John Harding

John Harding (Sha ko hen tha) (b. ?, Mohawk) is a politician who was elected to the chiefs' council at Kanesatake (2001–2004), a Mohawk settlement in Quebec, Canada. During his period in office, he was part of organized opposition to Grand Chief James Gabriel in 2003–2004. In 2005, neither Harding nor Gabriel were re-elected as chiefs.

Early life and education 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.

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.