John Harding (Sha ko hen the tha)

John Harding (Sha ko hen tha - Mohawk name) was born to a Mohawk mother and into her Turtle clan. In the matrilineal kinship system, inheritance and property are passed through the maternal line. Harding's father is not Mohawk. Harding grew up in his mother's Mohawk culture and identifies as a traditionalist. ==Career==

Harding worked as a policeman in the settlement, where the self-governing Mohawk have some jurisdiction over certain crimes. He is strongly supportive of the Mohawk tradition of the council chiefs setting consensus for direction of the people. Continued confrontation over these issues resulted in violence. Gabriel's residence was burned in January 2004. He and his family left the reserve for their safety. Numerous protesters were prosecuted in the aftermath of the violence. Harding was a key figure in Gabriel's eventual removal as grand chief by the tribal council. He has denied Gabriel's claims that many of his opponents were part of a criminal class. Steven Bonspille was elected as grand chief that year. A slate of six Gabriel supporters was elected to the chiefs' council, and all were new members. ==Notes==