great that he got away from all the terrorism and harassment from the army and the police." Major Larouche said "no more than a handful" of Mohawks escaped from the army and the police. The army had surrounded the Mohawks with 400 soldiers, several barriers of razor wire, and dozens of helicopters and armoured personnel carriers. However, Major Larouche denied that the army had botched the job of capturing the Warriors. After they laid down their arms, the Warriors and their supporters walked out of the woods. When soldiers tried to apprehend them, the situation quickly degenerated into chaos and violence. Most of the Mohawks - 21 men and 14 women - are being held at a military base in Farnham, Que. Five children were released yesterday morning, and two men were released in the afternoon. The men were Bob Antone, an Oneida chief who negotiated for the Warriors, and Bruce Elijah, an Oneida medicine man who conducted spiritual ceremonies for them. Neither faces any criminal charges. Mr. Antone said morale of the Mohawks warriors is good, although they are extremely tired after being questioned all night by the army and the Quebec police. After the Mohawks were taken to the Farnham military base, the Quebec police began questioning them at 4 a.m. yesterday, Mr. Antone said. The police are trying to find evidence for a murder charge against at least one of the Mohawks in connection with the death of Corporal Marcel Lemay, shot during a July 11 gunfight as police moved in to try to dismantle a roadblock mounted by the Mohawks of Kanesatake to protest against the planned expansion of a golf course. Montreal Urban Community police officers, who are investigating the death of Cpl. Lemay, were also in Kanesatake. John Dalzell, public relations director of the MUC, said the "investigation is very difficult because the scene of the crime has been overrun." Eleven Mohawks appeared in provincial court in St.Jerome yesterday. Marc David, a lawyer for the Mohawks, said the Warriors are being charged with offences such as rioting, obstruction of a peace officer, wearing a disguise, and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes. The seven men and four women all pleaded not guilty and elected trial by judge and jury. All seven men were remanded in custody until bail hearings scheduled for Oct.1 and 2. The women were released. Four lawyers representing the natives asked Judge Stephen Cuddihy to release the Warriors into the custody of the army but Judge Cuddihy replied that he did not have the authority to decide that. One of the Warriors, Ronald (Lasagna) Cross, 32, appeared in court with his face badly puffed up, his right cheek black and blue, and a large bruise over his right eye which was almost closed. The other Warriors appeared impassive, in good condition and alert. "Lasagna went through a very rough time when he was picked up by police last night," said Richard Parras, one of the lawyers acting for the Mohawks. "He had been subjected to some physical abuse." The 35 Mohawks at the military base are expected to appear in court today. Yesterday, police officers searched the treatment centre but found very little. Before leaving the encampment, the holdouts threw most of their weapons, electronic equipment and papers into a huge bonfire. Members of the SQ tactical unit sifted through the ashes to retrieve the remains. One of the Mohawk men was taken to hospital yesterday for X-rays of an injured hand. Others were examined by military doctors. But the Mohawks want their own doctors to examine the Warriors, saying they do not trust the army's doctors. Family members were permitted to visit the Mohawks at the military base yesterday afternoon. Premier Robert Bourassa said yesterday that Canadian Forces troops will stay in Kanesatake and Kahnawake until law and order is restored, but it is unclear what that means. Captain Carol Lefrancois, a spokesman for the Department of National Defence, said his understanding is that troops will go home on Monday. There are still 2,700 soldiers deployed in the two locations, down from the 4,400 at the height of the crisis. ************************************************************************ For more information contact web:car by e-mail or in writing Aboriginal Rights Support Group Committee Against Racism P.O. Box 3085, Station B Calgary, Alberta T2M 4L6