Six Nations Elected Council takes new path on land rights
May 2010
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=11431#p11431
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Six Miles Deep - A documentary -
a First Nations perspective
of the Caledonia clash over Six Nations land rights in Ontario
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=11416#p11416
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Money is not the answer - Six Nations land rights update
January 2010
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=10888#p10888
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Unions and "allies" rally and march to show solidarity with Six Nations land rights
November 2009
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=10674#p10674
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PERSPECTIVE
Six Nations councillor speaks out.
viewtopic.php?p=10331#p10331
July 2009
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Despite Six Nations court action, Canada says it will stay at negotiations table to deal with land rights(claims)
July 9th, 2009
viewtopic.php?p=10302#p10302
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Vigilante Action Against Six Nations
June 23rd, 2009
viewtopic.php?p=10256#p10256
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Superior Court judge rules against Six Nations land rights protestors
and Haudenosaunee Men's Fire . . .
April 4, 2009
viewtopic.php?p=10140#p10140
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Six Nations land rights negotiations progressing, but new questions and challenges are evident too
January 28, 2008
viewtopic.php?p=8974#p8974
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$26 Million Six Nations land claim negotiations breakthrough
December 12, 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8826#p8826
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Caledonia confrontation - Natives and non-natives face criminal charges
December 7, 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8807#p8807
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Historic decision
Court recognized Haudenosaunee law and culture, in conditions of bail
October 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8693#p8693
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Politics / Violence / Negotiations / Confederacy Progress
Hazel Hill's Update
September 25th , 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8602#p8602
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New Development Protest Site Attracts Attention / Tension - Then Violence
September 15th , 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8673#p8573
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The $125 Million Offer
Hazel Hill's Update
June 4, 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8320#p8320
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As Commissioner Sidney Linden released the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry he said, "Ipperwash is important because it helps us to understand the roots and dynamics of an Aboriginal occupation.
The Aboriginal occupation at Caledonia proves that Ipperwash was not an isolated event.
Understanding Ipperwash can help us to understand how to prevent Aboriginal occupations and protests in the first place, or how to reduce the risk of violence, if they do occur."
May 31, 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8308#p8308
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Pissed off Cops and Robbers(of the land)
Kanehstanton update
April 15, 2007
viewtopic.php?p=8193#p8193
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February 28, 2007 - the Anniversary of the Land Reclamation Action . . .
viewtopic.php?p=8032#p8032
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Six Nations traditional chiefs return to their council house
January 1, 2007
http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article ... 4694/1/32/
Six Nations people are healing, but Caledonia residents and their supporters are stewing in their nasty juices . . .
December 31, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=7886#p7886
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PERSPECTIVE
Digging in for the Winter
Brantford Expositor November 18, 2006
(audio report) http://www.turtleisland.org/audio/6nshuns06a.mp4
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Chiefs Presentations Counter Canada's Version of History
Negotiations Update by Hazel Hill
November 16th, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=7736#p7736
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PERSPECTIVE
As a Matter of Fact - Mohawk History Speaks for Itself
November 6, 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7691#p7691
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PERSPECTIVE
Ontario cops "go political"
Poll results create issue of a deadline
October 22, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=7623#p7623
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PERSPECTIVE
Why Canadians Should Support Six Nations
October 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7487#p7487
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Opposition Leader continues to stir it up at caledonia
August 27, 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7367#p7367
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Important negotiations resume
August 23, 2006. . . viewtopic.php?p=7360#p7360
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Despite politics, legal judgments, antagonism and flair ups of tension at the Six Nations land reclamation site, peace survives and youth receive cultural training in the Haudenosaunee traditions
August 11, 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7328#p7328
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Ontario launches an appeal of Superior Court ruling ordering a halt to Six Nations negotiations . . .
August 8, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=7323#p7323
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Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario negotiations evolve into new phase - side tables will address specific issues
July 27, 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7266#p7266
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PERSPECTIVE
First Nations Want Justice for Land Thefts
Richard Powless
July 15, 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7223#p7223
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Update from the Six Nations Land Reclamation Site
Hazel Hill says she has been reflecting on the past and learning from the past
July 12, 2006. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7224#p7224
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July 11, 2006
First Nations publicly support beleaguered Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police for her handling of the Caledonia crisis. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7207#p7207
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July 1, 2006
Six Nations message of peace from Hazel Hill and her update from KANENHSTATON land reclamation site. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7164#p7164
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Hazel Hill June 23, 2006 Update from Kanehstanton, Six Nations land reclamation site near Caledonia, Ontario. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7133#p7133
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Progress at Main Table Discussions
TORONTO, June 22, 2006
The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Main Negotiation Table has continued its progress towards a peaceful resolution of outstanding issues among the parties with meetings held on June 21 and 22, 2006.
Confirming what has already been taking place, all parties agreed to
conduct negotiations based on principles of Mutual Respect, Peace and
Friendship. All parties have agreed to a basic framework for an implementation strategy, including work on relationships among the parties, land issues, and addressing local tensions.
Discussions are underway to meet some of the specific requests of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations including the repair of an arena floor used by the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations. Where necessary, specialized working groups will be established to deal with other related issues that are agreed to by the parties.
Ongoing discussions will continue among the parties at the Main Negotiation Table with the next planned meeting for June 29, 2006.
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$12.3 Million
June 22, 2006
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty confirmed that the province will pay more than twelve million dollars for the disputed Six Nations land in Caledonia.
viewtopic.php?p=7129#p7129
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ARRESTED!
June 21, 2006
A 47 year old Six Nations resident of Ohsweken was arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police in connection with an incident in Caledonia on June 4, 2006. Ken Hill faces two counts of Assault related to an incident involving an alleged confrontation between the so-called 'occupiers' and Caledonia citizens near a barricade at the end of Braemar Ave. Hill is one of seven suspects named in warrants issued by the police related to violence earlier this month near the Six Nations land reclamation site.
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Progress!
June 18, 2006
There is proof positive that the Six Nations Confederacy has successfuly negotiated immediate real benefits from their land rights talks with Ontario and Canada. 240 acres of land of the old Burch correctional institute have been seeded with soybeans. The land is among the items negotiated as a result of the recent land reclamation protest. In other developments, the Confederacy reported that they were successful in having former premier David Peterson removed as a provincial negotiator because they couldn't trust him to keep his promises. As for the disputed land near Caledonia. The province purchased the Douglas Creek Estates from the developers and the land now is in trust as the negotiations continue with Six Nations leaders.
SUPPORT!
June 17, 2006
The Six Nations benefit concert was a huge success. The peaceful gathering attracted thousands of fans from far and wide who were entertained by several dozen performers.
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June 15, 2006
First Nations and the Law!
The Fundamental Issue Here is Land Claims . . .
viewtopic.php?p=7086#p7086
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June 13, 2006
Remaining Barricades Come Down!
viewtopic.php?p=7079#p7079
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June 12, 2006
Violence condemned by Six Nations Confederacy, Ontario and Canadian Ministers of Aboriginal Relations and Indian Affairs. . .
viewtopic.php?p=7073#p7073
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Peace Shattered by police "mistake" . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
June 5, 2006
It was a sleepless night for Natives and local residents thanks to the wailing sirens. A shaky peace has returned to the Six Nations land reclamation site in Caledonia, Ontario after an overnight clash - a brief but scary one.
The CBC reported the trouble was sparked when two Ontario Provincial Police officers drove into an area Six Nations protestors had declared off-limits. Natives and non-natives swarmed the area and the police had to keep them apart. But not before the crowd caused trouble, forcing the police to block Argyle street to contain the situation and prevent it from getting worse. One report said a car was torched and there were several assaults.
On the political front, the opposition Conservatives in Ontario are demanding a public inquiry into the province's handling or more specifically mis-handling of the Caledonia crisis. There is a scheduled debate on the matter in the Ontario Legislature. Conservative leader John Tory blames the McGuinty government for lack of substantial progress in addressing the situation, something he said is the responsibility of both the provincial and federal governments.
Meanwhile, back at the reclamation site, it is being reported the O.P.P. officers did not deliberately break the peace, but were new on patrol and didn't realize they had crossed into a so-called prohibited zone. The latest incident has sparked a new round of demands by local residents for the military to be called in to deal with the protestors.
One question posted on a local electronic community bulletin board asked, "How does a peaceful protest translate into surrounding a police car, a car fire and 2 assaults?"
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Press Release :
For Immediate Release
June 4, 2006
Six Nations people keep the peace despite OPP tactics
KANENHSTATON, GRAND RIVER TERRITORY OF THE SIX NATIONS- Six Nations Haudenosaunee, in an effort to support continued peaceful negotiations, averted a major altercation between OPP, Caledonia residents and the Haudenosaunee Sunday night, that had been sparked by an Ontario Provincial Police incident, unrelated to the reclamation site.
At about 8 p.m. Sunday night, an OPP cruiser was found on 6th Line near Cayuga Road. The cruiser had apparently been following a car down 6th LIne when it was spotted by Six Nations people who surrounded the cruiser. Six Nations police were called to the scene. Two OPP officers were found inside the cruiser with a female constable telling Six Nations people, from the neighbourhood, she was “lost.”
The two officers and the cruiser were released to OPP after Six Nations Police charged the officers with trespassing. Six Nations Police and OPP have a mutual aid agreement. However, OPP are required to seek permission to enter Six Nations territory. That did not happen in this incident .
The OPPincident led to a standoff on Argyle Street, between Haudenosaunee and Caledonia people who had once again gathered blocking Argyle Street behind an OPPline. The Caledonia residents carried placards and signs reading “Bring in the Army.” The stand off continued until about 11 p.m. when Six Nations people, again, moved back onto the reclamation site, leaving the Caledonia crowd blocking the roadway.
“There were concerns that a barricade may go back up, but we want to make it clear, that the incident involving the OPP officer had nothing to do with the reclamation site,” said reclamation site spokeswoman, Hazel Hill.
“The people at the reclamation site fully support our negotiating team and efforts to reach a peaceful resolution that will see the reclamation lands returned to the Haudenosaunee.”
For further information, contact:
Spokeswoman
Hazel Hill
(519)865-7723
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Background
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
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Negotiations resume as peace returns to Six Nations Caledonia protest site
Read Hazel Hill's Personal Accounts from the Land Reclamation Site . . .
May 28, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=7046#p7046
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News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
March 24, 2006
Traffic is moving, non-native residents of Caledonia have moved on, and land rights talks continue without the distractions from, and concerns about violence.
The Six Nations land reclamation site remains, but barricades are gone that previously prevented main road access.
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May 23, 2006 - Six Nations leaders and the land rights protestors have repeatedly said peace was their priority and they would make every effort to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Today they proved their point again, through good will, when they began dismantling their barricade, for the second day.
When a Confederacy Chief presented a branch from the traditional 'Tree of Peace' (in fact this one was a lilac branch), it was graciously accepted by one of the local residents who then presented it to the gathering of non-natives, calling on them to dismantle their own barricade to respect the good will shown by the Six Nations people. It was an answer to the many prayers for peace.
The calm came after the storm, but the tension remained for awhile. An eruption of violence Monday at the site of a Six Nations land rights protest was sparked by non-native protestors. They established a barricade down the road from where Natives dismantled their barricades as a show of good will. The non-natives confronted the Natives and all hell broke loose. Scuffles, fist fights, verbal abuse from both sides of the conflict. When the locals refused to go home, the Six Nations people put their barricade back up again and dug in their heels.
A large police presence was established to put a lid on the violence. A state of emergency was declared by Haldimand County after electricity stopped flowing into the area, when a car was deliberately driven into a hydro tower.
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Statement by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine on the Ongoing Situation at Six Nations-Caledonia
OTTAWA, May 23, 2006
"As National Chief, I am joined by my fellow Regional Chiefs in calling for calm from all parties in the ongoing situation at the Six Nations-Caledonia site. We are encouraged by media reports that the barricades have been taken down willingly by the citizens of Six Nations. We applaud their patience and their commitment, and we encourage all parties to continue to work together towards a peaceful resolution. We believe that these discussions represent the best way forward. The need for negotiation and reconciliation could not be more acute. We do not want to see any actions that will cause tensions to increase in the community.
The federal government must show leadership to resolve this issue because any issues relating to First Nations lands are issues between First Nations and the federal government. The federal government must ensure that the discussions continue.
As well, there is a need to immediately address the underlying problems
that create these kinds of situations, and that means over-hauling the current land claims process. Under the current process, Canada acts as judge and jury in claims against itself. There are approximately 1000 specific claims before Canada, 300 of which have been validated and must work their way through the claims process. Yet it takes on average ten years to resolve a legitimate, specific claim. This is much too long. Last week's report by the Auditor General of Canada noted that six comprehensive claims agreements have been concluded since 2001, and it has taken on average 29 years to finalize these claims. This is unacceptable.
This is an agonizingly slow pace for First Nations, for whom land is
central to our cultures and our economies. It creates frustration and anger on the ground and can erode trust.
Canada must work on an new approach that is faster, more fair, and just
to resolve the legitimate claims of First Nations. The United Nations
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concluded its 36th session this weekend and called on Canada to, among other things, 're-examine its policies and practices towards the inherent rights and title of Aboriginal peoples, to ensure that policies and practices do not result in extinguishment of those rights and titles.' We wholeheartedly agree with this recommendation. Work has already been done by the AFN and government on a better approach to claims, and this work needs to be re-invigorated and implemented.
The AFN is determined to do what we can to help resolve the situation and we are willing to assist in any way that may be helpful. There is a need to make real progress on this specific situation as well as the overall issues
related to First Nations claims to avoid further escalation."
Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Assembly of First Nations
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May 22, 2006 - Shocking display of rowdy-boy behaviour by non-natives sparked a new conflict at Douglas Creek Estates. . . Native protestors did what they said they would - they removed the barricades in the morning. But their efforts to bring it all to a peaceful end, were thwarted by troublemakers from the local community of Caledonia.
The fact it was a long weekend seemed to provide an opportunity for gawkers and rowdies - non-native protestors gathered and set up their own blockade, and that triggered tension, followed by violence - pushing shoving, a few fist fights, and then dozens of police officers were forced to come between the groups.
Six Nations protestors and supporters re-established the barricades because of the confrontational situation that erupted as a result of the non-native action.
It started off as a day that promised peaceful resolution, but it ended in a way that was unforeseen - tension filled the air, fueled by anger, frustration and disappointment. A Six Nations goodwill gesture was quashed, by the shortsighted provocative actions of local non-native community members.
Premier Dalton McGuinty issued a statement, "I want to join with people across Ontario in calling for calm and goodwill in Caledonia. The confrontation we saw today has no place in our society - and it does nothing to help resolve this difficult situation. I want to commend the Ontario Provincial Police for their outstanding professionalism in restoring order to a very tough situation.
Over the past several weeks, all parties made progress in building trust and mutual respect. Today's events were an unhelpful setback.
However, we must continue working to find common ground and move forward in a peaceful environment. Our government is committed to working alongside the federal government, local officials and First Nation representatives to ensure that we find a lasting solution that allows all parties to renew their shared commitment to building a strong community".
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Here is an update from Hazel Hill of Six Nations on the scene . . .
May 23, 2006
Good Morning from Grand River
Well, by now everyone has heard how our show of good faith was met. Yesterday morning by 6:00 a.m. the main barricade on Plank Road (Argyle Street) was removed and the road was completely open ready for use.
It wasn't met with good faith however, on the part of Caledonia residents, or at least those claiming to represent Caledonia. Their human barricade refused to budge and at one point, surrounded an elderly couple who were attempting to come through. The O.P.P. stood by and watched as the angry crowd refused to let our people through and when spokesman Clyde Powless and spokeswoman Janie Jamieson tried to go up and talk to the opp to get them to help our people through the line, they were surrounded by the angry caledonia representatives and shoving and pushing began. we were told that the vehicle that our elders were in had windows smashed, however, the opp said that no damage was done to the car.
It was unclear at that point as to why the Caledonia citizens did not meet our efforts of good faith, but later in an interview, Ken Hewitt, representing the Caledonia Citizens Alliance stated that they were not satifsfied with the fact that only one of our barricades were taken down and that they wanted all of the barricades down and they wanted the Onkwehonweh people off the land that we've re-claimed. Obviously David Peterson and the Town of Haldimand didn't inform the caledonia residents of the nature of the negotiations and the process that was being followed.
Our press release of early yesterday morning with Chief Allen McNaughton and other representatives of the Confederacy Council stated the status of the negotiations and that as agreed, the main road into Caledonia was being opened up as a show of good faith.
Later on that morning there was statements made by some of those on the Caledonia side of things that they wanted to march down argyle street to the site of the land reclaimation. This was exactly the concern of the Onkwehonweh people in their hesitation at wanting to open up the road in the first place.
The intention of our people to keep the peace and opening the road was being met with anger and threats to our safety. Needless to say, because the O.P.P. were unable to convince those representing Caledonia to disassemble their human blockade and go home and allow us to proceed as planned with the peaceful negotiations, the barricades were put back up.
At one point, one of the elders of our people had offered a symbolic gesture to let them know that we still are upholding the peace and that they must choose which direction they wanted to proceed, but he was met with hollering and insults from the non-native protesters.
I must add as well that in speaking with the O.P.P., they had mentioned that many many Caledonia residents were deeply disappointed in the people who were instigating the people on their side, and that many believe that those present who were causing the disruption, were not residents of Caledonia and that they were outsiders who's main intent was to instigate trouble. and that they did. they were given a time frame to dismantle their people and allow the Onkwehonweh to continue with our offering of opening the road, and when they refused to move, at the end of that time frame, the concensus of the people was to dig the road up and a backhoe was brought in to begin that process.
Again, the O.P.P. asked for more time to persuade their people to go home, and the digging stopped but their people refused to move. At one point in the afternoon some of the non-native protesters began trying to come around the side of the opp and rush toward our people. The men and women stood in defense of our position and at least 30 of our people were pepper sprayed, a couple of our people were taken to the hospital, and several of the Caledonia people were hurt in the scuffle.
Again, we were able to bring our people back to refrain from any further escalations of violence, however, the mood at this point was indeed tense.
By evening there were anywhere from 250 to 300 caledonia citizens in their human blockade and most of the people of Six Nations had gathered in solidarity behind our barricade. The O.P.P. had called in extra support from all over the surrounding areas, and at one point the riot squad had gathered in hopes of getting the caledonia people to go home.
No action was taken by the O.P.P. or riot squad, and by around 2:30 this morning, most of the residents from the Caledonia blockade had retreated.
As of this morning at around 7:00 am., the barricade on the plank road is still there, and the people are considering now if another show of good faith will result in the same situation or worse, or whether we should once again, attempt to remove the barricades to allow the traffic to move freely through and allow our delegates to continue with the peaceful negotiations that were scheduled to continue this week.
We need our supporters to understand that we are continuing with our peaceful position, that we are unarmed, and intend to maintain that positon of Peace, on our Land, and trust in our People, in our Kaierenekowah--the Great Law, and in our Creator and the process that was given to us to resolve this situation to the best of our ability.
We appreciate all of the phone calls and e-mails, and I apologize if I am unable to respond to each of your e-mails individually, but at this moment, we are working diligently to ensure the safety of our people at the site, and will keep everyone posted and updated as quickly as possible.
The solidarity of the Onkwehonweh people is the most important factor in this situation and we appreciate all of those who are standing by to support in any way that is necessary if the Crown's representatives fail to keep the negotiations proceeding toward a peaceful resolution.
Hazel
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News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 22, 2006
Native protestors did what they said they would - they removed the barricades this morning. But their efforts to bring it all to a peaceful end, was thwarted by troublemakers from the local community of Caledonia.
Non-native protestors gathered this morning and set up their own blockade and that triggered tension, followed by violence - a few fist fights, and then dozens of police officers were forced to come between the groups.
Six Nations protestors and supporters re-established the barricades because of the confrontational situation that erupted as a result of the non-native action.
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May 20, 2006
Canadians call it the Victoria Day holiday weekend. But at Six Nations it is known as independence Day or Bread and Cheese Day - a celebration of the historic nation-to-nation respectful relationship between Six Nations and the Queen.
Despite the heavyness of recent events over land rights and a protest at Caledonia, the Six Nations will be celebrating with bread and cheese - a recognition of their historic treaty of alliance with the British Crown. It is a timely reminder to the Crown, a.k.a. the Government of Canada and the province of Ontario.
Land rights talks continue next week.
Negotiations involving the Six Nations Confederacy, Canada and Ontario, have produced an environment of optimism.
"There is progress and maturity," in the Six Nations land rights dispute, according to Chief Allen MacNaughton.
Chief MacNaughton, Cayuga Sub-Chief Leroy Hill and David Peterson representing Ontario are the negotiators who are trying to ease current tensions over a land rights dispute in Caledonia. Chief MacNaughton says he's very pleased that protestors are gradually disengaging at the site. In fact, they have shown great responsibility in ensuring that emergency vehicles as well as local traffic have been able to pass through the area with ease. Protesters have removed some of the items that form their blockage, such as rock piles. Encampments, including the cookhouse and other facilities have been moved farther off the road and onto the disputed lands.
"All this means that the protesters have taken the high road in showing that public safety is paramount, but they haven't backed off their position at all. Their actions reflect what was discussed at the bargaining table and bodes well for the future," says Chief MacNaughton.
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Progress at land rights talks
May 17, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=6969#p6969
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From Marches to Music - Support Continues for Six Nations Land Rights
May 10, 2006 . . .
viewtopic.php?p=6936#p6936
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Negotiation Updates
http://www.reclamationinfo.com/negotiat ... ations.php
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Local Residents Protest Against the Protestors . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 29, 2006
There was a another demonstration by non-natives in Caledonia Friday night. However, it was peaceful compared to one earlier in the week that saw a confrontation with police, and one arrest. Friday night's gathering involved an estimated 500 people who demanded an end to the Six Nations encampment on the site of a residential housing development.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has agreed to compensate the developer Henco, and has appointed former Premier David peterson to try to help resolve the current dispute.
PHOTOS and VIDEOS
http://auto_sol.tao.ca/node/view/2012
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Darlene Okemaysim, Cree Nation passed on information from the Solidarity March and Rally in Saskatoon to support Six Nations people.
"We ended up with alot of police escort on bikes, motorcycles, minivans, and police cars. Our route brought us by hundreds of vehicles during Friday rush hour. It was quite peaceful and we were happy with the turn-out despite only 5 days rush on planning, pretty good I say! . . .Thank you to those speakers who we wanted to show respect and honor to the people from the Six Nations territory who reside with us in Saskatchewan - Tamara Starblanket, Curtis Ahenakew, Colleen Thomas, Peter Garden, Ethel Ahenakew, Denis Hall, Trish Monture, Martin Cannon, Darlene Okemaysim, Maggie King, Teah from Shell Lake, Justin Monture, and others".
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Six Nations Land Rights are Human Rights
April 27, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=6875#p6875
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BACKGROUND
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
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Standing together for a Common Cause - Support for Six Nations
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 26, 2006
Negotiations are scheduled to resume today between Six Nations, provincial and federal officials. Meanwhile, Native Peoples solidarity with Six Nations land rights continues.
There was a colourful, peaceful, vocal rally . . . and then a march along the downtown streets of Vancouver, as dozens of Aboriginal people and supporters paraded, and tied up traffic to the Lions Gate Bridge, to demonstrate their feelings about the protest at the Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia, Ontario.
A report by Mohawk Nation News said more than 800 native and non-native people rallied in support of the Six Nations people in front of the Art Gallery in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday. A hereditary chief of the Squamish/Salish Nation, Ian Campbell, opened the rally. He spoke in Salish and explained, "Integrity means a lot to us. We think the Canadian government bureaucrats should learn our language so that they can speak the truth again".
There was singing, drumming and traditional dances. Then they marched with giant warrior flags, wearing red shirts and red arm bands to downtown Vancouver and then to Stanley Park. Several hundred walked onto the First Narrows/ Lions Gate Bridge and blocked it for a short time. They wanted to make a point.
It was a big rally considering that it was organized within 2 days.
Earlier in the day in Caledonia, tensions were sparked again at the protest site as a local official put her foot in her mouth when she talked about the hardship for non-natives and how they do not have a regular monthly pay cheque. Native protestors were outraged at the suggestion that seemed to speak of Indians on welfare.
Tempers had been raised already because of a mass rally by non-natives in Caledonia, some who showed up looking for trouble at the protest site. Police prevented them from getting too close to Natives, and one non-native youth was arrested in the Monday night action.
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Here are links to the numbers of specific claims in Canada . . .
Mini Summary by Province
Specific Claims Branch, Indian Affairs
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/clm/msp_e.html
National Mini Summary
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/clm/nms_e.html
( This is a link to a .pdf file )
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Local mayor makes blunder that sparked new concerns in Caledonia after a night of NON-native protesting and scuffle with police.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national ... 60425.html
Nationwide Native Support for Six Nations . . . Police promise no further assault on protest site as political processes are in place . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 25, 2006
"This is a time for all First Nations to stand together." With that key message in mind, the urban Aboriginal community in Vancouver, BC feels a strong attachment to the fight going on at Six Nations in Caledonia, Ontario. So much so, that a rally is planned today ( Tuesday).
More than a hundred concerned members of the Vancouver Native community met at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on Saturday, to show solidarity with the Six Nations in Caledonia.
Vice President of the United Native Nations David Dennis from the Nuu Chah Nulth, formerly of the West Coast Warriors stated, "As a collective, we decided that in order to ensure the safety for the Six Nations women, children and families, we will have a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, April 25th, 2006 at 12:30 pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery. We will unite with our brothers and sisters all across Turtle Island".
Organizer Annita McPhee from the Tahltan Nation further stated, "We want to send a clear message to the federal and provincial governments that they must stop criminalizing our people who are standing up for our land and against injustices that been brought upon by the colonizers. Canada must stop using guns to resolve its disputes with the indigenous people".
This rally in Vancouver is intended to serve as a deterrence to prevent any further police escalation against the Six Nations. "We stand in support of the demands of the clan mothers for an immediate cessation of construction by Henco Industries on Six Nations territory which has never been surrendered and was formally recognized by the Crown as part of the 1784 Haldimand Deed and for peaceful resolution to the current standoff to be conducted on a nation-to-nation basis."
Six Nations Clan Mothers and protestors at the land rights site near Caledonia, Ontario received direct assurances Monday from the Ontario Provincial Police that they have no intention of taking additional action against them. The OPP deputy commissioner met with them and delivered the assuring message. Meanwhile, local non-native residents planned a rally in Caledonia to demand more government efforts to end the standoff with Natives. The local mayor issued a statement calling for calm and peaceful words to prevail.
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 24, 2006
The latest political rhetoric related to Six Nations land rights includes,"The difficult situation in Caledonia is one that requires a certain amount of wisdom and forebearance", said the Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice in the House of Commons. He was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Nanaimo and Cowichan on Vancouver Island, Jean Crowder of the NDP.
She asked if the Minister would agree to act on the recommendations of the Royal Commision on Aboriginal Peoples that was explicitly created to prevent another OKA-type situation from happening - recommendations that have been sitting there for years without any action.
Ignoring the question about the Royal Commission, "Good progress has been made over the last several days", stated the Indian Affairs Minister who met Monday morning with his provincial counterpart, David Ramsay.
Minister Prentice explained the progress on the weekend with,"the agreement on the development of a work plan that will provide for an effective way to address and resolve the outstanding issues related to the Six Nations and the governance issues. We are hopeful that together we can achieve a peaceful resolution".
Then MP Crowder asked if the Indian Claims Commission will be "moved from under the thumb" of the department of Indian Affairs, "so its independence can be restored . . .with a full set of commissioners and the resources to get on with the job?".
In response, the Indian Affairs Minister skirted the specific question by playing the blame game, "Mr.Speaker it is worth noting that under the previous administration the number of specific claims in this country ballooned from approximately 300 to something approaching 850 specific claims requiring some analysis on our part".
Fascinating, I say by way of comment, when you consider Jim Prentice had served as a senior official with the Indian Claims Commission and knows very well, that the system itself is to blame for the growing number of claims.
He also knows that in fact, the Commission as well as the government departments are under-resourced and that is why there is such a backlog of specific claims, not just the hurdle of them being under the thumb of Indian Affairs.
Truth be known, they are under the thumb of the Department of Justice that also fails to provide adequate resources to deal with specific claims.
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Six Nations protests lead to progressive land rights talks . . .
April 22, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=6864#p6864
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Support and Solidarity
April 21, 2006
Indigenous Peoples Land Rights . . .
viewtopic.php?p=6862#p6862
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Police Action Worsens the Situation at Six Nations Protest Site
April 20, 2006
Despite being threatened by tasers, tear gas and M16's, First Nations members and supporters stand firm . . .
viewtopic.php?p=6856#6856
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Political breakthrough at Six Nations greeted by guarded optimism and suspicion about an Indian Affairs/Corporate hidden agenda . . .
April 17, 2006
viewtopic.php?p=6851#p6851
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View photos of protest . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
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Peaceful protestors await arrest . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
March 30th, 2006
Jason Harris was returning to Six Nations from a protest site near Caledonia, when he was killed in a car accident. The incident cast a shadow of grief over the gathering of land rights protestors at the Douglas Creek Estates development. Harris was one of the first to launch the protest against the residential development on Indian land.
Meanwhile, the effort made by Indian Affairs to intervene, fell apart when Haudenosaunee Clan Mothers dismissed the appointment of Michael Coyle who was named as a fact finder. The one fact he found very quickly when he met with them, was that he was not welcome and was told to leave.
The protestors did not leave as a judge told them to do more than a week ago, and the police have not enforced a court ordered eviction . . . yet.
However, the sheriff of Haldimand County showed up at the site to read a court order that had been revised, to include the threat of fingerprinting and being photographed, if they do not leave and are arrested for criminal contempt of a court order.
Provincial police now have the authority to arrest the protesters but have not said when they will do it.
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For More About Six Nations Land Rights . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
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News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
March 26, 2006
Stolen Lands and More Than Two Centuries of Injustice . . .
The Haudenosaunee know what is right and what is wrong. The well known Iroquois Two Row Wampum said it all, symbolically - two canoes travelling down the river parallel, never crossing or interfering. But canoes got swamped by so much interference - traditions got all messed up over the centuries of colonial oppression.
Frustration cloaked-in-anger, that spawned grassroots action in February. Followed by court action from a 'foreign' government. Police action is waiting in the wings. Now, the Department of Indian Affairs has appointed a professor as a fact finder, regarding matters involving the disputed Douglas Creek Estates / Indian lands near Caledonia, Ontario.
Six Nations protestors, representing themselves and basic community interests, and not the elected Band Council, continue to occupy the site of a residential development, despite the nearby presence of police who are preparing to enforce a court order. The court-ordered deadline for the protestors to leave or else be arrested, passed at 2pm last Wednesday.
The Minister of Indian Affairs announced Friday he has appointed Professor Michael Coyle, "to better understand the issues and to promote a peaceful resolution of the situation".
Coyle was not appointed to mediate, because the rules of mediation are clear - both parties get to choose who mediates. However, the University of Western Ontario professor received a mandate to - investigate the nature of the grievances - identify the jurisdictional implications - and, explore the possibility for mediation.
Coyle has previously served as a Director with the Indian Commission of Ontario ( now only a memory ), and his mediation background includes experience in First Nations land claims. He currently teaches negotiations and mediation at the University of Western Ontario in London and serves as the University’s Director of Dispute Resolution Services.
An Indian Affairs news release explained that the federal and provincial governments have been dealing with the Six Nations land claims issues. How? Lawyers for all parties meet regularly for discussions, something they have been doing since 2004. That was when court action was suspended in favour of talks.
Has it been a useful process? According to Indian Affairs, yes!
"Progress is being made. As of March 15, 2006, for example, agreement had been reached on a factual narrative of the Port Maitland and Jarvis elements of the claim and all three parties have agreed to proceed with exploratory resolution discussions on these elements."
The difficulty Mr. Coyle faces, is that the protestors are not aligned with the elected Six Nations government. They are supported by the Longhouse Clan Mothers who do not recognize the Indian Affairs, colonial-imposed way of doing business through an elected council.
As for fact finding?
The basics are already obvious.
Poverty and its many terrible tentacles.
Disrespect for the true traditions and culture of the Onkwe’hon:we - the People.
A divided community.
Nepotism.
Lack of accountability, transparency, and communication between community leaders and the people.
Distrust of INAC's puppet governments.
Six Nations lands were used by outsiders for years. The land claims process has not served the Six Nations people well. While millions of dollars were spent setting up research and negotiations infrastructure, no real headway was made. The land claims staff were sent home, the office gathered dust, and the lawyers took over completely by launching court action which now is on hold.
Meanwhile, the land still belongs to Six Nations, but as is the case in many places across Canada, others are developing the lands for their own benefit, while governments repeatedly stretch the meaning of the word progress - for public relations purposes.
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News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
March 23, 2006
Six Nations Clan Mothers moved out of their behind-the-scenes role, to the frontlines of the protest on disputed land near Caledonia, Ontario. They are there amidst a construction site of a Henco Industries residential development, on land the protestors explained was legally designated as Indian land in the 1700s through an agreement called the Haldimand Tract.
Henco officials labelled the protestors as a splinter group, and said that the Six Nations Council never complained to the developer.
However, this gathering is not about the elected council, it is a grassroots demonstration with support of the traditional longhouse people. In fact, the statement issued Wednesday provided perspective on the whose who behind this protest, "we the clan mothers command the agents, representatives and officers of the said British corporation to be at peace and refrain from any acts of violence to spill blood or interfere with the rights of the Onkwe’hon:we".
Several hundred supporters were on hand for an expected showdown with police. However, the 2pm court-ordered deadline for the protestors to leave, arrived without incident, although the police were nearby.
Today they are looking for an opportunity to enforce the court order by arresting the protestors on charges of Criminal and Civil Contempt. The charges flow from the court decision to grant an injunction, and subsequent enforcement order issued by a Superior Court judge, who ironically owns land within the disputed area.
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Members of Six Nations Protest Against Subdivision Development on
"Indian" Land Near Caledonia . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
March 18, 2006
Walk away, or you will be arrested. The choice is one that faces a handful of Six Nations members and their supporters, after Superior Court Justice David Marshall issued his ruling on Criminal Contempt charges.
The protestors, who have occupied the site of a residential development outside Caledonia, Ontario since last month, were given until this coming Wednesday to leave . . . or else. The ultimatum by the judge was simple, "You won’t be arrested unless you want to", were his words spoken for the benefit of all to hear, but specifically Dawn Smith, a champion for Six Nation’s land rights, and one of the leaders of the protest at the Douglas Creek Estates development.
There has been a number of noteworthy legal twists and turns, on the path to the court’s latest decision. An injuncton was granted as requested by the developer, Henco Industries. But the Ontario Provincial Police were unable to enforce it until the judge specifically ruled on the Criminal Contempt charges. Now the police can move in, as of 2pm Wednesday.
It is somewhat bizarre that the judge owns property within the disputed area that Six Nations maintains it is the true owner. Still, he continued to hear the case after he was asked not to because of conflict of interest.
Also of interest - the judge has a Mohawk name he explained - bestowed upon him by a Six Nations Clan Mother. So he was not without some empathy for Smith and the protestors.
However, in the end he warned them to follow his ruling. It means if they are still on the property Wednesday afternoon, the police will arrest them and they will immediately be charged with Criminal and Civil Contempt.
The judge, although ordering them off the land, seemed satisifed he was being lenient with them because he stated they will be sentenced to six months probation, with the proviso they stay away from the development site, or else they then would be imprisoned.
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Six Nations land rights - peaceful protestors face court action . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
March 17, 2006
A protest, steeped in Iroquois /Haudenosaunee history, and now blanketed by frustration and the law, has Six Nations members and supporters anxiously awaiting the outcome of a crucial court challenge. Six Nations community people peacefully protest at the site of Douglas Creek development, near Caledonia "on Six Nations Territory known as the Haldimand Tract".
The history is well known to The People. In 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand issued a proclamation authorizing Six Nations to take possession of and settle upon the banks of the Grand River including - Six miles on each side of the Grand River from Lake Erie to the river’s source - approximately 950,000 acres.
On Thursday, in Court arguments over an injunction against some members of Six Nations were heard. In a news release, Janie Jamieson, a spokesperson for the Six Nations protestors, explained that Judge Thomas David Marshall was asked to step down from presiding over this case because he held land deeds on the Haldimand Tract. After a short recess, "Judge Marshall declared no conflict and proceeded". No judgment was made regarding charges being laid against protestors, and the hearing continues this morning at 11 a.m.
The court is to decide what action to take against the people who ignored the injunction ordering them to leave the development site. It is anticipated that Criminal Contempt charges may be laid and that would trigger Provincial Police action at the protest site, or as the people call it, "the land reclamation site".
The protestors, whose action began the end of February, are demanding 1.) there be no further development on their land and 2.) that outstanding Six Nations land claims be settled by the federal government.
During Canada's federal election campaign, the Six Nations Elected Council issued a statement of its expectations of a new government, including "uphold the honour of the Crown and resolve the outstanding land claims of the Six Nations of the Grand River".
This should come as no surprise to the new Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice. In fact, he once was an "insider" in the world of the land claims process, as he was head of the Indian Specific Claims Commission. In that role he would have been very aware of the huge difficulties Six Nations faced, in trying to get Ottawa to appropriately deal with its land rights issues.
So far, Prentice has been silent regarding the current Douglas Estates protest near Caledonia.
For More About Six Nations Land Rights . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
View the Map of the Haldimand Tract . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/sixnmap.jpg
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Six Nations Land Rights
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Six Nations Land Rights
by Six Nations Land Rights » Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:31 am
- Six Nations Land Rights
Land rights talks collapse
by Six Nations Breakthrough? » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:01 am
Six Nations Talks Collapsed . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 19, 2006
History, Politics and the Police are playing out once again in a scary scene that is all too familiar to Indians and Canadians.
1990 was the year of the Oka conflict over Mohawk land rights. 1995 was when land rights sparked a showdown at Ipperwash in Ontario, and another at Gustafson Lake in BC.
Context is important when comprehending all the factors behind the rising tension related to the land rights protest by Six Nations members and supporters, at a non-aboriginal housing development near Caledonia, Ontario.
Much is on the minds and tongues of the Indians, whose oral traditions bind them close to their history and how the people have been treated. In 1924 Canada sent in the RCMP to violently depose the legitimate Confederacy council of Six Nations. It is understandable if that piece of history is rearing its ugly head, as the Ontario Provincial Police who killed an unarmed Dudley George at Ipperwash, have prepared to raid the protest site - a raid that is imminent. The 1924 armed invasion of Six Nations territory was a military operation ordered by the Canadian government, using the RCMP - it was seen clearly as a declaration of war. It has never been forgotten by the Indians.
Mohawk observors suggest the OPP coming onto their Haldimand Tract territory is a declaration of war again. "Under our law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa / the Great Law, we have every right to defend our men, women and children by any means necessary," is what is on the minds of the warriors - women and men alike.
This is a righteous gathering of the people at the Douglas Creek Estates - a housing development on Six Nations land.
If the people are arrested, and the construction allowed to continue, it will be another black chapter of history built in Canada, on land of broken promises.
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 18, 2006
The traditional and elected political forces at Six Nations made remarkable progress, in their efforts to address land rights issues, particularly a protest at the Douglas Creek Estates near Caledonia, but it seems an Indian Affairs agenda has been exposed - Let the police resolve the protest situation in Ontario and then the lawyers can get back to bickering.
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Kahentinetha Horn of Mohawk Nation News has stayed on top of this story for the past fifty days. She reported, "At 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, April 18th, the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, Onondaga Longhouse, stated Canada absolutely refuses to address the land issue with Confederacy chiefs . . . The Confederacy has proposed a peaceful lawful resolution . . . On Sunday, April 16th at a people’s meeting the Confederacy and the band council agreed to work together and let the Confederacy chiefs and clan mothers deal with the land issue . . . Obviously what’s happening now was Canada and Ontario’s intention all along. They do not want the Confederacy to deal with the land issue . . . They do not want to come to a peaceful agreement with the Six Nations on the illegal building of non-native housing on their land and the many other land issues that plague Six Nations people . . . There is an iron clad promise under the Haldimand Agreement from the Crown to protect Six Nations people from encroachment. This has been violated for over 200 years. Canada and Ontario prefer to back Henco, an American corporation. They do not want the Indians to get anything . . . Canada is ready to create a situation where there will be a bloody confrontation between the police and the Indians . . . We need people to head over there with video cameras and other cameras to take pictures. That isn’t threatening, is it? If the OPP behave correctly and not evict people from their own land, then there will be nothing to hide . . . If Canada and Ontario are allowed to expropriate Six Nations for private American corporations, where will it stop? Predators are waiting to come in and take over the 20,000 acres that the Six Nations people are living on right now. Land values in this area are skyrocketing because of the influx of immigrants from all over the world. We Rotino’shon:ni are in the way of so-called -progress-. The Haldimand Deed guaranteed that there would never be any encroachment on our land ever! In 5 years it is foreseen that cities on the Haldimand Tract will more than double their population. To allow this, the federal government is relinquishing its trust responsibility that it would always protect the Rotinol’shon:ni /Iroquois from any encroachment whatsoever".
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BACKGROUND
MNN. Tuesday, April 18th, 2006. 3:15 pm.
At 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, April 18th, the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, Onondaga Longhouse, stated Canada absolutely refuses to address the land issue with Confederacy chiefs. It is a 200 year old outstanding land claim of the Six Nations. This is the 50th day of the standoff. Protesters have stopped Henco Industries from building an illegal housing development on their land.
The Confederacy has proposed a peaceful lawful resolution.
Canada only wants to deal with the Indian Act band council they illegally enforced on the territory. In 1924 Canada sent in the RCMP to violently depose the legitimate Confederacy council. They seem to be planning the same tactics again. The 1924 armed invasion was a military coup implemented by the Canadian government using the RCMP. They say it was a declaration of war. The OPP coming onto our territory is a declaration of war again. Under our law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa/Great Law, we have every right to defend our men, women and children by any means necessary.
Henco is taking the OPP to court tomorrow for not enforcing the illegal injunction. Henco seems to think that private companies can order the OPP around like an army of private mercenaries. The OPP are allegedly going after the protesters before the court hearing and have sent a message to the protesters, “You only have hours left”. Two paddy wagons are already parked nearby and the OPP cruisers are driving up and down Highway 6, all “swat teamed up”.
On Sunday, April 16th at a people’s meeting the Confederacy and the band council agreed to work together and let the Confederacy chiefs and clan mothers deal with the land issue. Legally they are the only ones who can as Canada and their band councils are recent creations. Only councilor Dave General refused to go along with the people. He read out Canada and Ontario’s position against what the people wanted. He wants a “poll” to be conducted which he and his masters can control. If this happens, we want impartial international observers to make sure it is legal. Otherwise it’s just a rubber stamp for the establishment.
Obviously what’s happening now was Canada and Ontario’s intention all along. They do not want the Confederacy to deal with the land issue. Canada is clearly in default. They do not want to come to a peaceful agreement with the Six Nations on the illegal building of non-native housing on their land and the many other land issues that plague Six Nations people. Canada is caught. There is an iron clad promise under the Haldimand Agreement from the Crown to protect Six Nations people from encroachment. This has been violated for over 200 years. Canada and Ontario prefer to back Henco, an American corporation. They do not want the Indians to get anything.
Canada is ready to create a situation where there will be a bloody confrontation between the police and the Indians. Things could get out of hand. Nobody will know about it because the media blackout already in place will be continued. At the same time many friends and allies of the Six Nations are being targeted. The Indians are always ready to talk peace and negotiate.
We need people to head over there with video cameras and other cameras to take pictures. That isn’t threatening, is it? If the OPP behave correctly and not evict people from their own land, then there will be nothing to hide.
If Canada and Ontario are allowed to expropriate Six Nations for private American corporations, where will it stop? Predators are waiting to come in and take over the 20,000 acres that the Six Nations people are living on right now. Land values in this area are skyrocketing because of the influx of immigrants from all over the world. We Rotino’shon:ni are in the way of so-called “progress”. The Haldimand Deed guaranteed that there would never be any encroachment on our land ever!
In 5 years it is foreseen that cities on the Haldimand Tract will more than double their population. To allow this, the federal government is relinquishing its trust responsibility that it would always protect the Rotinol’shon:ni/Iroquois from any encroachment whatsoever. Beware! The federal government is not credible as they are not willing to uphold this solemn promise.
Call Dick Hill at 519-865-7722; Jacqueline House at 905-765-9316; Hazel at 519-445-1351;
Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News
Kahentinetha2@yahoo.com
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Land rights issue may be put to a vote at Six Nations - Questions raised about the validity of the voting rules . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 17, 2006
A significant breakthrough is reported at Six Nations where the elected government voted in favour of having the traditional Confederacy handle the land rights dispute at the site of the Douglas Creek Estates near Caledonia, Ontario.
It has been suggested a community vote be held to determine a land rights action plan. However, concerns are raised about the voting rules and a hidden agenda.
Kahentinetha Horn of Mohawk Nation News reported, "At the Sunday April 16th emergency meeting (an emergency for Canada), the band council voted 7 to 6 in favor of turning land matters over to the Rotino’shon:ni Confederacy.
In other words, we’d like to see them keep the same standards of excellence that they had back in the 1920’s. Council meetings were open to the public and were fully recorded so that the public had a better understanding of the Six Nations people . . . The band council decision to hand matters concerning land over to the traditional Confederacy council that Canada violently deposed in 1924 is a political breakthrough . . . The band councilors’ move reflects the attempt by the Six Nations people to express their will, in terms that Canada must accept. Canada and Ontario were told to honor our wishes."
Kahentinetha Horn reported that elected chief Dave General did not vote in favor of this resolution. "Instead he read out his, Canada and Ontario’s schemes on how to resolve the occupation. They want an extension to the current Douglas Creek Estates’ injunction to May 24th 2006 . . . They want a poll to be conducted of all members 18 years of age and older on whom should oversee the land issue. Will it be the traditional Confederacy, the band council or a jointly appointed committee? The band council is supporting the Confederacy and Dave General is still pushing the colonial agenda. Hey, Dave, whose payroll are you on anyway?"
According to the Mohawk Nation News report, the idea is to send a notice out to Six Nations community members on April 19th. They want the poll to take place on May 22nd. "We are very suspicious of voting in any polls or election run by his colonial master. We have our own way of making decisions which includes all people of all ages according to the Kaianereh’ko:wa."
The concern of the Traditionals is that only a small number, perhaps only 3 percent will participate in this vote, and the most likely voters will be those who support the elected band council.
"There are 22,000 members of the Six Nations community. A legitimate poll should have at least 13,000 to 14,000 people voting. Only 500 people voting would be completely illegal according to international law. A valid poll would sanction the traditional chiefs to speak on our behalf. There has to be complete disclosure and fully informed consent of a majority of the people. Otherwise it would be the decision of a small group of elitists who are likely pawns of the outside interests."
The vote will be run by Indian Affairs. To be fair and legal, it should be run by the United Nations.
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BACKGROUND
Our jurisdictional position with respect to the land at Grand River.
I would be glad to share any information with you regarding our situation as it is indeed a most important one. As a basis for catch up, the women of the community, supported by our Clanmothers and men have held our position on unceded territory within the haldimand tract near the vacinity of what is now known as Caledonia.
The position of our people has been simple, we own the land, and the women as titleholders, have a responsibility according to our law, the Kaierenekowah, to protect that land as a mother to a child.
The Confederacy chiefs, who at one point, because of the court injunction had pulled their support from the people, have once again supported the efforts of the people and are working toward helping the people in their position. The federal government, provincial government, elected band council, OPP, Haldimand county, the developers and our traditional government have had a couple of meetings. The first two were basically a "show" in an attempt to appear that they are operating in good faith, but reality is, they did not even consider the position of the confederacy and paid attention only to what the elective system has said.
In a turn of events, a special meeting was called for those same people, at which time the elective system voted 7 out of the 12 to have the government respect the Confederacy council , and that lands deals would be handled with our Confederacy. No answer from the feds whether this is even being considered. Band councillor Dave General wants the OPP to come in and remove the "radicals" from the site, and continue negotiations with lands claims with his so called governemnt.
The people, and the Clanmothers and chiefs continue to remind all of those on the side of canada, including the elective band council, that they have no say over our lands and that the treaties were made with the Confederacy people not the elective system and that by rights, the band council and the governemnt of canada are both sitting on the same side of the negotiating table. The people re-affirmed today at a meeting, and consesus was reached that we will not move from these lands; in a nutshell, that is it. If you have specific questions, please fell free to e-mail me, or call my cell (519)865-7723, or work (519)445-0719
Thanks for the support!
Hazel E. Hill
thebasketcase@on.aibn.com
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View photos of protest
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
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Mainstream media reports on Douglas Creek Estates protest
http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp ... 2=+Search+
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 19, 2006
History, Politics and the Police are playing out once again in a scary scene that is all too familiar to Indians and Canadians.
1990 was the year of the Oka conflict over Mohawk land rights. 1995 was when land rights sparked a showdown at Ipperwash in Ontario, and another at Gustafson Lake in BC.
Context is important when comprehending all the factors behind the rising tension related to the land rights protest by Six Nations members and supporters, at a non-aboriginal housing development near Caledonia, Ontario.
Much is on the minds and tongues of the Indians, whose oral traditions bind them close to their history and how the people have been treated. In 1924 Canada sent in the RCMP to violently depose the legitimate Confederacy council of Six Nations. It is understandable if that piece of history is rearing its ugly head, as the Ontario Provincial Police who killed an unarmed Dudley George at Ipperwash, have prepared to raid the protest site - a raid that is imminent. The 1924 armed invasion of Six Nations territory was a military operation ordered by the Canadian government, using the RCMP - it was seen clearly as a declaration of war. It has never been forgotten by the Indians.
Mohawk observors suggest the OPP coming onto their Haldimand Tract territory is a declaration of war again. "Under our law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa / the Great Law, we have every right to defend our men, women and children by any means necessary," is what is on the minds of the warriors - women and men alike.
This is a righteous gathering of the people at the Douglas Creek Estates - a housing development on Six Nations land.
If the people are arrested, and the construction allowed to continue, it will be another black chapter of history built in Canada, on land of broken promises.
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 18, 2006
The traditional and elected political forces at Six Nations made remarkable progress, in their efforts to address land rights issues, particularly a protest at the Douglas Creek Estates near Caledonia, but it seems an Indian Affairs agenda has been exposed - Let the police resolve the protest situation in Ontario and then the lawyers can get back to bickering.
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Kahentinetha Horn of Mohawk Nation News has stayed on top of this story for the past fifty days. She reported, "At 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, April 18th, the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, Onondaga Longhouse, stated Canada absolutely refuses to address the land issue with Confederacy chiefs . . . The Confederacy has proposed a peaceful lawful resolution . . . On Sunday, April 16th at a people’s meeting the Confederacy and the band council agreed to work together and let the Confederacy chiefs and clan mothers deal with the land issue . . . Obviously what’s happening now was Canada and Ontario’s intention all along. They do not want the Confederacy to deal with the land issue . . . They do not want to come to a peaceful agreement with the Six Nations on the illegal building of non-native housing on their land and the many other land issues that plague Six Nations people . . . There is an iron clad promise under the Haldimand Agreement from the Crown to protect Six Nations people from encroachment. This has been violated for over 200 years. Canada and Ontario prefer to back Henco, an American corporation. They do not want the Indians to get anything . . . Canada is ready to create a situation where there will be a bloody confrontation between the police and the Indians . . . We need people to head over there with video cameras and other cameras to take pictures. That isn’t threatening, is it? If the OPP behave correctly and not evict people from their own land, then there will be nothing to hide . . . If Canada and Ontario are allowed to expropriate Six Nations for private American corporations, where will it stop? Predators are waiting to come in and take over the 20,000 acres that the Six Nations people are living on right now. Land values in this area are skyrocketing because of the influx of immigrants from all over the world. We Rotino’shon:ni are in the way of so-called -progress-. The Haldimand Deed guaranteed that there would never be any encroachment on our land ever! In 5 years it is foreseen that cities on the Haldimand Tract will more than double their population. To allow this, the federal government is relinquishing its trust responsibility that it would always protect the Rotinol’shon:ni /Iroquois from any encroachment whatsoever".
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
MNN. Tuesday, April 18th, 2006. 3:15 pm.
At 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, April 18th, the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, Onondaga Longhouse, stated Canada absolutely refuses to address the land issue with Confederacy chiefs. It is a 200 year old outstanding land claim of the Six Nations. This is the 50th day of the standoff. Protesters have stopped Henco Industries from building an illegal housing development on their land.
The Confederacy has proposed a peaceful lawful resolution.
Canada only wants to deal with the Indian Act band council they illegally enforced on the territory. In 1924 Canada sent in the RCMP to violently depose the legitimate Confederacy council. They seem to be planning the same tactics again. The 1924 armed invasion was a military coup implemented by the Canadian government using the RCMP. They say it was a declaration of war. The OPP coming onto our territory is a declaration of war again. Under our law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa/Great Law, we have every right to defend our men, women and children by any means necessary.
Henco is taking the OPP to court tomorrow for not enforcing the illegal injunction. Henco seems to think that private companies can order the OPP around like an army of private mercenaries. The OPP are allegedly going after the protesters before the court hearing and have sent a message to the protesters, “You only have hours left”. Two paddy wagons are already parked nearby and the OPP cruisers are driving up and down Highway 6, all “swat teamed up”.
On Sunday, April 16th at a people’s meeting the Confederacy and the band council agreed to work together and let the Confederacy chiefs and clan mothers deal with the land issue. Legally they are the only ones who can as Canada and their band councils are recent creations. Only councilor Dave General refused to go along with the people. He read out Canada and Ontario’s position against what the people wanted. He wants a “poll” to be conducted which he and his masters can control. If this happens, we want impartial international observers to make sure it is legal. Otherwise it’s just a rubber stamp for the establishment.
Obviously what’s happening now was Canada and Ontario’s intention all along. They do not want the Confederacy to deal with the land issue. Canada is clearly in default. They do not want to come to a peaceful agreement with the Six Nations on the illegal building of non-native housing on their land and the many other land issues that plague Six Nations people. Canada is caught. There is an iron clad promise under the Haldimand Agreement from the Crown to protect Six Nations people from encroachment. This has been violated for over 200 years. Canada and Ontario prefer to back Henco, an American corporation. They do not want the Indians to get anything.
Canada is ready to create a situation where there will be a bloody confrontation between the police and the Indians. Things could get out of hand. Nobody will know about it because the media blackout already in place will be continued. At the same time many friends and allies of the Six Nations are being targeted. The Indians are always ready to talk peace and negotiate.
We need people to head over there with video cameras and other cameras to take pictures. That isn’t threatening, is it? If the OPP behave correctly and not evict people from their own land, then there will be nothing to hide.
If Canada and Ontario are allowed to expropriate Six Nations for private American corporations, where will it stop? Predators are waiting to come in and take over the 20,000 acres that the Six Nations people are living on right now. Land values in this area are skyrocketing because of the influx of immigrants from all over the world. We Rotino’shon:ni are in the way of so-called “progress”. The Haldimand Deed guaranteed that there would never be any encroachment on our land ever!
In 5 years it is foreseen that cities on the Haldimand Tract will more than double their population. To allow this, the federal government is relinquishing its trust responsibility that it would always protect the Rotinol’shon:ni/Iroquois from any encroachment whatsoever. Beware! The federal government is not credible as they are not willing to uphold this solemn promise.
Call Dick Hill at 519-865-7722; Jacqueline House at 905-765-9316; Hazel at 519-445-1351;
Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News
Kahentinetha2@yahoo.com
- - - - - - -
Land rights issue may be put to a vote at Six Nations - Questions raised about the validity of the voting rules . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 17, 2006
A significant breakthrough is reported at Six Nations where the elected government voted in favour of having the traditional Confederacy handle the land rights dispute at the site of the Douglas Creek Estates near Caledonia, Ontario.
It has been suggested a community vote be held to determine a land rights action plan. However, concerns are raised about the voting rules and a hidden agenda.
Kahentinetha Horn of Mohawk Nation News reported, "At the Sunday April 16th emergency meeting (an emergency for Canada), the band council voted 7 to 6 in favor of turning land matters over to the Rotino’shon:ni Confederacy.
In other words, we’d like to see them keep the same standards of excellence that they had back in the 1920’s. Council meetings were open to the public and were fully recorded so that the public had a better understanding of the Six Nations people . . . The band council decision to hand matters concerning land over to the traditional Confederacy council that Canada violently deposed in 1924 is a political breakthrough . . . The band councilors’ move reflects the attempt by the Six Nations people to express their will, in terms that Canada must accept. Canada and Ontario were told to honor our wishes."
Kahentinetha Horn reported that elected chief Dave General did not vote in favor of this resolution. "Instead he read out his, Canada and Ontario’s schemes on how to resolve the occupation. They want an extension to the current Douglas Creek Estates’ injunction to May 24th 2006 . . . They want a poll to be conducted of all members 18 years of age and older on whom should oversee the land issue. Will it be the traditional Confederacy, the band council or a jointly appointed committee? The band council is supporting the Confederacy and Dave General is still pushing the colonial agenda. Hey, Dave, whose payroll are you on anyway?"
According to the Mohawk Nation News report, the idea is to send a notice out to Six Nations community members on April 19th. They want the poll to take place on May 22nd. "We are very suspicious of voting in any polls or election run by his colonial master. We have our own way of making decisions which includes all people of all ages according to the Kaianereh’ko:wa."
The concern of the Traditionals is that only a small number, perhaps only 3 percent will participate in this vote, and the most likely voters will be those who support the elected band council.
"There are 22,000 members of the Six Nations community. A legitimate poll should have at least 13,000 to 14,000 people voting. Only 500 people voting would be completely illegal according to international law. A valid poll would sanction the traditional chiefs to speak on our behalf. There has to be complete disclosure and fully informed consent of a majority of the people. Otherwise it would be the decision of a small group of elitists who are likely pawns of the outside interests."
The vote will be run by Indian Affairs. To be fair and legal, it should be run by the United Nations.
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
Our jurisdictional position with respect to the land at Grand River.
I would be glad to share any information with you regarding our situation as it is indeed a most important one. As a basis for catch up, the women of the community, supported by our Clanmothers and men have held our position on unceded territory within the haldimand tract near the vacinity of what is now known as Caledonia.
The position of our people has been simple, we own the land, and the women as titleholders, have a responsibility according to our law, the Kaierenekowah, to protect that land as a mother to a child.
The Confederacy chiefs, who at one point, because of the court injunction had pulled their support from the people, have once again supported the efforts of the people and are working toward helping the people in their position. The federal government, provincial government, elected band council, OPP, Haldimand county, the developers and our traditional government have had a couple of meetings. The first two were basically a "show" in an attempt to appear that they are operating in good faith, but reality is, they did not even consider the position of the confederacy and paid attention only to what the elective system has said.
In a turn of events, a special meeting was called for those same people, at which time the elective system voted 7 out of the 12 to have the government respect the Confederacy council , and that lands deals would be handled with our Confederacy. No answer from the feds whether this is even being considered. Band councillor Dave General wants the OPP to come in and remove the "radicals" from the site, and continue negotiations with lands claims with his so called governemnt.
The people, and the Clanmothers and chiefs continue to remind all of those on the side of canada, including the elective band council, that they have no say over our lands and that the treaties were made with the Confederacy people not the elective system and that by rights, the band council and the governemnt of canada are both sitting on the same side of the negotiating table. The people re-affirmed today at a meeting, and consesus was reached that we will not move from these lands; in a nutshell, that is it. If you have specific questions, please fell free to e-mail me, or call my cell (519)865-7723, or work (519)445-0719
Thanks for the support!
Hazel E. Hill
thebasketcase@on.aibn.com
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View photos of protest
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
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Mainstream media reports on Douglas Creek Estates protest
http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp ... 2=+Search+
- Six Nations Breakthrough?
Police action against Six Nations protestors
by Police Spark Anger » Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:00 am
Support and Solidarity Grow for Six Nations Land Rights and Their Protest in Ontario . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 20, 2006
It got worse not better, after the Ontario Provincial Police raided a Six Nations protest site, armed with M16's, using tear gas on women, and tasers on teenagers.
Sixteen people were arrested. But rather than end the protest, it only served to fuel a volatile situation and sparked solidarity action. Dozens of people arrived at the Douglas Creek Estates protest site, a short while after the police raid. More continued to arrive throughout the day.
Political support from Native leaders also grew. Assembly of First Nations Nations Chief Phil Fontaine noted that the police action only made matters worse and reminded Canadians there are more than a thousand outstanding land claims across the country, and they need to be addressed. In British Columbia, the First Nations Leadership Council issued a statement, calling for the police to "stand down".
Grand Chief Ed John, of the First Nations Summit stated, "We call for the immediate intervention of both Prime Minister Harper and Premier McGuinty to begin to defuse this tense situation . . . What is needed, rather than a hands-off approach, is their respect, recognition and their efforts to begin to reconcile the conflicting interests involved".
Assembly of First Nations, BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo stated, "What is readily apparent is how similar this crisis is developing compared to Oka in 1990 and Ipperwash in 1995. Underlying all of these situations are unresolved land issues of the Mohawk Nation which is not so dissimilar to situations here in British Columbia".
Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs added, "If there is any hope of avoiding escalation, both Harper and McGuinty must support a 30 day cooling-off period. An immediate moratorium on further construction on the site must also be put in place. Most importantly, the court injunction and court orders must be temporarily stayed in order that the Ontario Provincial Police may stand down".
- - - - - - -
Teens Tasered - Woman Beaten . . .
Ontario Provincial Police Raided Six Nations Protest Site . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 20, 2006
"Youths were dragged from their tents . . . one woman was beaten by five police officers."
Janie Jamieson, a spokesperson for the people told reporters that police brutality was witnessed. Several people were reported injured and sixteen arrests were made when the Ontario Provincial Police stormed the Six Nations protest site near Caledonia.
Mohawk Nation News reported, "At 5:55 am this morning over 150 heavily armed Ontario Provincial Police . . . invaded Six Nations land. Some carrying M-16s, in riot gear . . . Tear gas has been thrown at them. Some were pepper sprayed."
The pre-dawn raid sparked confrontation and now has spawned greater resolve by protestors to stay put, and has created greater support. Hours after the police action, hundreds of people were reported to have gathered at the site after the police raid. Tire fires were set as part of road blockades, as protestors re-established their presence at Douglas Creek Estates, a residential development project being built on Indian land.
"We used the least amount of force possible," said Provincial police officials who claimed they used restraint, but had to use force during the arrests because of the "behaviour" of some of the protestors. Later, they said several policemen were injured by protestors. One officer suffered injuries "after being struck by a bag of rocks". The police have established a "perimeter" around the protest site to contain the situation. Police officials claim their "focus is on public safety".
When the police raided the protest site they said they were greeted by some protestors with clubs, axes and other weapons that were seen, but not guns. A CBC reporter toured the protest site and confirmed there were no weapons visible to her.
According to reports from the protestors, the OPP pepper sprayed them and the people started fighting back. Despite the use of tear gas and tasers and their threatening presence with M16s, "The people moved the police off the land". They walked backwards off the territory, explained Janie Jamieson.
The protestors are unarmed but they are protecting themselves in a traditional way, "The Six Nations people have been burning tobacco during this entire occupation for their protection. This is the only weapon that we have. We know the truth is on our side.
We are calling upon the natural forces to give us wisdom and guidance through this whole siege. There are repercussions to those involved when you go against people who are innocent and justified in what they are doing".
BACKGROUND
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
- - - - - - -
O.P.P News Release
Protesters Removed From Caledonia Housing Development
CALEDONIA, ON, April 20,2006
Today, members of the Ontario Provincial Police arrested and removed 16 protesters occupying a housing development in Caledonia, Ontario in contravention of a court order issued by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on March 3, 2006.
The Douglas Creek Estate development was seized and occupied on February 28, 2006 with claims the land belongs to the Six Nations. Clearly this is a difficult situation for all involved.
At approximately 4:30 a.m. today, teams of officers trained in the safe
orderly removal of protesters attended the Douglas Creek Estates, Caledonia and removed the protesters. Officers were required to use the least amount of force that was necessary in order to affect some of the arrests.
The site was secured, however a short time later the site was re-
occupied. During this time three OPP officers were injured and required
medical attention. Our officers showed tremendous restraint while confronted by the protesters with weapons which included axes, crowbars, rocks and a various assortment of make-shift batons.
The community of Caledonia and Six Nations People have lived together
peacefully for many years and at the end of the day we need to regain this
sense of peace and harmony.
While the police continue to be involved in this matter we also continue
to hope that a peaceful and lasting resolution can be achieved. We ask
everyone to work with us in restoring calm. The OPP will continue to monitor the situation with a focus on public safety.
For further information: Sgt. Dave Rektor, (519) 476-3753
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 20, 2006
It got worse not better, after the Ontario Provincial Police raided a Six Nations protest site, armed with M16's, using tear gas on women, and tasers on teenagers.
Sixteen people were arrested. But rather than end the protest, it only served to fuel a volatile situation and sparked solidarity action. Dozens of people arrived at the Douglas Creek Estates protest site, a short while after the police raid. More continued to arrive throughout the day.
Political support from Native leaders also grew. Assembly of First Nations Nations Chief Phil Fontaine noted that the police action only made matters worse and reminded Canadians there are more than a thousand outstanding land claims across the country, and they need to be addressed. In British Columbia, the First Nations Leadership Council issued a statement, calling for the police to "stand down".
Grand Chief Ed John, of the First Nations Summit stated, "We call for the immediate intervention of both Prime Minister Harper and Premier McGuinty to begin to defuse this tense situation . . . What is needed, rather than a hands-off approach, is their respect, recognition and their efforts to begin to reconcile the conflicting interests involved".
Assembly of First Nations, BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo stated, "What is readily apparent is how similar this crisis is developing compared to Oka in 1990 and Ipperwash in 1995. Underlying all of these situations are unresolved land issues of the Mohawk Nation which is not so dissimilar to situations here in British Columbia".
Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs added, "If there is any hope of avoiding escalation, both Harper and McGuinty must support a 30 day cooling-off period. An immediate moratorium on further construction on the site must also be put in place. Most importantly, the court injunction and court orders must be temporarily stayed in order that the Ontario Provincial Police may stand down".
- - - - - - -
Teens Tasered - Woman Beaten . . .
Ontario Provincial Police Raided Six Nations Protest Site . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 20, 2006
"Youths were dragged from their tents . . . one woman was beaten by five police officers."
Janie Jamieson, a spokesperson for the people told reporters that police brutality was witnessed. Several people were reported injured and sixteen arrests were made when the Ontario Provincial Police stormed the Six Nations protest site near Caledonia.
Mohawk Nation News reported, "At 5:55 am this morning over 150 heavily armed Ontario Provincial Police . . . invaded Six Nations land. Some carrying M-16s, in riot gear . . . Tear gas has been thrown at them. Some were pepper sprayed."
The pre-dawn raid sparked confrontation and now has spawned greater resolve by protestors to stay put, and has created greater support. Hours after the police action, hundreds of people were reported to have gathered at the site after the police raid. Tire fires were set as part of road blockades, as protestors re-established their presence at Douglas Creek Estates, a residential development project being built on Indian land.
"We used the least amount of force possible," said Provincial police officials who claimed they used restraint, but had to use force during the arrests because of the "behaviour" of some of the protestors. Later, they said several policemen were injured by protestors. One officer suffered injuries "after being struck by a bag of rocks". The police have established a "perimeter" around the protest site to contain the situation. Police officials claim their "focus is on public safety".
When the police raided the protest site they said they were greeted by some protestors with clubs, axes and other weapons that were seen, but not guns. A CBC reporter toured the protest site and confirmed there were no weapons visible to her.
According to reports from the protestors, the OPP pepper sprayed them and the people started fighting back. Despite the use of tear gas and tasers and their threatening presence with M16s, "The people moved the police off the land". They walked backwards off the territory, explained Janie Jamieson.
The protestors are unarmed but they are protecting themselves in a traditional way, "The Six Nations people have been burning tobacco during this entire occupation for their protection. This is the only weapon that we have. We know the truth is on our side.
We are calling upon the natural forces to give us wisdom and guidance through this whole siege. There are repercussions to those involved when you go against people who are innocent and justified in what they are doing".
BACKGROUND
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
- - - - - - -
O.P.P News Release
Protesters Removed From Caledonia Housing Development
CALEDONIA, ON, April 20,2006
Today, members of the Ontario Provincial Police arrested and removed 16 protesters occupying a housing development in Caledonia, Ontario in contravention of a court order issued by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on March 3, 2006.
The Douglas Creek Estate development was seized and occupied on February 28, 2006 with claims the land belongs to the Six Nations. Clearly this is a difficult situation for all involved.
At approximately 4:30 a.m. today, teams of officers trained in the safe
orderly removal of protesters attended the Douglas Creek Estates, Caledonia and removed the protesters. Officers were required to use the least amount of force that was necessary in order to affect some of the arrests.
The site was secured, however a short time later the site was re-
occupied. During this time three OPP officers were injured and required
medical attention. Our officers showed tremendous restraint while confronted by the protesters with weapons which included axes, crowbars, rocks and a various assortment of make-shift batons.
The community of Caledonia and Six Nations People have lived together
peacefully for many years and at the end of the day we need to regain this
sense of peace and harmony.
While the police continue to be involved in this matter we also continue
to hope that a peaceful and lasting resolution can be achieved. We ask
everyone to work with us in restoring calm. The OPP will continue to monitor the situation with a focus on public safety.
For further information: Sgt. Dave Rektor, (519) 476-3753
- Police Spark Anger
Solidarity With Six Nations Protestors
by Supporting Six Nations » Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:09 am
Solidarity With Six Nations Protestors
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 21, 2006
Mohawks of Akwesasne, Kahnesetake, Tyendinaga showed their support for the Six Nations lands rights protest, by staging their own public protests.
The most dramatic was near Belleville, Ontario as Tyendinaga Mohawks and supporters blocked the Canadian National Railway line, prompting CN Rail to go to court to get an injunction, and succeeding. However, rail service along the main train transit line between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal was severely disrupted.
"CN has obtained an injunction from the Ontario Superior Court, ordering First Nations members currently obstructing CN’s main line between Montreal and Toronto at a site near Marysville, Ontario, to remove their blockade. CN had requested the injunction on the basis that this rail line is an essential link in CN’s transcontinental network, whose unobstructed operation is essential to CN’s freight customers across North America, as well as to the travelling public using VIA passenger rail services.
CN is in no way involved with the dispute involving First Nations near Caledonia, Ontario that apparently triggered this illegal action at Marysville, two hundred miles distant from the Caledonia controversy, and should not be expected to suffer any harm due to a matter with which it has no involvement or interest whatsoever. Although CN favours a peaceful resolution to this matter, it will take all measures open to it under the law to protect its right to operate its rail service without obstruction or hindrance."
Canadian Press reported that near the Canada-U.S. border crossing at Cornwall, Ontario - Mohawk protestors from Akwesasne paraded with protest signs, soliciting support from passing motorists.
In British Columbia, the United Native Nations representing urban Aboriginals, issued a strongly worded statement in support of Six Nations. The UNN insisted the Federal Government negotiate with the leaders of Six Nations on a Nation-to-Nation basis to defuse the situation at Caledonia, Ontario.
A former leader of the West Coast Warriors, David Dennis Vice- President of United Native Nations said, "I have seen first-hand in 2001 at Burnt Church, New Brunswick, the violence put upon our people by the Government of Canada . . . We call for the safety for the Six Nations women, children and families.
We as Indian people will go to ANY measures to ensure their safety. We will hold this government accountable for any expenditure through the RCMP that results in any harm done to the people of Six Nations.
There are over 90,000 urban aboriginals in the greater Vancouver Area. The frustration of our impoverished situations may come to a boiling point should the Six Nations situation be resolved in a heavy-handed manner.
We call for peace and calm. The Federal Government and Prime Minister Harper must act honourably and consult all leadership within Six Nations to prevent any further incursions".
Earlier this week, the First Nations Leadership Council in BC called on the police to "stand down", and urged the Prime Minister and Premier of Ontario to take immediate action "to begin to defuse this tense situation".
"Canada Out of Six Nations". "No Development on Stolen Land". "Henco Out of Six Nations". "It’s Time to Decolonise". "Canada/O.P.P. Respect Rotinoshonni Soveriegnty". Those protest signs illustrated how support is growing for Six Nations land rights and their protest in Ontario.
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/sixnat9a.jpg
Solidarity with Six Nations was seen on the streets of Montreal.
A demonstration to denounce the Ontario Provincial Police attack on Indigenous protesters defending their land at Six Nations, attracted several dozen supporters. The demonstration, which was called with just a few hours notice, gathered at Cabot Park in downtown Montreal.
After speeches by Misty and Tania, two local indigenous solidarity activists, the demonstration marched along Ste-Catherine Street. Protesters chanted, "Indigenous rights under attack, what do we do? Stand up and fight back . . . Land, freedom, self-determination, Canada is an illegal nation!" and,in French, "Fin de l’occupation, respectez les Six Nations!"
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/sixnat9a.jpg
Members of the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity and allied groups promised to,"continue to raise awareness and mobilize to show support and solidarity with the indigenous resistance at Six Nations".
Mohawk flags were seen flying high above the roadway on the Mercier Bridge, where Mohawk Peacekeepers staged a protest to support their relations at Six Nations. Thursday morning traffic on the bridge was halted for about fifteen minutes.
Political support from Native leaders also grew. Assembly of First Nations Nations Chief Phil Fontaine noted that the police action only made matters worse and reminded Canadians there are more than a thousand outstanding land claims across the country, and they need to be addressed. In British Columbia, the First Nations Leadership Council issued a statement, calling for the police to "stand down".
Grand Chief Ed John, of the First Nations Summit stated, "We call for the immediate intervention of both Prime Minister Harper and Premier McGuinty to begin to defuse this tense situation . . . What is needed, rather than a hands-off approach, is their respect, recognition and their efforts to begin to reconcile the conflicting interests involved".
Assembly of First Nations, BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo stated, "What is readily apparent is how similar this crisis is developing compared to Oka in 1990 and Ipperwash in 1995. Underlying all of these situations are unresolved land issues of the Mohawk Nation which is not so dissimilar to situations here in British Columbia".
Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs added, "If there is any hope of avoiding escalation, both Harper and McGuinty must support a 30 day cooling-off period. An immediate moratorium on further construction on the site must also be put in place. Most importantly, the court injunction and court orders must be temporarily stayed in order that the Ontario Provincial Police may stand down".
- - - - - - -
Hazel Hill was one of the people who came face to face with the police Thursday morning at the protest site. These are her words.
Hey to all of our friends and allies from Grand River Territory.
We upheld the law and we're standing proud. this morning (Thursday) 15 people were arrested when the police moved in about 4:30 am. they had pepper sprayed some of the men and women, and forcibly removed our people from the site, including some of the non-native supporters that have been on the site with us, some for weeks.
My husband and I weren't on the site at the time, but one of the women from the camp came and told us that the police had moved in and so we immediately headed back down. The people had congregated at the back gate and when we arrived on the scene there were police around each corner of our lands, probably about 200 total. The people were still on the lands and had never completely left. We continued to gather and the numbers continued to grow. The people continued to tell the police
to leave, women & men elders & youth, we stood together in unity. When the police continued to resist our peaceful request to leave our territory, the Caledonia by-pass was closed down, trafffic was backing up in both directions, and only then did they realize that our people were not small in numbers, and perhaps they had underestimated the support that we did have.
We had hundreds of Six Nations people gathered at the site within the hour, and had the police surrounded at the back gate; and finally, the police agreed to withdraw. we marched them off of the back gate, many women linking arms together walking the police off our land followed by
the rest, we then went to the corner gate, again, marching them off of the lands.
The police continued to file out of the lands onto hwy 6 in front of the disputed land area. the people then gathered to the front gate and continued to uphold our Kaierenekowah, removing the police from the site. I attended toward the back of the property to inform the remaining officers on site that they were pulling out and asked them to leave.
A female officer informed me that I was in violation of a court injunction and that if I didn't leave the property I would be arrested. I informed her that SHE was in violation of the Supreme Law of the Land, our
Kairenekowah, and in violation of international law and that she should leave.
I again informed them that their officers were leaving the site and that they should leave. She again told me that if I didn't leave that I would be arrested, I told her again that she should leave, at which point she said, that's it mam your under arrest and tried to grab ahold of me. She was unable to get me down, at which point about 4 other male officers came to her assistance wrestling me to the ground.
I had hollered for help and at that point several of our people had headed in my direction, they began to knee or kick me in my left thigh, I did try to defend myself and at one point kicked an officer square in the chest to get him away from me (sorry to my friends who asked me not to fight, but my instincts kicked in and my reaction was immediate to defend myself) my eldest son tried to pull the police off of me and he was shot in the back with a tazer gun, but as soon as several others arrived on the scence, the police immediately withdrew off of me, people helped me and my son over to a vehicle where they pulled the darts out of his back. The police then got into their vehicles and on their way out I seen the female officer in the middle of the van with a big gun in her hands obviously ready to use it.
Everyone followed their vans to the front gate and the people walked the opp straight down argyle street south of the main gate and when they were far enough away, we pulled in a transport truck and shut the road down. We then blocked the road just north of the 6th line leading into our community.
The OPP have been continuosly reporting that they did not use any weapons other than pepper spray, that our people were armed etc., but when they moved in, the people were resting, some of them awakened from sleep and told to move out. We maintain that we did not break the Peace, the opp crossed the line and came into our lands fully packed with guns and other weapons with the intent to use them.
The situation was very tense but as I have told many many reporters today during interviews, "we upheld the Law that the Creator gave to us and are standing strong in front of Creation, honouring our Creator, our responsiblities according to the Kaierenekowah and Our Spirits and our hearts swelled with Pride.
We continue to keep the Peace, we have many supporters from many territories coming in to our aid and we want to send a Big Nya Weh to all of you, who, while you might not be here physically, all of the efforts through e-mails, letters etc., the food and other donations that you have been bringing in have touched our hearts tremendously, and through your support, you have helped in keeping that spirit alive and in the forefront. will talk to you soon. Our prayers are with all of you tonight as well.
Hazel.
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
Six Nations Land Rights . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 21, 2006
Mohawks of Akwesasne, Kahnesetake, Tyendinaga showed their support for the Six Nations lands rights protest, by staging their own public protests.
The most dramatic was near Belleville, Ontario as Tyendinaga Mohawks and supporters blocked the Canadian National Railway line, prompting CN Rail to go to court to get an injunction, and succeeding. However, rail service along the main train transit line between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal was severely disrupted.
"CN has obtained an injunction from the Ontario Superior Court, ordering First Nations members currently obstructing CN’s main line between Montreal and Toronto at a site near Marysville, Ontario, to remove their blockade. CN had requested the injunction on the basis that this rail line is an essential link in CN’s transcontinental network, whose unobstructed operation is essential to CN’s freight customers across North America, as well as to the travelling public using VIA passenger rail services.
CN is in no way involved with the dispute involving First Nations near Caledonia, Ontario that apparently triggered this illegal action at Marysville, two hundred miles distant from the Caledonia controversy, and should not be expected to suffer any harm due to a matter with which it has no involvement or interest whatsoever. Although CN favours a peaceful resolution to this matter, it will take all measures open to it under the law to protect its right to operate its rail service without obstruction or hindrance."
Canadian Press reported that near the Canada-U.S. border crossing at Cornwall, Ontario - Mohawk protestors from Akwesasne paraded with protest signs, soliciting support from passing motorists.
In British Columbia, the United Native Nations representing urban Aboriginals, issued a strongly worded statement in support of Six Nations. The UNN insisted the Federal Government negotiate with the leaders of Six Nations on a Nation-to-Nation basis to defuse the situation at Caledonia, Ontario.
A former leader of the West Coast Warriors, David Dennis Vice- President of United Native Nations said, "I have seen first-hand in 2001 at Burnt Church, New Brunswick, the violence put upon our people by the Government of Canada . . . We call for the safety for the Six Nations women, children and families.
We as Indian people will go to ANY measures to ensure their safety. We will hold this government accountable for any expenditure through the RCMP that results in any harm done to the people of Six Nations.
There are over 90,000 urban aboriginals in the greater Vancouver Area. The frustration of our impoverished situations may come to a boiling point should the Six Nations situation be resolved in a heavy-handed manner.
We call for peace and calm. The Federal Government and Prime Minister Harper must act honourably and consult all leadership within Six Nations to prevent any further incursions".
Earlier this week, the First Nations Leadership Council in BC called on the police to "stand down", and urged the Prime Minister and Premier of Ontario to take immediate action "to begin to defuse this tense situation".
"Canada Out of Six Nations". "No Development on Stolen Land". "Henco Out of Six Nations". "It’s Time to Decolonise". "Canada/O.P.P. Respect Rotinoshonni Soveriegnty". Those protest signs illustrated how support is growing for Six Nations land rights and their protest in Ontario.
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/sixnat9a.jpg
Solidarity with Six Nations was seen on the streets of Montreal.
A demonstration to denounce the Ontario Provincial Police attack on Indigenous protesters defending their land at Six Nations, attracted several dozen supporters. The demonstration, which was called with just a few hours notice, gathered at Cabot Park in downtown Montreal.
After speeches by Misty and Tania, two local indigenous solidarity activists, the demonstration marched along Ste-Catherine Street. Protesters chanted, "Indigenous rights under attack, what do we do? Stand up and fight back . . . Land, freedom, self-determination, Canada is an illegal nation!" and,in French, "Fin de l’occupation, respectez les Six Nations!"
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/sixnat9a.jpg
Members of the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity and allied groups promised to,"continue to raise awareness and mobilize to show support and solidarity with the indigenous resistance at Six Nations".
Mohawk flags were seen flying high above the roadway on the Mercier Bridge, where Mohawk Peacekeepers staged a protest to support their relations at Six Nations. Thursday morning traffic on the bridge was halted for about fifteen minutes.
Political support from Native leaders also grew. Assembly of First Nations Nations Chief Phil Fontaine noted that the police action only made matters worse and reminded Canadians there are more than a thousand outstanding land claims across the country, and they need to be addressed. In British Columbia, the First Nations Leadership Council issued a statement, calling for the police to "stand down".
Grand Chief Ed John, of the First Nations Summit stated, "We call for the immediate intervention of both Prime Minister Harper and Premier McGuinty to begin to defuse this tense situation . . . What is needed, rather than a hands-off approach, is their respect, recognition and their efforts to begin to reconcile the conflicting interests involved".
Assembly of First Nations, BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo stated, "What is readily apparent is how similar this crisis is developing compared to Oka in 1990 and Ipperwash in 1995. Underlying all of these situations are unresolved land issues of the Mohawk Nation which is not so dissimilar to situations here in British Columbia".
Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs added, "If there is any hope of avoiding escalation, both Harper and McGuinty must support a 30 day cooling-off period. An immediate moratorium on further construction on the site must also be put in place. Most importantly, the court injunction and court orders must be temporarily stayed in order that the Ontario Provincial Police may stand down".
- - - - - - -
Hazel Hill was one of the people who came face to face with the police Thursday morning at the protest site. These are her words.
Hey to all of our friends and allies from Grand River Territory.
We upheld the law and we're standing proud. this morning (Thursday) 15 people were arrested when the police moved in about 4:30 am. they had pepper sprayed some of the men and women, and forcibly removed our people from the site, including some of the non-native supporters that have been on the site with us, some for weeks.
My husband and I weren't on the site at the time, but one of the women from the camp came and told us that the police had moved in and so we immediately headed back down. The people had congregated at the back gate and when we arrived on the scene there were police around each corner of our lands, probably about 200 total. The people were still on the lands and had never completely left. We continued to gather and the numbers continued to grow. The people continued to tell the police
to leave, women & men elders & youth, we stood together in unity. When the police continued to resist our peaceful request to leave our territory, the Caledonia by-pass was closed down, trafffic was backing up in both directions, and only then did they realize that our people were not small in numbers, and perhaps they had underestimated the support that we did have.
We had hundreds of Six Nations people gathered at the site within the hour, and had the police surrounded at the back gate; and finally, the police agreed to withdraw. we marched them off of the back gate, many women linking arms together walking the police off our land followed by
the rest, we then went to the corner gate, again, marching them off of the lands.
The police continued to file out of the lands onto hwy 6 in front of the disputed land area. the people then gathered to the front gate and continued to uphold our Kaierenekowah, removing the police from the site. I attended toward the back of the property to inform the remaining officers on site that they were pulling out and asked them to leave.
A female officer informed me that I was in violation of a court injunction and that if I didn't leave the property I would be arrested. I informed her that SHE was in violation of the Supreme Law of the Land, our
Kairenekowah, and in violation of international law and that she should leave.
I again informed them that their officers were leaving the site and that they should leave. She again told me that if I didn't leave that I would be arrested, I told her again that she should leave, at which point she said, that's it mam your under arrest and tried to grab ahold of me. She was unable to get me down, at which point about 4 other male officers came to her assistance wrestling me to the ground.
I had hollered for help and at that point several of our people had headed in my direction, they began to knee or kick me in my left thigh, I did try to defend myself and at one point kicked an officer square in the chest to get him away from me (sorry to my friends who asked me not to fight, but my instincts kicked in and my reaction was immediate to defend myself) my eldest son tried to pull the police off of me and he was shot in the back with a tazer gun, but as soon as several others arrived on the scence, the police immediately withdrew off of me, people helped me and my son over to a vehicle where they pulled the darts out of his back. The police then got into their vehicles and on their way out I seen the female officer in the middle of the van with a big gun in her hands obviously ready to use it.
Everyone followed their vans to the front gate and the people walked the opp straight down argyle street south of the main gate and when they were far enough away, we pulled in a transport truck and shut the road down. We then blocked the road just north of the 6th line leading into our community.
The OPP have been continuosly reporting that they did not use any weapons other than pepper spray, that our people were armed etc., but when they moved in, the people were resting, some of them awakened from sleep and told to move out. We maintain that we did not break the Peace, the opp crossed the line and came into our lands fully packed with guns and other weapons with the intent to use them.
The situation was very tense but as I have told many many reporters today during interviews, "we upheld the Law that the Creator gave to us and are standing strong in front of Creation, honouring our Creator, our responsiblities according to the Kaierenekowah and Our Spirits and our hearts swelled with Pride.
We continue to keep the Peace, we have many supporters from many territories coming in to our aid and we want to send a Big Nya Weh to all of you, who, while you might not be here physically, all of the efforts through e-mails, letters etc., the food and other donations that you have been bringing in have touched our hearts tremendously, and through your support, you have helped in keeping that spirit alive and in the forefront. will talk to you soon. Our prayers are with all of you tonight as well.
Hazel.
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
Six Nations Land Rights . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
- Supporting Six Nations
Progress reported in talks with gov't / calm at protest site
by Six Nations Calm/Progress » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:10 am
Calm at the Protest Site - Progress in Official Talks - More Expressions of support . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 22, 2006(Updated April 24th and 25th)
There has been a positive breakthrough in talks involving Six Nations representatives and the Ontario and federal governments. It seems to be an agreement on the process to create a better overall process that will assist all parties in trying to address the land rights dispute.
It was reported that a deal has been struck that creates a framework for a process to assist in negotiations. This milestone involves consensus to provide a meaningful mandate to their negotiators to come to the table in two weeks prepared to work on a draft agreement.
One of the most signifcant developments is that the Six Nations Confederacy is participating in these important talks. It truly is historic, in the sense of government-to-government relations between Six Nations and Canada. In a rare scene, both the Confederacy and elected council are sitting at the same table negotiating with Canada and Ontario.
The Confederacy, and not the elected council that reports to Indian Affairs, represents the traditional Longhouse People, the Haudenosaunee known to many as the Iroquois Confederacy. Through the Clan Mothers, Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs and traditional protocols, they represent the sovereign Six Nations - the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Tuscarora nations.
At the protest site near Caledonia, Six Nations members and supporters reported calm, with the police keeping their distance and promising not to act. However, the RCMP confirmed Friday they are now involved, and providing assistance to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Mohawks from Tyendinaga demonstrated their support for their Six Nations relations by bringing the biggest railway corridor to a standstill for most of Friday. But when they were informed negotiations were going well, they halted their action near Marysville, Ontario. CN Rail had gone to court and was successful in getting an injunction that could have seen police called in to enforce it.
Delegates attending the 31st annual convention of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union denounced the provincial government and the Ontario Provincial Police for last week’s pre-dawn raid on First Nations protestors at Caledonia. They passed a resolution condemning the government and the OPP and demanded negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution to the issues in the dispute.
OPSEU President Leah Casselman stated, "The government and the OPP have failed to learn the lessons of Ipperwash . . . Our governments must negotiate, not escalate-".
Since the issue was debated by OPSEU at their convention, negotiators on both sides agreed to appoint a 'principal representative' and to develop within two weeks 'a detailed work plan and agreement that will provide for the implementation of constructive and effective ways to address and resolve the various outstanding issues'.
In the meantime, protesters have indicated they will maintain barricades around a construction site at the heart of the controversy. They are occupying land they believe belongs to them under a grant dating back to 1784. The province says the land was surrendered in 1841 to build a highway. The protest began Feb. 28th.
Union support for Six Nations has been obvious for some time now. In fact, at the Caledonia protest site, the local Steelworkers Union flag was seen flying high with the Mohawk warriors flag, illustrating the solidarity with the First Nations people in their land rights struggle, that has been described by many observors as a human rights issue.
In Port Elgin, Ontario this weekend at a large gathering - the Canadian Auto Workers Council, more than 800 delegates from coast to coast, voted
"to have governments remove police and find a peaceful solution to the dispute".
CAW president Buzz Hargrove urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper, "to ensure a responsible, peaceful and immediate end to the land claim dispute in Caledonia, Ontario".
Hargrove blasted Harper for escalating the overwhelming police presence in the dispute by having large numbers of RCMP officers dispatched to Caledonia.
"These actions have only served to inflame the peaceful actions of the native community who are defending their rights to reclaim their land," Hargrove states in an April 21 letter to Harper.
"Have the governments of the day not learned anything from the many previous disputes over native land claims? Peaceful negotiations, not police harassment and intimidation, is the way to proceed."
Hargrove called on the federal government to, " ensure all armed RCMP officers are withdrawn from the area immediately - stop issuing illegal possessions of land - set up a time-table for peaceful negotiations with the Six Nations people regarding their Caledonia land claim - set a fast track to work toward resolving all unsettled land claims in Canada".
"Historically the native community has been often discriminated against and no fair minded government should allow this shameful treatment of people to continue," Hargrove added. He also demanded that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty remove the OPP presence and peacefully end the dispute immediately.
In British Columbia, the Secwepemc Native Youth Movement set up information pickets along the Trans Canada Highway at the Neskonlith Reserve, "to show solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters at Six Nations, near Caledonia, Ontario.
We have set up camp and posted billboards, banners and Warrior flags to get the message out to the 10,000+ travellers per day that drive this highway. The billboards read -Stop OPP Terrorism . . . OPP out of SIX NATIONS . . . This land is all Indian Land. We have a common struggle with our Brothers and Sisters at Six Nations - we never surrendered our land to anyone. We claim jurisdiction throughout our whole territory".
The Six Nations protest in Ontario is about land rights. Some label it civil disobedience. Call it what you like, but it is obvious such action has become a necessary part of Aboriginal life in Canada.
To some degree, it is a successful tactic. Following Oka in 1990, there was an awakening. The federal and some provincial governments, scrambled to address Native issues - land claims, self-government and modern-day treaties. Although there was some progress, unfortunately a form of sleeping sickness invaded the bureaucracies. There was some subsequent slumbering, and due to political pendulum swinging, the engine of change stalled.
Supreme Court decisions sparked new awakenings. Still, governments or perhaps their civil servants, were not quick-studies and even today are trying to comprehend and accomodate, the realities of a new Aboriginal Canada.
Peaceful protests such as those at Six Nations are a necessary good - a means of ensuring governments and their charges, don’t snooze. After all, nobody wants another Oka or Ipperwash!
- - - - - - -
Nationwide Native Support for Six Nations - Police promise no further assault on protest site as political processes are put in place . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =6794#6794
Background
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 22, 2006(Updated April 24th and 25th)
There has been a positive breakthrough in talks involving Six Nations representatives and the Ontario and federal governments. It seems to be an agreement on the process to create a better overall process that will assist all parties in trying to address the land rights dispute.
It was reported that a deal has been struck that creates a framework for a process to assist in negotiations. This milestone involves consensus to provide a meaningful mandate to their negotiators to come to the table in two weeks prepared to work on a draft agreement.
One of the most signifcant developments is that the Six Nations Confederacy is participating in these important talks. It truly is historic, in the sense of government-to-government relations between Six Nations and Canada. In a rare scene, both the Confederacy and elected council are sitting at the same table negotiating with Canada and Ontario.
The Confederacy, and not the elected council that reports to Indian Affairs, represents the traditional Longhouse People, the Haudenosaunee known to many as the Iroquois Confederacy. Through the Clan Mothers, Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs and traditional protocols, they represent the sovereign Six Nations - the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Tuscarora nations.
At the protest site near Caledonia, Six Nations members and supporters reported calm, with the police keeping their distance and promising not to act. However, the RCMP confirmed Friday they are now involved, and providing assistance to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Mohawks from Tyendinaga demonstrated their support for their Six Nations relations by bringing the biggest railway corridor to a standstill for most of Friday. But when they were informed negotiations were going well, they halted their action near Marysville, Ontario. CN Rail had gone to court and was successful in getting an injunction that could have seen police called in to enforce it.
Delegates attending the 31st annual convention of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union denounced the provincial government and the Ontario Provincial Police for last week’s pre-dawn raid on First Nations protestors at Caledonia. They passed a resolution condemning the government and the OPP and demanded negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution to the issues in the dispute.
OPSEU President Leah Casselman stated, "The government and the OPP have failed to learn the lessons of Ipperwash . . . Our governments must negotiate, not escalate-".
Since the issue was debated by OPSEU at their convention, negotiators on both sides agreed to appoint a 'principal representative' and to develop within two weeks 'a detailed work plan and agreement that will provide for the implementation of constructive and effective ways to address and resolve the various outstanding issues'.
In the meantime, protesters have indicated they will maintain barricades around a construction site at the heart of the controversy. They are occupying land they believe belongs to them under a grant dating back to 1784. The province says the land was surrendered in 1841 to build a highway. The protest began Feb. 28th.
Union support for Six Nations has been obvious for some time now. In fact, at the Caledonia protest site, the local Steelworkers Union flag was seen flying high with the Mohawk warriors flag, illustrating the solidarity with the First Nations people in their land rights struggle, that has been described by many observors as a human rights issue.
In Port Elgin, Ontario this weekend at a large gathering - the Canadian Auto Workers Council, more than 800 delegates from coast to coast, voted
"to have governments remove police and find a peaceful solution to the dispute".
CAW president Buzz Hargrove urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper, "to ensure a responsible, peaceful and immediate end to the land claim dispute in Caledonia, Ontario".
Hargrove blasted Harper for escalating the overwhelming police presence in the dispute by having large numbers of RCMP officers dispatched to Caledonia.
"These actions have only served to inflame the peaceful actions of the native community who are defending their rights to reclaim their land," Hargrove states in an April 21 letter to Harper.
"Have the governments of the day not learned anything from the many previous disputes over native land claims? Peaceful negotiations, not police harassment and intimidation, is the way to proceed."
Hargrove called on the federal government to, " ensure all armed RCMP officers are withdrawn from the area immediately - stop issuing illegal possessions of land - set up a time-table for peaceful negotiations with the Six Nations people regarding their Caledonia land claim - set a fast track to work toward resolving all unsettled land claims in Canada".
"Historically the native community has been often discriminated against and no fair minded government should allow this shameful treatment of people to continue," Hargrove added. He also demanded that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty remove the OPP presence and peacefully end the dispute immediately.
In British Columbia, the Secwepemc Native Youth Movement set up information pickets along the Trans Canada Highway at the Neskonlith Reserve, "to show solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters at Six Nations, near Caledonia, Ontario.
We have set up camp and posted billboards, banners and Warrior flags to get the message out to the 10,000+ travellers per day that drive this highway. The billboards read -Stop OPP Terrorism . . . OPP out of SIX NATIONS . . . This land is all Indian Land. We have a common struggle with our Brothers and Sisters at Six Nations - we never surrendered our land to anyone. We claim jurisdiction throughout our whole territory".
The Six Nations protest in Ontario is about land rights. Some label it civil disobedience. Call it what you like, but it is obvious such action has become a necessary part of Aboriginal life in Canada.
To some degree, it is a successful tactic. Following Oka in 1990, there was an awakening. The federal and some provincial governments, scrambled to address Native issues - land claims, self-government and modern-day treaties. Although there was some progress, unfortunately a form of sleeping sickness invaded the bureaucracies. There was some subsequent slumbering, and due to political pendulum swinging, the engine of change stalled.
Supreme Court decisions sparked new awakenings. Still, governments or perhaps their civil servants, were not quick-studies and even today are trying to comprehend and accomodate, the realities of a new Aboriginal Canada.
Peaceful protests such as those at Six Nations are a necessary good - a means of ensuring governments and their charges, don’t snooze. After all, nobody wants another Oka or Ipperwash!
- - - - - - -
Nationwide Native Support for Six Nations - Police promise no further assault on protest site as political processes are put in place . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =6794#6794
Background
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
- Six Nations Calm/Progress
Six Nations Land Rights are a Matter of Human Rights
by Six Nations Human Rights » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:48 am
Six Nations Land Rights are a Matter of Human Rights . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 27, 2006
Land rights are human rights! Ignoring those rights is racial discrimination. That's not me saying it . . . the United Nations has stated it, and specifically related to Indigenous Peoples rights.
Doreen Silversmith, artist, freedom fighter, a Six Nations traditional woman - is on her way to Geneva, Switzerland to inform the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of her peoples troubles in Caledonia, Ontario.
I have no doubt she will be welcomed there with respect and understanding. Rest assured the officials will listen carefully to her words, knowing they are sincere and bear witness to the human rights breaches by the Government of Canada.
We know this is true because of the recent historic determination by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in the treatment by the U.S. government of the Western Shoshone People. Just as Six Nations fights the good fight over land rights, they too have struggled to hold on to control over ancestral lands. Now, there is international support. It is likely Six Nations will benefit from their experience.
Here is what the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said to the U.S. government, in its historic statement on Native Peoples land rights, "Freeze all efforts to privatize Western Shoshone ancestral lands for transfer to multinational extractive industries and energy developers - Desist from all activities planned and/or conducted on Western Shoshone ancestral lands".
Imagine how it would read, if we inserted Six Nations in place of Western Shoshone. We are hopeful the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights greets our sister Doreen Silversmith with the same enthusiasm as the Western Shoshone witnessed at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
University of British Columbia history professor Arthur Ray who is conducting intensive research on the subject, calls Aboriginal land claims, "Canada's biggest unresolved human rights issue".
MORE . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
April 27, 2006
Land rights are human rights! Ignoring those rights is racial discrimination. That's not me saying it . . . the United Nations has stated it, and specifically related to Indigenous Peoples rights.
Doreen Silversmith, artist, freedom fighter, a Six Nations traditional woman - is on her way to Geneva, Switzerland to inform the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of her peoples troubles in Caledonia, Ontario.
I have no doubt she will be welcomed there with respect and understanding. Rest assured the officials will listen carefully to her words, knowing they are sincere and bear witness to the human rights breaches by the Government of Canada.
We know this is true because of the recent historic determination by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in the treatment by the U.S. government of the Western Shoshone People. Just as Six Nations fights the good fight over land rights, they too have struggled to hold on to control over ancestral lands. Now, there is international support. It is likely Six Nations will benefit from their experience.
Here is what the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said to the U.S. government, in its historic statement on Native Peoples land rights, "Freeze all efforts to privatize Western Shoshone ancestral lands for transfer to multinational extractive industries and energy developers - Desist from all activities planned and/or conducted on Western Shoshone ancestral lands".
Imagine how it would read, if we inserted Six Nations in place of Western Shoshone. We are hopeful the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights greets our sister Doreen Silversmith with the same enthusiasm as the Western Shoshone witnessed at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
University of British Columbia history professor Arthur Ray who is conducting intensive research on the subject, calls Aboriginal land claims, "Canada's biggest unresolved human rights issue".
MORE . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
- Six Nations Human Rights
Six Nations protestors treated to non-native spectacle
by Noisy but Peaceful Rally » Sat May 06, 2006 9:17 am
Non-native Friday Night Spectacle - Noisy - Peaceful Rally at Caledonia Protest Site . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 6, 2006
Here is an excerpt from the Six Nations update by Hazel Hill at the Caledonia site, "There was alot of hoopla over nothing last night as far as the Caledonia Rally was concerned. No sheets, alot of noise and some rumblings about busting through the police lines but all was quiet and over probably by 11pm . . .
Our people were well represented and majority stayed back near the main gate as was suggested by security to show that we are maintaing the peace, respecting their right to rally, and there was drumming, laughter and basically time to socialize . . .
This weekend there are a few clan meetings happening, grand council this morning, and tomorrow there is a gathering of the people called for 1 pm at Chiefswood Park. The idea is to come as people only, remove titles and any other labels at the gate, and come together as a people. It is a good attempt at removing the barriers of division that have existed for a long time at Six Nations. The people are determined to unite in peace, and I am very proud of everyone who has taken an active roll in seeing that this happens . . .
We should have more of an idea as to who will be sitting at the table when the talks start. We know the province of Ontario has appointed Jane Stewart, and Canada has appointed Barbara Mcdougall. Our people are still discussing who is going to be the voice of the people. It should all be worked out by Tuesday morning when talks are to resume . . . We are One and We will Continue as One".
Tom Keefer, who witnessed the Friday night rally by non-natives reported, "The good news is that it was a lot smaller, about half the size of the gathering last Friday. The gathering was also a lot more subdued, with no fire barrel, and very little in the way of chanting, air horns and public drunkenness . . .
There was one ugly incident when a Native woman crossed from the Six Nations side and was verbally attacked by a crowd of white people as she was escorted through by police. Following this incident, a few townspeople marched to the front of the police line and had a verbal confrontation with the cops demanding to be similarly let through the Native lines but this just ended up being an argument with the police /as well as a few non-native Caledonians who were trying to talk some sense into the racists . . .
There was no sign of any overt and organized neo-Nazi presence at the rally and many of the townspeople protesting tried to make the argument that they weren't racist, but just wanted the road open. One protester pointed out that since there were a half-dozen people of color in the protest, the demonstration was multicultural and not racist . . .
I think that it is safe to assume that because of the publicization of the KKK leaflets, a fair number of local residents did not come to the protest. At the height of the protest at around 8:30 p.m. there were about 350 townspeople. That declined to about 200 people at 9:30 p.m. and less than 100 people at 10:30 p.m . . .
I went expecting it to be extremely tense and that townspeople would confront -outsiders- but it was really quite subdued.
There was a major OPP presence of at least 100 officers on the line blocking highway Six and a few dozen more in uniform sprinkled throughout the crowd."
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 6, 2006
Here is an excerpt from the Six Nations update by Hazel Hill at the Caledonia site, "There was alot of hoopla over nothing last night as far as the Caledonia Rally was concerned. No sheets, alot of noise and some rumblings about busting through the police lines but all was quiet and over probably by 11pm . . .
Our people were well represented and majority stayed back near the main gate as was suggested by security to show that we are maintaing the peace, respecting their right to rally, and there was drumming, laughter and basically time to socialize . . .
This weekend there are a few clan meetings happening, grand council this morning, and tomorrow there is a gathering of the people called for 1 pm at Chiefswood Park. The idea is to come as people only, remove titles and any other labels at the gate, and come together as a people. It is a good attempt at removing the barriers of division that have existed for a long time at Six Nations. The people are determined to unite in peace, and I am very proud of everyone who has taken an active roll in seeing that this happens . . .
We should have more of an idea as to who will be sitting at the table when the talks start. We know the province of Ontario has appointed Jane Stewart, and Canada has appointed Barbara Mcdougall. Our people are still discussing who is going to be the voice of the people. It should all be worked out by Tuesday morning when talks are to resume . . . We are One and We will Continue as One".
Tom Keefer, who witnessed the Friday night rally by non-natives reported, "The good news is that it was a lot smaller, about half the size of the gathering last Friday. The gathering was also a lot more subdued, with no fire barrel, and very little in the way of chanting, air horns and public drunkenness . . .
There was one ugly incident when a Native woman crossed from the Six Nations side and was verbally attacked by a crowd of white people as she was escorted through by police. Following this incident, a few townspeople marched to the front of the police line and had a verbal confrontation with the cops demanding to be similarly let through the Native lines but this just ended up being an argument with the police /as well as a few non-native Caledonians who were trying to talk some sense into the racists . . .
There was no sign of any overt and organized neo-Nazi presence at the rally and many of the townspeople protesting tried to make the argument that they weren't racist, but just wanted the road open. One protester pointed out that since there were a half-dozen people of color in the protest, the demonstration was multicultural and not racist . . .
I think that it is safe to assume that because of the publicization of the KKK leaflets, a fair number of local residents did not come to the protest. At the height of the protest at around 8:30 p.m. there were about 350 townspeople. That declined to about 200 people at 9:30 p.m. and less than 100 people at 10:30 p.m . . .
I went expecting it to be extremely tense and that townspeople would confront -outsiders- but it was really quite subdued.
There was a major OPP presence of at least 100 officers on the line blocking highway Six and a few dozen more in uniform sprinkled throughout the crowd."
- Noisy but Peaceful Rally
Music and Marching - part of the ongoing Six Nations support
by Support for Six Nations » Wed May 10, 2006 9:43 am
Six Nations receives more support - from marchers, and musicians . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 10, 2006
Knock knock. Whose there? Six Nations supporters!
If the Governor General is at home in Ottawa this weekend, we hope she will continue to make an effort to listen to First Nation peoples concerns - something she has focused on during her provincial visits across the country.
Aboriginal women in Ottawa plan to march on the Governor General's official residence at Noon, Saturday, May 13th. Marchers plan to gather at the park near St. Patrick’s Bridge and the Vanier Parkway.
Organizers from the Aboriginal community in Ottawa explained, "In solidarity with the people of Six Nations and in struggle with all First Nations across Turtle Island, the people of Ottawa are going to the Queen’s representative to demand an immediate solution to land rights disputes everywhere. Treaties made between the Six Nations and the British Crown are being trampled by governments that didn’t exist. Neither the Federal nor Provincial governments have jurisdiction on Six Nations land near Caledonia. Because thousands of heavily armed police have surrounded an unarmed camp of people for nearly a month, we march. Because the Canadian government is continually responsible for human rights
abuses of indigenous communities, we march. Because racist rallies are happening in the countryside, we march. Stop the Attack on all First Nations. Recognize Land Rights Across Canada!"
A Tyendinaga Mohawk musician and artist, David Maracle has issued a challenge to Native entertainers to come together in support of land rights at Six Nations.
"I am calling all my fellow Aboriginal musicians, entertainers and artists to band together to show OUR support, and give back to OUR communities, and do a Benefit concert up in Six Nations, at the Site of Reclamation. I am trying to establish interest in this initial contact."
Maracle explained he has received an overwhelming response for this free concert. Everyone will come on their own dime, "but we have been assured that their will be plenty of food and camping space available. We as Aboriginal Artists, have clout and will have the EYE of the Media and the Eyes of the World upon us. We can make a difference right now."
Maracle can be reached at 613-396-2767, or cell at 613-391-5132.
- - - - - - -
Calling all Indigenous Performers, Entertainers, Artists to support Six Nations Reclamation of "Kanenhstaton" (the protected place)
We invite our Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Allies to a:
CONCERT FRIDAY, JUNE 16TH, AT SIX NATIONS (Chiefswood Park), STARTING AT NOON
As you know, we are trying to reclaim all our land and to stop the illegal construction of a housing project on Six Nations land. The reclamation started on February 28th, 2006 and will continue for sometime to come. We need your continued help, solidarity and support to stand with us. Our Indigenous artists would be honored to entertain all our brothers, sisters, friends and allies by inviting you all to a Benefit Concert in Support of Six Nations. Admittance to the concert will be by cash donation.
We appreciate all the Indigenous artists and musicians who have already signed up. We continue to call on our fellow musicians, entertainers and artists to perform.
You will have until May 31, 2006 to confirm your availability and support for that day. We are still looking for performers in traditional, contemporary, rock and roll, country, rap, blues, drummers and so on.
All performers know that they will be doing this on their own dime. Well known Indigenous Actor, Gary Farmer,(Pow Wow Highway, Smoke Signals) and Indigenous Actress/Singer Chevei Maracle have confirmed their support as MC for this benefit. You are all welcome to come, support us and enjoy some of the finest Indigenous talent. Rest assured there will be plenty of food and camping space available. Indigenous artists can make a difference. Let's all take a stand together.
IT’S FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURE. WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHERE WE CAME FROM. We need to rally behind Six Nations and the People.
Please send this on to your fellow Indigenous Musicians, Artists, Entertainers, etc. We want to show Unity among our Peoples and our supporters across Canada. LET’S TURN THIS INTO AN INDIGENOUS “WOODSTOCK FOR UNITY” TO STOP THEFT AND INJUSTICES ON OUR NATIVE LAND.
NEEDED: donations of large tents for dancers, security, sound equipment, stage, medical supplies, hats, light weight shirts, water, wood, cash, lawn chairs, fresh nutritious food, home made plates, baked goods, meats. We want everybody to eat well.
One gentleman has already donated a whole cow, for a big beef roast. Keep up the great work everyone. Is there anyone out there willing to donate a pig or two for roasting as well??????
Please contact our Events Coordinator, Tuesday Johnson-MacDonald, of TAP Resources (519-445-1794) tapresources@bellnet.ca on how you can help, and where to send donations, food, etc.
PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
David R. Maracle, Tehenneiakwetarons, Native Expressions, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory www.davidrmaracle.com
Artists contact David R. Maracle before May 31, 2006 to confirm your appearance as a performer, 613-396-2767, davidrmaracle@aol.com
- - - - - - -
More about Six Nations Land Rights
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 10, 2006
Knock knock. Whose there? Six Nations supporters!
If the Governor General is at home in Ottawa this weekend, we hope she will continue to make an effort to listen to First Nation peoples concerns - something she has focused on during her provincial visits across the country.
Aboriginal women in Ottawa plan to march on the Governor General's official residence at Noon, Saturday, May 13th. Marchers plan to gather at the park near St. Patrick’s Bridge and the Vanier Parkway.
Organizers from the Aboriginal community in Ottawa explained, "In solidarity with the people of Six Nations and in struggle with all First Nations across Turtle Island, the people of Ottawa are going to the Queen’s representative to demand an immediate solution to land rights disputes everywhere. Treaties made between the Six Nations and the British Crown are being trampled by governments that didn’t exist. Neither the Federal nor Provincial governments have jurisdiction on Six Nations land near Caledonia. Because thousands of heavily armed police have surrounded an unarmed camp of people for nearly a month, we march. Because the Canadian government is continually responsible for human rights
abuses of indigenous communities, we march. Because racist rallies are happening in the countryside, we march. Stop the Attack on all First Nations. Recognize Land Rights Across Canada!"
A Tyendinaga Mohawk musician and artist, David Maracle has issued a challenge to Native entertainers to come together in support of land rights at Six Nations.
"I am calling all my fellow Aboriginal musicians, entertainers and artists to band together to show OUR support, and give back to OUR communities, and do a Benefit concert up in Six Nations, at the Site of Reclamation. I am trying to establish interest in this initial contact."
Maracle explained he has received an overwhelming response for this free concert. Everyone will come on their own dime, "but we have been assured that their will be plenty of food and camping space available. We as Aboriginal Artists, have clout and will have the EYE of the Media and the Eyes of the World upon us. We can make a difference right now."
Maracle can be reached at 613-396-2767, or cell at 613-391-5132.
- - - - - - -
Calling all Indigenous Performers, Entertainers, Artists to support Six Nations Reclamation of "Kanenhstaton" (the protected place)
We invite our Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Allies to a:
CONCERT FRIDAY, JUNE 16TH, AT SIX NATIONS (Chiefswood Park), STARTING AT NOON
As you know, we are trying to reclaim all our land and to stop the illegal construction of a housing project on Six Nations land. The reclamation started on February 28th, 2006 and will continue for sometime to come. We need your continued help, solidarity and support to stand with us. Our Indigenous artists would be honored to entertain all our brothers, sisters, friends and allies by inviting you all to a Benefit Concert in Support of Six Nations. Admittance to the concert will be by cash donation.
We appreciate all the Indigenous artists and musicians who have already signed up. We continue to call on our fellow musicians, entertainers and artists to perform.
You will have until May 31, 2006 to confirm your availability and support for that day. We are still looking for performers in traditional, contemporary, rock and roll, country, rap, blues, drummers and so on.
All performers know that they will be doing this on their own dime. Well known Indigenous Actor, Gary Farmer,(Pow Wow Highway, Smoke Signals) and Indigenous Actress/Singer Chevei Maracle have confirmed their support as MC for this benefit. You are all welcome to come, support us and enjoy some of the finest Indigenous talent. Rest assured there will be plenty of food and camping space available. Indigenous artists can make a difference. Let's all take a stand together.
IT’S FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURE. WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHERE WE CAME FROM. We need to rally behind Six Nations and the People.
Please send this on to your fellow Indigenous Musicians, Artists, Entertainers, etc. We want to show Unity among our Peoples and our supporters across Canada. LET’S TURN THIS INTO AN INDIGENOUS “WOODSTOCK FOR UNITY” TO STOP THEFT AND INJUSTICES ON OUR NATIVE LAND.
NEEDED: donations of large tents for dancers, security, sound equipment, stage, medical supplies, hats, light weight shirts, water, wood, cash, lawn chairs, fresh nutritious food, home made plates, baked goods, meats. We want everybody to eat well.
One gentleman has already donated a whole cow, for a big beef roast. Keep up the great work everyone. Is there anyone out there willing to donate a pig or two for roasting as well??????
Please contact our Events Coordinator, Tuesday Johnson-MacDonald, of TAP Resources (519-445-1794) tapresources@bellnet.ca on how you can help, and where to send donations, food, etc.
PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
David R. Maracle, Tehenneiakwetarons, Native Expressions, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory www.davidrmaracle.com
Artists contact David R. Maracle before May 31, 2006 to confirm your appearance as a performer, 613-396-2767, davidrmaracle@aol.com
- - - - - - -
More about Six Nations Land Rights
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
- Support for Six Nations
Land rights progress reported
by Progress at Six Nations » Wed May 17, 2006 8:32 pm
Moving Forward - Progress Reported!
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 17, 2006
Six Nations land rights progress this week - includes a moratorium on development activities of the Douglas Creek Estates, and the agreement by the Ontario Government to turn over title of the Burtch lands - lands of the former Burtch Correctional Facility.
The provincial government also promised to conduct a complete environmental review of the lands to ensure health and safety for Six Nations access to the lands. In exchange, the Six Nations Confederacy has agreed to move toward more dismantling of the protest barricades in Caledonia, providing greater access routes in the area.
The progress was confirmed in writing by former premier David Peterson, and David Ramsay the Minister of Natural Resources and responsible for Aboriginal Affairs in Ontario.
Formal letters were sent to the Confederacy.
- - - - - - -
May 16, 2006
Barricades PARTIALLY Removed
Show of Good Faith by Six Nations Confederacy
A route has been cleared for better access to the local hospital.
- - - - - - -
Negotiation Updates
http://www.reclamationinfo.com/negotiat ... ations.php
- - - - - - -
May 15, 2006
PSAC Stands in Solidarity with Six Nations Protesters
The recent standoff in Caledonia, Ontario is merely a symptom of a much greater problem – the disdainful manner by which elected governments address Aboriginal land claims.
Aboriginal peoples in Canada have waited long enough for their treaty rights to be recognized and land claims dealt with. The Six Nations filed a claim to the land in 1995 and 10 years later, with the claim still unresolved, the Ontario government gave Henco Industries the go-ahead to begin development on the disputed land.
It was this decision by the Ontario Government that prompted the Six Nations to reclaim the land on February 28, 2006. The members of the Six Nations remained on the land in peaceful protest for 51 days until the OPP escalated the tense situation by raiding the protester's camp in the early morning of April 20, 2006, only one day after Premier McGuinty promised a peaceful resolution to this dispute. The protest is now in its 76th day.
The PSAC calls on the government to negotiate meaningfully and to peacefully resolve the Six Nations land claim as well as all current and future Aboriginal land claims. The PSAC feels that if this and other land claims were dealt with in a fair and timely manner, the most recent standoff in Caledonia, as well as the tragedies that occurred in Ipperwash, Oka, and Gustafsen Lake, could have been avoided.
Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada stand in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples seeking peaceful resolutions to Aborignal land claims in Canada.
- - - - - - -
Caledonia Citizens' Alliance connects directly to Peterson and Ramsay
TORONTO, May 15, 2006
Caledonia Citizens' Alliance members Don Bowman, Jason Clark and Ralph Luimes met with David Peterson on Friday to discuss the ongoing negotiations concerning the road blockade in Caledonia. This meeting
has resulted in the newly formed Caledonia Citizens' Alliance continuing to
forge ahead in advancing its goal to ensure one strong citizens voice for the residents of Caledonia.
At the Alliance meeting on Monday Jason Clark noted that, "David Peterson assured the Alliance that the land in question would not be given directly to the natives in his negotiations." Mr. Clark also reported that a
representative from the Alliance would be given a seat at the working group table headed by Jane Stewart and Barbara McDougall dealing with the long-term land claim issue. Mr. Peterson also indicated to Clark that the Citizens' Alliance will be given appropriate updates regarding ongoing talks.
Following the meeting the Provincial Minister responsible for Aboriginal
Affairs, the Honorable David Ramsay contacted Mr. Clark expressing his
appreciation regarding the formation of the Caledonia Citizens' Alliance and
indicating his approval of the groups calm approach to a difficult situation.
Alliance chair, Don Bowman stated he "would like to assure all citizens
of Caledonia that the Alliance is working to protect and promote the long term integrity of the community of Caledonia." To this end, Mr. Bowman also confirmed the establishment of an Economic Development and Recovery sub-committee to address economic issues arising from the standoff. The sub-committee chaired by Darren Rezansoff will work closely with Haldimand County and Provincial Representatives to formulate a promotional and economic recovery plan.
A website, www.caledoniacitizensalliance.com will be fully functional by
Wednesday. At that time a phone line will be set up to facilitate the
communication of information for the citizens of Caledonia and allow for
feedback to be obtained
Mr. Bowman declared, "The Alliance appreciates the opportunity to meet
with Provincial representatives, however we continue to stress our need to
meet with the local Member of Parliament, the Honorable Diane Finley in
helping to find a solution to the Douglas Estate protest and road blockage."
For further information: Sandy Clark, (905) 765-4408
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
May 17, 2006
Six Nations land rights progress this week - includes a moratorium on development activities of the Douglas Creek Estates, and the agreement by the Ontario Government to turn over title of the Burtch lands - lands of the former Burtch Correctional Facility.
The provincial government also promised to conduct a complete environmental review of the lands to ensure health and safety for Six Nations access to the lands. In exchange, the Six Nations Confederacy has agreed to move toward more dismantling of the protest barricades in Caledonia, providing greater access routes in the area.
The progress was confirmed in writing by former premier David Peterson, and David Ramsay the Minister of Natural Resources and responsible for Aboriginal Affairs in Ontario.
Formal letters were sent to the Confederacy.
- - - - - - -
May 16, 2006
Barricades PARTIALLY Removed
Show of Good Faith by Six Nations Confederacy
A route has been cleared for better access to the local hospital.
- - - - - - -
Negotiation Updates
http://www.reclamationinfo.com/negotiat ... ations.php
- - - - - - -
May 15, 2006
PSAC Stands in Solidarity with Six Nations Protesters
The recent standoff in Caledonia, Ontario is merely a symptom of a much greater problem – the disdainful manner by which elected governments address Aboriginal land claims.
Aboriginal peoples in Canada have waited long enough for their treaty rights to be recognized and land claims dealt with. The Six Nations filed a claim to the land in 1995 and 10 years later, with the claim still unresolved, the Ontario government gave Henco Industries the go-ahead to begin development on the disputed land.
It was this decision by the Ontario Government that prompted the Six Nations to reclaim the land on February 28, 2006. The members of the Six Nations remained on the land in peaceful protest for 51 days until the OPP escalated the tense situation by raiding the protester's camp in the early morning of April 20, 2006, only one day after Premier McGuinty promised a peaceful resolution to this dispute. The protest is now in its 76th day.
The PSAC calls on the government to negotiate meaningfully and to peacefully resolve the Six Nations land claim as well as all current and future Aboriginal land claims. The PSAC feels that if this and other land claims were dealt with in a fair and timely manner, the most recent standoff in Caledonia, as well as the tragedies that occurred in Ipperwash, Oka, and Gustafsen Lake, could have been avoided.
Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada stand in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples seeking peaceful resolutions to Aborignal land claims in Canada.
- - - - - - -
Caledonia Citizens' Alliance connects directly to Peterson and Ramsay
TORONTO, May 15, 2006
Caledonia Citizens' Alliance members Don Bowman, Jason Clark and Ralph Luimes met with David Peterson on Friday to discuss the ongoing negotiations concerning the road blockade in Caledonia. This meeting
has resulted in the newly formed Caledonia Citizens' Alliance continuing to
forge ahead in advancing its goal to ensure one strong citizens voice for the residents of Caledonia.
At the Alliance meeting on Monday Jason Clark noted that, "David Peterson assured the Alliance that the land in question would not be given directly to the natives in his negotiations." Mr. Clark also reported that a
representative from the Alliance would be given a seat at the working group table headed by Jane Stewart and Barbara McDougall dealing with the long-term land claim issue. Mr. Peterson also indicated to Clark that the Citizens' Alliance will be given appropriate updates regarding ongoing talks.
Following the meeting the Provincial Minister responsible for Aboriginal
Affairs, the Honorable David Ramsay contacted Mr. Clark expressing his
appreciation regarding the formation of the Caledonia Citizens' Alliance and
indicating his approval of the groups calm approach to a difficult situation.
Alliance chair, Don Bowman stated he "would like to assure all citizens
of Caledonia that the Alliance is working to protect and promote the long term integrity of the community of Caledonia." To this end, Mr. Bowman also confirmed the establishment of an Economic Development and Recovery sub-committee to address economic issues arising from the standoff. The sub-committee chaired by Darren Rezansoff will work closely with Haldimand County and Provincial Representatives to formulate a promotional and economic recovery plan.
A website, www.caledoniacitizensalliance.com will be fully functional by
Wednesday. At that time a phone line will be set up to facilitate the
communication of information for the citizens of Caledonia and allow for
feedback to be obtained
Mr. Bowman declared, "The Alliance appreciates the opportunity to meet
with Provincial representatives, however we continue to stress our need to
meet with the local Member of Parliament, the Honorable Diane Finley in
helping to find a solution to the Douglas Estate protest and road blockage."
For further information: Sandy Clark, (905) 765-4408
- Progress at Six Nations
Six Nations Land Reclamation
by SXN LandReclamationUpdate » Mon May 29, 2006 3:49 pm
Plans are moving ahead swiftly and successfuly for the June 16th benefit Concert to Support the Six Nations Land Reclamation.
DETAILS
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
Updates from Hazel Hill
May 31, 2006
Good Morning from Grand River. When I woke up this morning all I could see was the fog and dampness that surrounded everything. Kind of echoed my mood of impending doom. My thoughts were along the lines of "what are they up to?" For the past week since the deadline of May 31st kept creeping closer, my heart became heavier and my mind could not escape the thoughts of the government and their continued use of force against our people when they are placed in a situation of having to tell the world the truth, or continue on their path of assimilation and genocide. Then I hear that judge marshall has ordered a hearing of all parties concerned with what they call "douglas creek" . He wants to know WHY no one is enforcing his ruling and listening to him and his law. Apparently the rail line got an injunction on May 4th to have the barricade that we have on the rail line removed, and marshall wants to know why they opp haven't taken action on that, and of course why they haven't taken action on the original 3 injunctions to have us removed from the land reclamation site. By the way it is now being call Kanenhstaton (the protected place)
To my knowledge, none of our people have any intention of going to this hearing. How could we? I was asked so many times yesterday by news reporters of what I thought of what marshall was saying and was I going to the hearing. My response was "I cannot accede jurisdiction to another government or another law". They wanted to know what that meant, "does that mean you're not going?" I just repeated my words and told them it means what it means. I think they got the picture. Many people are talking about going to the court house, and not going into court, but standing together outside, as if to say, "we're here, but we're telling you that you don't have the authority to enforce your laws upon us". It would be a subtle attempt to slap in the face so to speak. Anyway, the message will be loud and clear either way.
This morning has been a struggle to say the least! This is my third
attempt at getting this up-date out. I would get so far, and each time my
computer would all of a sudden black out and shut down. I was warned that one of our "supporters" could be working for the government and has sent out these viruses to crash all of our computers. Not too far fetched when you think of how the computer has been able to connect all of our people from coast to coast in solidarity and support for us here. This little
instrument has been the key to getting the message out to all of our
brothers and sisters across the world so it wouldn't surprise me one bit if
they have master minded yet again another strategy to shut us up. SOOOO, watch what you open. Can't say as I know where it is coming from or even if it is true, just an awareness to share.
Anyway, as I was typing this morning and feeling nothing but despair and
worry, all of a sudden I felt this light from my peripheral vision first,
and then I could feel it on my face. I was sitting next to a sliding glass
door that opens to the east, and when I looked out, I could see the sun
slowly peeking its way through those clouds. Then I was reminded that
everything was ok. We have yet another day. A new beginning. It's like a message coming through those dark clouds that we are not alone. The Creator is watching and there is a plan in place even if we don't know what it is.
As long as we all continue on the path that we are on. Upholding the Law,
upholding the Peace, trusting and honouring Creation and continuing on
together as ONE. It's ok. Sometimes I get so caught up in wondering what "they" are up to, I forget that our only responsibility is to the Creator.
When we TRUST in the Creator, in ourselves and each other as Onkwehonweh, then it doesn't matter what they do. I know in my heart that what we are doing is for the highest good of our people and no matter what, we have to continue. As we talked around the fire and around the site last night, I had many people sharing different things. One of which was a message this young man had received from his mother who has now passed on. it was asimple but significant message at this time in our lives. "the Creator is coming".
A few of us talked about prophecies we had heard, and while I'm not sure of the exact wording of the prophecy, I remember hearing the Hopi prophecy where they talk about a time when we would reach a crossroad. Where the Onkwehonweh will have to choose. We either go back to the earth, our roots, and learn to live from the earth and all that she provides for us, or continue on the path of money and power, the latter of which will
eventually lead to that next war. When I first heard that prophecy probably 10 years ago, I thought "yeah right" we're all gonna die cause no one is going to give up that dollar. It is easy to see now how wrong I was. Our people have come together in peace and solidarity, not because we see a financial gain in what we are doing, but we have come together to protect the land. The very essence of our beings and for the good of our future.
For the unborn children. We ARE doing what we have been instructed to do. Not from any individual but from the spirit within. So, for that, this
morning I am grateful, my heart is now uplifted again and I can look to
today with anticipation.
Yesterday was a good day. If you caught the news, our people went up the Brantford Charity Casino to hand out flyers and remind the Crown that, that land that the Casino is on is our land too. That the haldimand tract runs from its' mouth to its source six miles on either side and that Brantford was told before they even began any construction there that the Six Nations maintain that as unceded territory. Naturally the press wanted to know if we were saying that we should have a share in the revenues from the casino. I told them that we were not there because of the money.
We were there to make a point. To educate the Canadian people that the land was ours and that the unceded territory is not just the one little piece that we have reclaimed near 'caledonia'. It was also set up yesterday because our delegates were back at the table with the crowns representatives from the feds and prov beginning the talks. You probably all have heard by now that Peterson is trying to go back on the agreement that was reached to get the first barricade down. He is trying to say that the Burtch property was only being returned if all three barricades came down. This happened at a meeting with him on Monday, and our delegates basically told him to go home and do some research because that is not the agreement that we made and that is not the understanding of our people. So during yesterdays talks with Jane Stewart and this new guy Ron Doering (he was sitting in for Barbara McDougall); Allen McNaughton read a statement to them that basically said "the actions of the government of Ontario in the negotiations of a peaceful resolution to the land right issues within Six Nations territory are dishonorable".
He reminded them of the agreement that had been reached and that apparently David Peterson has no authority to resolve the issue, and that his actions does not bode well for the re-establishment of our relations. Good job delegates! He reminded them as well that we have a
relationship with our Chiefs and delegates based on trust and respect, and
if their (the government's) actions cause the people to question the honor
of our Chiefs/Delegates, then the people will take matters into their own
hands. I hope they got the message.
There has been a lot of concern as well about this letter that is
circulating from the "Mohawk Nation of Grand River" signed by Edwin S. Hill (Ted Squire) for those who don't know. This was brought to the fire on
Monday because it is believed that this letter has reached the government
officials and could jeopardize the talks and progress that we have made as
Onkwehonweh. While we all know and understand that one clan cannot speak for a nation and that there is a process within our law to deal with any problem that arises, this letter that is circulating basically means
nothing. It is only paper. It is not the law. For those "Mohawks" of the
Orreregowah Clan, it is up to you to address these people who have put this letter out. To my knowledge, there has been no Mohawk Nation meeting called to invite ALL Mohawks of all the territories to send out any such correspondence, and again, it is just an attempt to discredit the people who sit at the discussion table on our behalf. I have continually tried to remind people, including some of those who support this letter, that it doesn't matter who is sitting at the table, they carry the voice of our
people, and we are the one's who are making the decisions. For some of our people, they have no problem trusting that.
For others, for reasons known only to them, they chose to undermine and try to destroy what is good. It seems these people feel threatened by the fact that Allen MacNaughton is sitting at the table. They bring forward these papers to indicate somehow that he is not a chief etc., etc. we have been hearing this for over 20 years. From what I know Allen and his mother were condoled through the longhouse. Given that, if there is a problem with him, it is his clan that must deal with it. Not the orreregowah wolf clan, and not the rest of the confederacy. There is a process and protocol that must be followed within the teachings and the Law, and as far as I know, this has never been done.
So, my advice to everyone, is as I said, it means nothing. It's only paper.
(remember, even Pope John Paul II the crowns former spiritual advisor,
reminded the world that "it's not the law, it's only paper). He knew that
the crowns laws were only created to undermine the True Law of the Land ,the Kaierenekwah. This letter is no different. As far as the damage that
might have been done to our position with 'negotiations' and the land
reclamation; the other government that they send their correspondence to has nothing to do with the internal politics and structure of our house. We
know that we have to work hard to re-build our house, but it is not for
their government to interfere. The people have sent our delegates there in good faith, and we will continue to support them. Anyone who has a concern of any matter with respect to what we are doing and the decisions that are being made, are welcome to join us at the fire. Alan, Jock, Joe and the rest of them, have been fulfilling their obligations to the people by
carrying our voices forward. They have not made any agreements without
coming back to the fire and I believe that they will continue with the
process that was given to us. It appears that many people want to throw a
monkey wrench into what we are doing rather than joining us and working
together. Remember, the Law when it was given was for all Onkwehonweh, and the original league of nations, our confederacy was symbolically tied together with those bundle of arrows. Take one arrow out and try to stand alone it is easily defeated. Keeping them bound together it cannot be broken. Not only that, we have called on all of the Onkwehonweh Nations of the World to join us in upholding our Law and upholding the Peace. We are proceeding together as ONE, and we are continuing, regardless of the attempts of a few. To me, it doesn't matter who you are. My understanding of that peace and that tree is those four white roots reach out in the four directions. Anyone who chooses to take solace under that tree and live according to the Law of Creation, can take shelter and live as indicated. If I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me.
Next meeting with the delegates is scheduled for Friday. As soon as I know what marshall has up his sleeve with the hearing today, I will let everyone know. It is no good to live in fear and wonder if he is going to send in the army and opp. it is for us to be prepared all across the world, if they so chose to act irresponsibly, then we will remind them that Six Nations is not alone. Have a good day, keep the peace and stay strong!
hazel
Hello from Grand River
May 28th, 2006
Things are pretty quiet around the site these days. Maybe too quiet. I've been reading alot in the surrounding newspapers. Caledonia mayor Marie Trainer was quoted this week as saying the army should be brought in. One of her councillors thinks that the government should just cut off all of the funding that comes into the territory. "cut off the tax exempt cards, cut off the monthly cheques, cut off the food banks..." (I still wonder where they get the idea that monthly cheques come to our people.)
My response to those types of suggestions is "you're absolutely right!", but first the crown should pay the billions and billions of dollars owed on land leases, the taxes collected on our land, the resources taken from our land and compensations for the destruction of the lands stolen and abused etc. etc.
If the crown paid her debt to our people there would be no need for the scraps that come to our people through their government structure. and then there is the interest monies on top of all that. When canada pays her debt we'll gladly get rid of all of those other things. Wonder if Canadians realize they've been duped? They talk as if we are a burden to them. Like they're supporting us. Does it not occur to them that they are the burden. They have been freeloading off our lands and resources for thousands of years.
Even IF, and I say if because we know that the land "surrenders" are fraudulent, But IF the 1841 surrender was real, where is the money???????
They have never paid for one single lease that they have obtained throughout history (to my knowledge anyway). When you lease a car and don't pay for it what happens.....they take it back. That's exactly what we did with our lands. In fact, we should be ready to re-possess the whole Haldimand and then let PM Harper say that it's not a federal matter. and as far as mayor trainer's irresponsible remarks about bringing in the army.....guess she doesn't think much of her citizens in Caledonia if she really wants a war zone in her back yard. And they call us terrorists!
Then she was quoted as saying that the natives damaged the hydro station causing the power outage in Caledonia, Six Nations, Hagersville etc. "it was definitely natives" trainer said friday (quoted from the Brantford Expositor)
The fact of the matter is that there is no way anyone will no for certain whether it was natives or non-natives who did the damage because all of
our people were up on the front line, and ANYONE could have done the damage. We had removed the barricade at #6 hwy and 6th line the night before, and the O.P.P. were the only ones at the end of #6 (argyle st) and #6 bypass. We had opened up the road for pete's sake and she is trying to say that she knows it was natives.
All throughout this reclamation we have had non-native shit disturbers sneaking into the camp for one purpose and one purpose only, to try to discredit and disrupt the peace. We have had the army dude who admitted to shooting one of our men in the face a few day's before he was caught. We have the idiots in camoflauge on four wheelers taunting our men and the opp trying to incite the war. They brought their video camera with them and proudly turned it over to tv 11 but for some reason were ashamed enough to want to have their faces hidden. and they are the jackasses who threw rocks over the bi-pass and could have potentially killed someone but blamed it on our men because their camera caught one of our men throwing something back at them. look at the direction of the throw and look at where the barricade was. we were over half way over the #54 hwy so there is no way we caused any damage to any vehicles. it was all a set-up. and then there was the fire at the barn across the road the night after the police raid on April 20th.
Even the farmer believes it was non-natives who were trying to make it look like we were vandalizing the neighbourhood. and yet our men are the ones who went to put out the fire even before the fire trucks arrived. On Thursday nite we were accused of shining laser lights and shooting off firecrackers and rattling the nerves of the opp. Next night they caught 3 non-native punks with their firecrackers and bottle rockets after having fired off a few, again to try and incite the war.
We are continuously having to deal with this type of action and yet do we retaliate? no. we keep the peace. we turn over the idiots when we catch them in our camp. we could beat the crap out of them and teach them a lesson and i'll tell you, i give our men the deepest respect and credit for NOT doing it! and why shouldn't we? do you see us going into caledonia and acting like idiots? do we sneak around trying to incite a war? we have kept the peace. we are upholding our Law and yet we are criminalized for it.
To me the criminals are the ones who refuse to look at the truth. They make ignorant comments like "just because your ancestors sold the land for beads and now you're crying about it" and other stupid remarks that a kindergarten child would say in a playground fight. I hope Stephen Harper and Marie Trainer realize that we are beyond kindergarten and this ain't no playground.
And in answer to all of those who wonder or like Marie Trainer "know that the natives did it", all I can say is that it wasn't something that we did. our people were on the front line wondering why Caledonia didn't want the plank road opened, and the first realization that the hydro was out was when we noticed that the street lights were off and then someone noticed the black smoke.
So as far as I'm concerned anyone could have done the damage. and i like how the government is so quick to respond with thousands of dollars to Henco and the Caledonia businesses for their losses, and yet get them to pay their debt with respect to land leases, they immediately send in negotiators to try and get out of it. how long have we waited for compensation. they don't want to pay up so they send in the guns.
That's exactly what they did in 1924. our confederacy had asked for an accounting of the lease monies and rather than give the accounting (because they had already embezzled the money), they used the RCMP to bring in the guns and establish a form of government that they new they could control. and then they set up a process that requires big money to fight them and hundreds of years to get it into their courts. It is the biggest fraud going and the only reason they get away with it is because we let them. and as far as the people who say that we wanted the band council system, the families that went and asked for this new form of government, is the same as it is today, a handful of people who didn't like the way things were going and rather than council and have their voices heard through the process, they went behind the back of our people and sold us out. those same families still are in existance today. only this time, there is no way we are going to let them sell us out. we have our delegates at the table and the people are making the decisions just as it should be. and we are no longer going to let them hide behind their ficticious justice system. it is all a fraud based on unilateral decisions of the crown and that IS illegal. then we have others who believe that they are the titleholders and that only they will make the decision. sorry to bust your bubble, but the few of you who meet are NOT a nation. you are like the rest of us. only a small number of people when standing alone.
Only together in Unity and Solidarity will we get through this and it is ALL OF THE ONKWEHONWEH who are affected by this. not just the Mohawks and not just Six Nations. The Onkwehonweh are the title holders to the world, and we have a responsibility to the onkwehonweh nations of the world to protect our land for the future of our people, in honesty, in peace and with integrity. setting up barriers to divide and conquer is the game the crown has played and by continually creating the divisions within, you are playing right along side of the crown and into their hands. perhaps you should look at who is guiding you and question their motives.
The people at the site are doing what we are obligated to do according to the Law. We are working together with all of the Six Nations, including those from the other territories because yes they have a voice in our circle and yes they have an interest in what we are doing. it is not for selfish gain and it certainly isn't about money. i pray that you will come to an understanding and continue to work WITH the people and not against them. it is only you who can decide this.
Finally, so that everyone is clear, Mr. Peterson has given the time frame of May 31st to have dealt with the barricades. I don't know exactly what his plan is, but I understand that is his goal. to have all of the barricades down by the 31st of May.
The people need to be aware of this, because between the media using polls to suggest bringing in the army or using the opp to remove us, marie trainer and other's calling for the army to come in, and the history of our people and the way the government on behalf of the crown has always "dealt with" our people during any kind of "occupation", you need to be aware of the reality of the situation.
Keep the Peace, Keep Strong, and Keep getting the word out. As soon as we know of any further developments, we will let you know. talks are to resume on the 31st and we are having a people's council tomorrow. All are welcome. Hazel
- - - - - - -
Thu, May 25, 2006 9:44 pm
Sago from Grand River. It's been a few days since my last update and the atmosphere at the camp has been a dramatic change since then. When the events unfolded on Monday after our original attempt at keeping the PEACE and opening the first barricade on Plank Road (Argyle St) i wondered if we'd ever be able to come to consensus again to continue with our original agreement and open up the barricade.
The tension was very high and with the continued attempts by the instigators among the Caledonians to fuel the fire and taunt our people, it left many with hardened and heavy hearts, including my own. it was hard to even consider sitting at the fire and once again discussion showing "good faith" and continuing with our plan to re-open plank road. many people were angry at the display of racism and violence instigated by the non-native's, especially when the media made it out to be the native's who were at fault. nothing that should be news to us however. the remarks at calling for the army to come in, the one-sided reporting of some of the larger media portraying caledonia citizens of the victims of terrorist acts and the 30 or so of our people who were pepper-sprayed compared to maybe 3 or 4 of the non-natives showed exactly what we have been saying all along.
when it comes to the Onkwehonweh and the issue of land rights, there is no justice. we get labelled terrorists because we continue to work under the Great Law of Peace, and trying to maintain peace while being met with acts of war is hard to swallow. many of our supporters and e-mails suggested that forget it, keep up the barricades. don't open them up because of the safety of our people was threatened. and to be honest with you, it continues to be threatened whether the barricades are there or not. the non-native people who have fear and anger in their hearts continue to try to intimidate, continue to show their ignorance, and continue to refuse to look at the truth regardless. but the people chose to trust. trust in each other, trust in the people, trust in the Kaierenekowah and trust in the process of our Law as well as ultimately in our Creator.
The people made a decision to go ahead and open the barricade again, and this time we made it very clear to the opp that they are responsible for their people and that should anything occur again that threatens the safety of our people, if anyone violates the peace that we have extended, the barricade on argyle street will be put up immediately and there will be no more chances.
it was decided that ONE MORE TIME we will show that good faith. many people believe we have shown that "one more time" too many times, but we did it. and while there was uncertainty, it was definitely an empowering decision. We were upholding our Law. We were maintaining our authority on our land, including plank road, by determining the conditions of the policing etc; and upholding our responsibilities and obligations to our people and allowing the process that has been established between the crowns representatives and the delegates of the people to continue.
I had one caledonia resident ask if it was David Peterson who helped negotiate bringing down the barricade or if the Six Nations people who did it themselves. I told him absolutely mr. peterson played no role in the barricade coming down and that it was all the six nations people who did it. he was quite happy to hear that. another caledonian thanked me and shook my hand. and while the main gate to the site is blocked by the hydro tower and manned by the men, the atmosphere is almost as it was before the opp invaded on april 20th.
Many supporters are once again honking and stopping by to show their support. bringing coffee and stopping to talk. it is a good feeling and far outweighs the angry outbursts of a few individuals who probably don't even live in or near caledonia. the "paid protesters" is what i call them. we all know that the government's plan when dealing with "native land occupations" is to make the negotiations fail, and they have every intention of making sure this one does as well. we still have the idiots who try to come into the camp, try to steal our flags, and try to incite trouble, but the rotiskenrekethe are right on top of everything and when a situation arises, they deal with it.
i am very proud of the men who have put their own personal lives on hold to uphold their obligations to the Kaierenekowah, and to all of the Six Nations Territories and families whose men have come to help and support, as well as other Onkwehonweh Nations; Nya Weh Kowah to you too! the scepticism and doubt still exists among many of our people as to whether we made the right choice. even one of the Clanmothers shared her concerns with respect to the safety of our people, but she applauded everyone for their efforts and good minds at having come to the decision and standing by it. but we are a long way from having the peaceful
resolution we are all seeking.
we have yet the barricade on the railway as well as the #6 hwy by-pass which Peterson expects to have managed to resolve by may 31st. in fact, that is David Peterson's only mandate. to "get the barricades down and then we'll talk" he continues to use the rule that they won't talk while the barricades are up. yet they expect us to talk while threats of court injunctions being enforced through violent actions of opp still hang over our head. i guess maybe he does understand us a little. our people are not intimidated by threats of violence and court injunctions. they mean nothing to us. in an interview today i was asked the question of what it would take to see some resolve.
i told them that for me, it would be for canada to admit to the world that they are guilty of the biggest white collar crime in the history of their people. since the so-called existance of corporate canada, the crown has knowingly committed land theft not only of the haldimand tract, but for the whole of turtle island; and reaped the benefits of the land through fraudulent taxation of its citizens, has sucked the land of all of the resources to the tune of billions and billions of dollars being embezzled through the intentional fraudulent acts. and they call us criminals!!
to me, an admittance of guilt would be appropriate, then we can begin working on righting the wrongs that they have committed. perhaps that is what should be put to mr. peterson at the negotiating table. as representative of the crown, his mandate should be first to accept responsiblity. stop playing us for the fools he believes us to be and start being accountable for the actions of the crown. they have yet to provide anything that shows they understand the depth of the crime that they have committed. if peterson really believe's that sitting at a table to discuss when the barricades are coming down will see the results that he anticipates, perhaps her majesty better begin preparing the next delegate mandated to speak to our people.
The barricades are not the issue.
Theft, fraud, misappropriation of our lease monies and molestation and intercourse of the Holy Grail is what we are talking about! let's get real peterson! the crown has usurped her authority through trickery lies and deciept and the Onkwehonweh have their eyes open and we are standing at the head. we are the Holy Grail and we are ready to defend the Peace through any means necessary.
Do I think Caledonia and Canadians have a right to be angry? Absolutely! But they should direct the anger at where it is justified. The Crown. They bought land that they hold no title to, they have been paying taxes to a
government that has no authority to collect taxes, and they have been taught a history of lies and deception in an attempt to cover up the biggest crime of mankind since they killed the peacemaker. They should be angry because they are continually played to be the fools all the while her majesty reaps the benefits of her ultimate fraud. definitely we are ready to talk. definitely we are ready to send in our delegates to the table and begin resolving the situation.
We are ready and armed with the truth, and we are not afraid to use it. the haldimand itself was used to undermine the authority of the Original League of Nations, our Confederacy, and the crown used it to get her foothold into our land in north america. now the haldimand has come back to haunt them, and they will be answerable to the fraudulent actions that they have committed.
Justice for Creation will Prevail. Keep the Peace, keep up the support and keep the momentum going. The Crown's representatives want this to go away.
They even have major newspapers like the Globe and Mail, and tv stations putting out leading polls such as "How do you think the government should deal with the situation with Six Nations in Caledonia, bring in more opp, or bring in the army" those my friends are the beginning stages of justifying another attack, and we want all of our supporters to be ready, because if anything happens here, canada will have declared war against all of the Onkwehonweh Nations of the world and we must defend by any means necessary.................Hazel
DETAILS
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
Updates from Hazel Hill
May 31, 2006
Good Morning from Grand River. When I woke up this morning all I could see was the fog and dampness that surrounded everything. Kind of echoed my mood of impending doom. My thoughts were along the lines of "what are they up to?" For the past week since the deadline of May 31st kept creeping closer, my heart became heavier and my mind could not escape the thoughts of the government and their continued use of force against our people when they are placed in a situation of having to tell the world the truth, or continue on their path of assimilation and genocide. Then I hear that judge marshall has ordered a hearing of all parties concerned with what they call "douglas creek" . He wants to know WHY no one is enforcing his ruling and listening to him and his law. Apparently the rail line got an injunction on May 4th to have the barricade that we have on the rail line removed, and marshall wants to know why they opp haven't taken action on that, and of course why they haven't taken action on the original 3 injunctions to have us removed from the land reclamation site. By the way it is now being call Kanenhstaton (the protected place)
To my knowledge, none of our people have any intention of going to this hearing. How could we? I was asked so many times yesterday by news reporters of what I thought of what marshall was saying and was I going to the hearing. My response was "I cannot accede jurisdiction to another government or another law". They wanted to know what that meant, "does that mean you're not going?" I just repeated my words and told them it means what it means. I think they got the picture. Many people are talking about going to the court house, and not going into court, but standing together outside, as if to say, "we're here, but we're telling you that you don't have the authority to enforce your laws upon us". It would be a subtle attempt to slap in the face so to speak. Anyway, the message will be loud and clear either way.
This morning has been a struggle to say the least! This is my third
attempt at getting this up-date out. I would get so far, and each time my
computer would all of a sudden black out and shut down. I was warned that one of our "supporters" could be working for the government and has sent out these viruses to crash all of our computers. Not too far fetched when you think of how the computer has been able to connect all of our people from coast to coast in solidarity and support for us here. This little
instrument has been the key to getting the message out to all of our
brothers and sisters across the world so it wouldn't surprise me one bit if
they have master minded yet again another strategy to shut us up. SOOOO, watch what you open. Can't say as I know where it is coming from or even if it is true, just an awareness to share.
Anyway, as I was typing this morning and feeling nothing but despair and
worry, all of a sudden I felt this light from my peripheral vision first,
and then I could feel it on my face. I was sitting next to a sliding glass
door that opens to the east, and when I looked out, I could see the sun
slowly peeking its way through those clouds. Then I was reminded that
everything was ok. We have yet another day. A new beginning. It's like a message coming through those dark clouds that we are not alone. The Creator is watching and there is a plan in place even if we don't know what it is.
As long as we all continue on the path that we are on. Upholding the Law,
upholding the Peace, trusting and honouring Creation and continuing on
together as ONE. It's ok. Sometimes I get so caught up in wondering what "they" are up to, I forget that our only responsibility is to the Creator.
When we TRUST in the Creator, in ourselves and each other as Onkwehonweh, then it doesn't matter what they do. I know in my heart that what we are doing is for the highest good of our people and no matter what, we have to continue. As we talked around the fire and around the site last night, I had many people sharing different things. One of which was a message this young man had received from his mother who has now passed on. it was asimple but significant message at this time in our lives. "the Creator is coming".
A few of us talked about prophecies we had heard, and while I'm not sure of the exact wording of the prophecy, I remember hearing the Hopi prophecy where they talk about a time when we would reach a crossroad. Where the Onkwehonweh will have to choose. We either go back to the earth, our roots, and learn to live from the earth and all that she provides for us, or continue on the path of money and power, the latter of which will
eventually lead to that next war. When I first heard that prophecy probably 10 years ago, I thought "yeah right" we're all gonna die cause no one is going to give up that dollar. It is easy to see now how wrong I was. Our people have come together in peace and solidarity, not because we see a financial gain in what we are doing, but we have come together to protect the land. The very essence of our beings and for the good of our future.
For the unborn children. We ARE doing what we have been instructed to do. Not from any individual but from the spirit within. So, for that, this
morning I am grateful, my heart is now uplifted again and I can look to
today with anticipation.
Yesterday was a good day. If you caught the news, our people went up the Brantford Charity Casino to hand out flyers and remind the Crown that, that land that the Casino is on is our land too. That the haldimand tract runs from its' mouth to its source six miles on either side and that Brantford was told before they even began any construction there that the Six Nations maintain that as unceded territory. Naturally the press wanted to know if we were saying that we should have a share in the revenues from the casino. I told them that we were not there because of the money.
We were there to make a point. To educate the Canadian people that the land was ours and that the unceded territory is not just the one little piece that we have reclaimed near 'caledonia'. It was also set up yesterday because our delegates were back at the table with the crowns representatives from the feds and prov beginning the talks. You probably all have heard by now that Peterson is trying to go back on the agreement that was reached to get the first barricade down. He is trying to say that the Burtch property was only being returned if all three barricades came down. This happened at a meeting with him on Monday, and our delegates basically told him to go home and do some research because that is not the agreement that we made and that is not the understanding of our people. So during yesterdays talks with Jane Stewart and this new guy Ron Doering (he was sitting in for Barbara McDougall); Allen McNaughton read a statement to them that basically said "the actions of the government of Ontario in the negotiations of a peaceful resolution to the land right issues within Six Nations territory are dishonorable".
He reminded them of the agreement that had been reached and that apparently David Peterson has no authority to resolve the issue, and that his actions does not bode well for the re-establishment of our relations. Good job delegates! He reminded them as well that we have a
relationship with our Chiefs and delegates based on trust and respect, and
if their (the government's) actions cause the people to question the honor
of our Chiefs/Delegates, then the people will take matters into their own
hands. I hope they got the message.
There has been a lot of concern as well about this letter that is
circulating from the "Mohawk Nation of Grand River" signed by Edwin S. Hill (Ted Squire) for those who don't know. This was brought to the fire on
Monday because it is believed that this letter has reached the government
officials and could jeopardize the talks and progress that we have made as
Onkwehonweh. While we all know and understand that one clan cannot speak for a nation and that there is a process within our law to deal with any problem that arises, this letter that is circulating basically means
nothing. It is only paper. It is not the law. For those "Mohawks" of the
Orreregowah Clan, it is up to you to address these people who have put this letter out. To my knowledge, there has been no Mohawk Nation meeting called to invite ALL Mohawks of all the territories to send out any such correspondence, and again, it is just an attempt to discredit the people who sit at the discussion table on our behalf. I have continually tried to remind people, including some of those who support this letter, that it doesn't matter who is sitting at the table, they carry the voice of our
people, and we are the one's who are making the decisions. For some of our people, they have no problem trusting that.
For others, for reasons known only to them, they chose to undermine and try to destroy what is good. It seems these people feel threatened by the fact that Allen MacNaughton is sitting at the table. They bring forward these papers to indicate somehow that he is not a chief etc., etc. we have been hearing this for over 20 years. From what I know Allen and his mother were condoled through the longhouse. Given that, if there is a problem with him, it is his clan that must deal with it. Not the orreregowah wolf clan, and not the rest of the confederacy. There is a process and protocol that must be followed within the teachings and the Law, and as far as I know, this has never been done.
So, my advice to everyone, is as I said, it means nothing. It's only paper.
(remember, even Pope John Paul II the crowns former spiritual advisor,
reminded the world that "it's not the law, it's only paper). He knew that
the crowns laws were only created to undermine the True Law of the Land ,the Kaierenekwah. This letter is no different. As far as the damage that
might have been done to our position with 'negotiations' and the land
reclamation; the other government that they send their correspondence to has nothing to do with the internal politics and structure of our house. We
know that we have to work hard to re-build our house, but it is not for
their government to interfere. The people have sent our delegates there in good faith, and we will continue to support them. Anyone who has a concern of any matter with respect to what we are doing and the decisions that are being made, are welcome to join us at the fire. Alan, Jock, Joe and the rest of them, have been fulfilling their obligations to the people by
carrying our voices forward. They have not made any agreements without
coming back to the fire and I believe that they will continue with the
process that was given to us. It appears that many people want to throw a
monkey wrench into what we are doing rather than joining us and working
together. Remember, the Law when it was given was for all Onkwehonweh, and the original league of nations, our confederacy was symbolically tied together with those bundle of arrows. Take one arrow out and try to stand alone it is easily defeated. Keeping them bound together it cannot be broken. Not only that, we have called on all of the Onkwehonweh Nations of the World to join us in upholding our Law and upholding the Peace. We are proceeding together as ONE, and we are continuing, regardless of the attempts of a few. To me, it doesn't matter who you are. My understanding of that peace and that tree is those four white roots reach out in the four directions. Anyone who chooses to take solace under that tree and live according to the Law of Creation, can take shelter and live as indicated. If I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me.
Next meeting with the delegates is scheduled for Friday. As soon as I know what marshall has up his sleeve with the hearing today, I will let everyone know. It is no good to live in fear and wonder if he is going to send in the army and opp. it is for us to be prepared all across the world, if they so chose to act irresponsibly, then we will remind them that Six Nations is not alone. Have a good day, keep the peace and stay strong!
hazel
Hello from Grand River
May 28th, 2006
Things are pretty quiet around the site these days. Maybe too quiet. I've been reading alot in the surrounding newspapers. Caledonia mayor Marie Trainer was quoted this week as saying the army should be brought in. One of her councillors thinks that the government should just cut off all of the funding that comes into the territory. "cut off the tax exempt cards, cut off the monthly cheques, cut off the food banks..." (I still wonder where they get the idea that monthly cheques come to our people.)
My response to those types of suggestions is "you're absolutely right!", but first the crown should pay the billions and billions of dollars owed on land leases, the taxes collected on our land, the resources taken from our land and compensations for the destruction of the lands stolen and abused etc. etc.
If the crown paid her debt to our people there would be no need for the scraps that come to our people through their government structure. and then there is the interest monies on top of all that. When canada pays her debt we'll gladly get rid of all of those other things. Wonder if Canadians realize they've been duped? They talk as if we are a burden to them. Like they're supporting us. Does it not occur to them that they are the burden. They have been freeloading off our lands and resources for thousands of years.
Even IF, and I say if because we know that the land "surrenders" are fraudulent, But IF the 1841 surrender was real, where is the money???????
They have never paid for one single lease that they have obtained throughout history (to my knowledge anyway). When you lease a car and don't pay for it what happens.....they take it back. That's exactly what we did with our lands. In fact, we should be ready to re-possess the whole Haldimand and then let PM Harper say that it's not a federal matter. and as far as mayor trainer's irresponsible remarks about bringing in the army.....guess she doesn't think much of her citizens in Caledonia if she really wants a war zone in her back yard. And they call us terrorists!
Then she was quoted as saying that the natives damaged the hydro station causing the power outage in Caledonia, Six Nations, Hagersville etc. "it was definitely natives" trainer said friday (quoted from the Brantford Expositor)
The fact of the matter is that there is no way anyone will no for certain whether it was natives or non-natives who did the damage because all of
our people were up on the front line, and ANYONE could have done the damage. We had removed the barricade at #6 hwy and 6th line the night before, and the O.P.P. were the only ones at the end of #6 (argyle st) and #6 bypass. We had opened up the road for pete's sake and she is trying to say that she knows it was natives.
All throughout this reclamation we have had non-native shit disturbers sneaking into the camp for one purpose and one purpose only, to try to discredit and disrupt the peace. We have had the army dude who admitted to shooting one of our men in the face a few day's before he was caught. We have the idiots in camoflauge on four wheelers taunting our men and the opp trying to incite the war. They brought their video camera with them and proudly turned it over to tv 11 but for some reason were ashamed enough to want to have their faces hidden. and they are the jackasses who threw rocks over the bi-pass and could have potentially killed someone but blamed it on our men because their camera caught one of our men throwing something back at them. look at the direction of the throw and look at where the barricade was. we were over half way over the #54 hwy so there is no way we caused any damage to any vehicles. it was all a set-up. and then there was the fire at the barn across the road the night after the police raid on April 20th.
Even the farmer believes it was non-natives who were trying to make it look like we were vandalizing the neighbourhood. and yet our men are the ones who went to put out the fire even before the fire trucks arrived. On Thursday nite we were accused of shining laser lights and shooting off firecrackers and rattling the nerves of the opp. Next night they caught 3 non-native punks with their firecrackers and bottle rockets after having fired off a few, again to try and incite the war.
We are continuously having to deal with this type of action and yet do we retaliate? no. we keep the peace. we turn over the idiots when we catch them in our camp. we could beat the crap out of them and teach them a lesson and i'll tell you, i give our men the deepest respect and credit for NOT doing it! and why shouldn't we? do you see us going into caledonia and acting like idiots? do we sneak around trying to incite a war? we have kept the peace. we are upholding our Law and yet we are criminalized for it.
To me the criminals are the ones who refuse to look at the truth. They make ignorant comments like "just because your ancestors sold the land for beads and now you're crying about it" and other stupid remarks that a kindergarten child would say in a playground fight. I hope Stephen Harper and Marie Trainer realize that we are beyond kindergarten and this ain't no playground.
And in answer to all of those who wonder or like Marie Trainer "know that the natives did it", all I can say is that it wasn't something that we did. our people were on the front line wondering why Caledonia didn't want the plank road opened, and the first realization that the hydro was out was when we noticed that the street lights were off and then someone noticed the black smoke.
So as far as I'm concerned anyone could have done the damage. and i like how the government is so quick to respond with thousands of dollars to Henco and the Caledonia businesses for their losses, and yet get them to pay their debt with respect to land leases, they immediately send in negotiators to try and get out of it. how long have we waited for compensation. they don't want to pay up so they send in the guns.
That's exactly what they did in 1924. our confederacy had asked for an accounting of the lease monies and rather than give the accounting (because they had already embezzled the money), they used the RCMP to bring in the guns and establish a form of government that they new they could control. and then they set up a process that requires big money to fight them and hundreds of years to get it into their courts. It is the biggest fraud going and the only reason they get away with it is because we let them. and as far as the people who say that we wanted the band council system, the families that went and asked for this new form of government, is the same as it is today, a handful of people who didn't like the way things were going and rather than council and have their voices heard through the process, they went behind the back of our people and sold us out. those same families still are in existance today. only this time, there is no way we are going to let them sell us out. we have our delegates at the table and the people are making the decisions just as it should be. and we are no longer going to let them hide behind their ficticious justice system. it is all a fraud based on unilateral decisions of the crown and that IS illegal. then we have others who believe that they are the titleholders and that only they will make the decision. sorry to bust your bubble, but the few of you who meet are NOT a nation. you are like the rest of us. only a small number of people when standing alone.
Only together in Unity and Solidarity will we get through this and it is ALL OF THE ONKWEHONWEH who are affected by this. not just the Mohawks and not just Six Nations. The Onkwehonweh are the title holders to the world, and we have a responsibility to the onkwehonweh nations of the world to protect our land for the future of our people, in honesty, in peace and with integrity. setting up barriers to divide and conquer is the game the crown has played and by continually creating the divisions within, you are playing right along side of the crown and into their hands. perhaps you should look at who is guiding you and question their motives.
The people at the site are doing what we are obligated to do according to the Law. We are working together with all of the Six Nations, including those from the other territories because yes they have a voice in our circle and yes they have an interest in what we are doing. it is not for selfish gain and it certainly isn't about money. i pray that you will come to an understanding and continue to work WITH the people and not against them. it is only you who can decide this.
Finally, so that everyone is clear, Mr. Peterson has given the time frame of May 31st to have dealt with the barricades. I don't know exactly what his plan is, but I understand that is his goal. to have all of the barricades down by the 31st of May.
The people need to be aware of this, because between the media using polls to suggest bringing in the army or using the opp to remove us, marie trainer and other's calling for the army to come in, and the history of our people and the way the government on behalf of the crown has always "dealt with" our people during any kind of "occupation", you need to be aware of the reality of the situation.
Keep the Peace, Keep Strong, and Keep getting the word out. As soon as we know of any further developments, we will let you know. talks are to resume on the 31st and we are having a people's council tomorrow. All are welcome. Hazel
- - - - - - -
Thu, May 25, 2006 9:44 pm
Sago from Grand River. It's been a few days since my last update and the atmosphere at the camp has been a dramatic change since then. When the events unfolded on Monday after our original attempt at keeping the PEACE and opening the first barricade on Plank Road (Argyle St) i wondered if we'd ever be able to come to consensus again to continue with our original agreement and open up the barricade.
The tension was very high and with the continued attempts by the instigators among the Caledonians to fuel the fire and taunt our people, it left many with hardened and heavy hearts, including my own. it was hard to even consider sitting at the fire and once again discussion showing "good faith" and continuing with our plan to re-open plank road. many people were angry at the display of racism and violence instigated by the non-native's, especially when the media made it out to be the native's who were at fault. nothing that should be news to us however. the remarks at calling for the army to come in, the one-sided reporting of some of the larger media portraying caledonia citizens of the victims of terrorist acts and the 30 or so of our people who were pepper-sprayed compared to maybe 3 or 4 of the non-natives showed exactly what we have been saying all along.
when it comes to the Onkwehonweh and the issue of land rights, there is no justice. we get labelled terrorists because we continue to work under the Great Law of Peace, and trying to maintain peace while being met with acts of war is hard to swallow. many of our supporters and e-mails suggested that forget it, keep up the barricades. don't open them up because of the safety of our people was threatened. and to be honest with you, it continues to be threatened whether the barricades are there or not. the non-native people who have fear and anger in their hearts continue to try to intimidate, continue to show their ignorance, and continue to refuse to look at the truth regardless. but the people chose to trust. trust in each other, trust in the people, trust in the Kaierenekowah and trust in the process of our Law as well as ultimately in our Creator.
The people made a decision to go ahead and open the barricade again, and this time we made it very clear to the opp that they are responsible for their people and that should anything occur again that threatens the safety of our people, if anyone violates the peace that we have extended, the barricade on argyle street will be put up immediately and there will be no more chances.
it was decided that ONE MORE TIME we will show that good faith. many people believe we have shown that "one more time" too many times, but we did it. and while there was uncertainty, it was definitely an empowering decision. We were upholding our Law. We were maintaining our authority on our land, including plank road, by determining the conditions of the policing etc; and upholding our responsibilities and obligations to our people and allowing the process that has been established between the crowns representatives and the delegates of the people to continue.
I had one caledonia resident ask if it was David Peterson who helped negotiate bringing down the barricade or if the Six Nations people who did it themselves. I told him absolutely mr. peterson played no role in the barricade coming down and that it was all the six nations people who did it. he was quite happy to hear that. another caledonian thanked me and shook my hand. and while the main gate to the site is blocked by the hydro tower and manned by the men, the atmosphere is almost as it was before the opp invaded on april 20th.
Many supporters are once again honking and stopping by to show their support. bringing coffee and stopping to talk. it is a good feeling and far outweighs the angry outbursts of a few individuals who probably don't even live in or near caledonia. the "paid protesters" is what i call them. we all know that the government's plan when dealing with "native land occupations" is to make the negotiations fail, and they have every intention of making sure this one does as well. we still have the idiots who try to come into the camp, try to steal our flags, and try to incite trouble, but the rotiskenrekethe are right on top of everything and when a situation arises, they deal with it.
i am very proud of the men who have put their own personal lives on hold to uphold their obligations to the Kaierenekowah, and to all of the Six Nations Territories and families whose men have come to help and support, as well as other Onkwehonweh Nations; Nya Weh Kowah to you too! the scepticism and doubt still exists among many of our people as to whether we made the right choice. even one of the Clanmothers shared her concerns with respect to the safety of our people, but she applauded everyone for their efforts and good minds at having come to the decision and standing by it. but we are a long way from having the peaceful
resolution we are all seeking.
we have yet the barricade on the railway as well as the #6 hwy by-pass which Peterson expects to have managed to resolve by may 31st. in fact, that is David Peterson's only mandate. to "get the barricades down and then we'll talk" he continues to use the rule that they won't talk while the barricades are up. yet they expect us to talk while threats of court injunctions being enforced through violent actions of opp still hang over our head. i guess maybe he does understand us a little. our people are not intimidated by threats of violence and court injunctions. they mean nothing to us. in an interview today i was asked the question of what it would take to see some resolve.
i told them that for me, it would be for canada to admit to the world that they are guilty of the biggest white collar crime in the history of their people. since the so-called existance of corporate canada, the crown has knowingly committed land theft not only of the haldimand tract, but for the whole of turtle island; and reaped the benefits of the land through fraudulent taxation of its citizens, has sucked the land of all of the resources to the tune of billions and billions of dollars being embezzled through the intentional fraudulent acts. and they call us criminals!!
to me, an admittance of guilt would be appropriate, then we can begin working on righting the wrongs that they have committed. perhaps that is what should be put to mr. peterson at the negotiating table. as representative of the crown, his mandate should be first to accept responsiblity. stop playing us for the fools he believes us to be and start being accountable for the actions of the crown. they have yet to provide anything that shows they understand the depth of the crime that they have committed. if peterson really believe's that sitting at a table to discuss when the barricades are coming down will see the results that he anticipates, perhaps her majesty better begin preparing the next delegate mandated to speak to our people.
The barricades are not the issue.
Theft, fraud, misappropriation of our lease monies and molestation and intercourse of the Holy Grail is what we are talking about! let's get real peterson! the crown has usurped her authority through trickery lies and deciept and the Onkwehonweh have their eyes open and we are standing at the head. we are the Holy Grail and we are ready to defend the Peace through any means necessary.
Do I think Caledonia and Canadians have a right to be angry? Absolutely! But they should direct the anger at where it is justified. The Crown. They bought land that they hold no title to, they have been paying taxes to a
government that has no authority to collect taxes, and they have been taught a history of lies and deception in an attempt to cover up the biggest crime of mankind since they killed the peacemaker. They should be angry because they are continually played to be the fools all the while her majesty reaps the benefits of her ultimate fraud. definitely we are ready to talk. definitely we are ready to send in our delegates to the table and begin resolving the situation.
We are ready and armed with the truth, and we are not afraid to use it. the haldimand itself was used to undermine the authority of the Original League of Nations, our Confederacy, and the crown used it to get her foothold into our land in north america. now the haldimand has come back to haunt them, and they will be answerable to the fraudulent actions that they have committed.
Justice for Creation will Prevail. Keep the Peace, keep up the support and keep the momentum going. The Crown's representatives want this to go away.
They even have major newspapers like the Globe and Mail, and tv stations putting out leading polls such as "How do you think the government should deal with the situation with Six Nations in Caledonia, bring in more opp, or bring in the army" those my friends are the beginning stages of justifying another attack, and we want all of our supporters to be ready, because if anything happens here, canada will have declared war against all of the Onkwehonweh Nations of the world and we must defend by any means necessary.................Hazel
- SXN LandReclamationUpdate
Six Nations Confederacy, Ontario and Canada condemn violence
by Violence Condemned » Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:09 pm
Six Nations Confederacy, Ontario and Canada condemn violence in Caledonia . . .
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
June 12, 2006
Hazel Hill at the Six Nations land reclamation site in Caledonia stated, "The potential for violence occurring on the site in the next little while is tremendous. The Caledonia people are wanting to come in to take us out. The opp are maintaining a line between the Caledonia residents and the reclamation site. It is unknown how long this is going to continue. Our people need to be on alert".
The Six Nations Confederacy issued a statement speaking out against the actions of a few that caused violence on the weekend.
In Ottawa and Toronto, the Aboriginal Affairs Minister and the federal indian Affairs Minister jointly released a statement, "We remain deeply concerned about the tensions and join the condemnation of the recent acts of violence in Caledonia. These acts of aggression and intimidation on the part of a small few, are aimed at disrupting the significant progress that has been made by the governments of Canada, Six Nations and Ontario".
The innocence of a First Nations perspective related to land rights was shattered when a handful of Natives took it upon themselves to unleash their rage. The Six Nations Confederacy issued a statement confirming that violence is not our way, that First Nations people are peaceful and do not agree with the violent actions of the few at Caledonia. The statement by the Confederacy stressed how important it is to co-exist with our neighbours, and the safety of all is equally important. The Confederacy also affirmed the benefit of continuing negotiations with the federal and provincial governments, and that the talks so far were promising, in reaching the goal of a peaceful resolution of Six Nations issues.
The federal and provincial ministers stated,"Six Nations leadership has joined us and local council in speaking out clearly against this behaviour and have called for peace and reconciliation by pledging to work with various authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice".
Hazel Hill called the violence unfortunate and in hindsight wished it did not happen. However, she explained, "the racial violence that has been directed at our people on a constant basis - none of us can truly say how we would have responded, if in the situation ourselves".
Hazel Hill reminds us of the constant provocation against Six Nations people by the locals, "Our people are being faced daily with people driving by, hollering racial remarks including 'go home you f'n Indians', 'get a job', 'your gonna die' etc. Garbage is constantly being thrown at us, and besides the 'flipping of the bird' there have been times where firecrackers are being thrown out the window toward us. These incidents however, are not followed up on by the OPP because they are not breaking any laws".
Regarding the Friday night violence she added, "What needs to be understood is that the incidents . . . are a direct result of the constant intimidation tactics of the OPP and others of the military, the continued racial discrimination being shown, not by us, but by the Caledonia people, including the recent blocking of our children from using the arena for lacrosse games".
When they arrest him, police intend to lay an attempted murder charge against 30 year old Six Nations resident Albert Douglas. He also faces charges of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer, forcible confinement, robbery and two counts of breaching his bail. 22 year old Skylar Williams of Six Nations faces a robbery charge. 61 year old Arnold Douglas of Six Nations faces two counts of intimidation and 47 year old Ken Hill of Six Nations faces two assault charges. The Oshweken residents are among seven suspects wanted by the police for the latest violence at Caledonia, including the swarming of an older couple in their car, an attempt to run down a police officer, and intimidation of another law enforcement officer.
The Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that more than half a dozen suspects are being sought in connection with the recent violence that left several people injured, including a law enforcement officer and two members of the CH TV camera crew from Hamilton. The protest at the Douglas Estates development, also known as the land reclamation site, began in late February. It has stirred up hostility that now has manifested itself in threats of military action by politicians pushing an agenda to mollify their constituents. At Queens Park the provincial opposition Tories under the leadership of John Tory tried, but failed to get the Dalton McGuinty government to order a public inquiry into the events at Caledonia.
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Joint Statement by Minister Jim Prentice and Minister David Ramsay
OTTAWA AND TORONTO, June 11, 2006
The following statement was released by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, and the Honourable David Ramsay, Ontario Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs:
"Events over the past months in Caledonia Ontario have caused great strain within that community and neighbouring Six Nations. While the vast
majority have demonstrated a great deal of restraint, perseverance, determination and goodwill, there are some who have not.
We remain deeply concerned about the tensions and join the condemnation of the recent acts of violence in Caledonia. These acts of aggression and intimidation on the part of a small few, are aimed at disrupting the significant progress that has been made by the governments of Canada, Six Nations and Ontario.
Six Nations leadership has joined us and local council in speaking out
clearly against this behaviour and have called for peace and reconciliation by pledging to work with various authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
We find the recent acts of violence particularly discouraging because
many of the issues at the root of these tensions have been resolved. For
example, since the federal-provincial joint offer was presented to Six Nations leaders on April 17, 2006:
- Barbara McDougall and Jane Stewart have been appointed to work with Six Nations negotiators on land grievances and this table has been active, with progress being made.
- There is now a moratorium on development at the Douglas Creek Estates with its ownership and use to be determined at the negotiating table.
- Provincially owned lands in the Haldimand tract have been identified for consideration as part of the land grievance process.
- Real progress has been made and there has been a commitment throughout that these talks will accelerate further as peace returns to the community.
The remaining blockades have had a severe impact on the surrounding
community and continue to disrupt community activities, social life, the local economy and pose a continued threat to public safety.
We are asking that these blockades be removed as a matter of urgency in
order that the source of tensions in the communities be eliminated. This will mean that all involved can focus their resources and efforts to the task of resolving the outstanding issues at the table.
Just as importantly, removal of the blockades will give everyone in the
Caledonia community and Six Nations the opportunity to re-establish and
further develop healthy community relationships which they have developed together over many years of living side-by-side as friends and neighbours. This is what all responsible community members want and what they deserve to have.
Common to all of us who live in this wonderful country and province are the underlying and important values of peace and justice. We cannot and will not be intimidated by the activities of the violent few who will sometimes seek to disrupt these cherished human values."
-30-
/For further information: INAC media relations, (819) 953-1160,
Anne-Marie Flanagan, Press Secretary to Minister Ramsay, (416) 268-3690/
- - - - - - -
UBCIC Chiefs Council Supports Six Nations
Chiefs Council Unanimously Passes Haldimand Tract Lands Resolution
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Chiefs Council
June 7th – 8th, 2006
Vancouver, B.C.
Resolution no. 2006-15
Re: Six Nations: Haldimand Tract Lands
WHEREAS the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island enjoy undiminished traditional, inherent, judicial and Constitutional rights to their Indigenous homelands and territories;
WHEREAS the Government of Canada has consistently refused over the course of history and deliberately refused to recognize and reconcile the unresolved land rights issues of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island;
WHEREAS the outstanding issues associated with the conveyance of the Haldimand Tract Lands in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Haldimand Proclamation of 1850 need to be resolved to the satisfaction of the Six nations of the Grand River Territory;
WHEREAS the unresolved land rights issues of the Haldimand Tract Lands have resulted in a 100 day ongoing violent standoff in relation to a proposed commercial housing development known as the Douglas Creek Estates;
WHEREAS as tensions and frustrations escalate, the potential for violence continues to increase on a daily basis;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs fully supports the ongoing efforts of the Clan Mothers and Traditional Chiefs of the Iroquois Confederacy to achieve a peaceful resolution of the violent land rights dispute at the Douglas Creek estates subdivision site at Caledonia, Ontario; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs call upon Prime Minister Steven Harper and Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice to personally intervene in this violent land rights dispute and fully assume and immediately act upon the Government of Canada’s constitutional, judicial and fiduciary responsibility to peacefully resolve this outstanding land rights issue and subsequent escalation of violence in Caledonia, Ontario.
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT in the event that the Government of Canada, through the Prime Minister Steven Harper, fails to uphold its responsibility the UBCIC shall support the intervention of Rodolpho Stavenhagen in his role as the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples.
Moved: Chief Fred Sampson, Siska Indian Band
Seconded: Chief Archie Pootlass, Nuxalk Nation
Disposition: Carried
Date: June 8, 2006
For more information contact Chief Stewart Phillip, President at (250) 490-5314
- - - - - - -
Ontario Provincial Police Association Media Release
TORONTO, June 12, 2006
The CPPA is the national voice for 54,000 police personnel serving across Canada. Through our 225 member associations, CPPA membership includes police personnel serving in police services from Canada's
smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal cities, provincial police services and members of the RCMP.
The OPP Association represents over 7,500 Ontario Provincial Police
uniformed and civilian members who provide community-based policing and specialized policing services to residents in over 460 municipalities across Ontario.
On the 10th of June 2006, the Board of Directors for the CPPA spoke
extensively about this issue and has adopted through motions the enclosed
resolutions.
CPPA RESOLUTION
SUPPORT FOR OPP OFFICERS IN CALEDONIA
Whereas the standoff and land dispute in Caledonia, Ontario has now surpassed 100 days making it the longest in Canadian history; and
whereas the front line officers of the Ontario Provincial Police and other police personnel are being placed in harms way each and every day that this standoff continues; and
whereas the deployment of officers to Caledonia is diminishing the level of police service and straining resources in other parts of Ontario;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) is united in its support of the police personnel who have been and will be deployed to Caledonia; and
be it further resolved that the CPPA supports a peaceful resolution to the standoff at Caledonia; and
be it finally resolved that the CPPA calls on parties on both sides of this conflict, including First Nations, federal government and provincial government decision makers, to make the safety of officers, protesters and the general public paramount in their minds as they seek a resolution
to this standoff.
CPPA RESOLUTION
CALL FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTION
Whereas the standoff and land dispute in Caledonia, Ontario has now surpassed 100 days making it the longest in Canadian history; and
whereas no lasting resolution has been achieved; and
whereas public safety and the safety of Ontario Provincial Police officers and other police personnel are being put further and further at risk with each passing day; and
whereas the cause of the standoff is a land claim dispute with both federal and provincial government implications; and these matters are clearly not only a provincial policing responsibility;
therefore, be it resolved that the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) calls upon the federal government to uphold its Constitutional obligations and take a lead role in bringing about a peaceful resolution to this standoff by remaining at the table in a fully engaged manner until this situation is resolved; and
be it further resolved that the CPPA will open a dialogue with the federal government to deliver the message that the law enforcement community fully expects that the federal government will play a key role in advancing solutions at Caledonia.
For further information: Should you have questions regarding this issue,
please contact those below for comment: President Tony Cannavino, CPPA,
(613) 231-4168; or President Karl Walsh, OPP Association, (705) 728-6161
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
June 12, 2006
Hazel Hill at the Six Nations land reclamation site in Caledonia stated, "The potential for violence occurring on the site in the next little while is tremendous. The Caledonia people are wanting to come in to take us out. The opp are maintaining a line between the Caledonia residents and the reclamation site. It is unknown how long this is going to continue. Our people need to be on alert".
The Six Nations Confederacy issued a statement speaking out against the actions of a few that caused violence on the weekend.
In Ottawa and Toronto, the Aboriginal Affairs Minister and the federal indian Affairs Minister jointly released a statement, "We remain deeply concerned about the tensions and join the condemnation of the recent acts of violence in Caledonia. These acts of aggression and intimidation on the part of a small few, are aimed at disrupting the significant progress that has been made by the governments of Canada, Six Nations and Ontario".
The innocence of a First Nations perspective related to land rights was shattered when a handful of Natives took it upon themselves to unleash their rage. The Six Nations Confederacy issued a statement confirming that violence is not our way, that First Nations people are peaceful and do not agree with the violent actions of the few at Caledonia. The statement by the Confederacy stressed how important it is to co-exist with our neighbours, and the safety of all is equally important. The Confederacy also affirmed the benefit of continuing negotiations with the federal and provincial governments, and that the talks so far were promising, in reaching the goal of a peaceful resolution of Six Nations issues.
The federal and provincial ministers stated,"Six Nations leadership has joined us and local council in speaking out clearly against this behaviour and have called for peace and reconciliation by pledging to work with various authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice".
Hazel Hill called the violence unfortunate and in hindsight wished it did not happen. However, she explained, "the racial violence that has been directed at our people on a constant basis - none of us can truly say how we would have responded, if in the situation ourselves".
Hazel Hill reminds us of the constant provocation against Six Nations people by the locals, "Our people are being faced daily with people driving by, hollering racial remarks including 'go home you f'n Indians', 'get a job', 'your gonna die' etc. Garbage is constantly being thrown at us, and besides the 'flipping of the bird' there have been times where firecrackers are being thrown out the window toward us. These incidents however, are not followed up on by the OPP because they are not breaking any laws".
Regarding the Friday night violence she added, "What needs to be understood is that the incidents . . . are a direct result of the constant intimidation tactics of the OPP and others of the military, the continued racial discrimination being shown, not by us, but by the Caledonia people, including the recent blocking of our children from using the arena for lacrosse games".
When they arrest him, police intend to lay an attempted murder charge against 30 year old Six Nations resident Albert Douglas. He also faces charges of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer, forcible confinement, robbery and two counts of breaching his bail. 22 year old Skylar Williams of Six Nations faces a robbery charge. 61 year old Arnold Douglas of Six Nations faces two counts of intimidation and 47 year old Ken Hill of Six Nations faces two assault charges. The Oshweken residents are among seven suspects wanted by the police for the latest violence at Caledonia, including the swarming of an older couple in their car, an attempt to run down a police officer, and intimidation of another law enforcement officer.
The Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that more than half a dozen suspects are being sought in connection with the recent violence that left several people injured, including a law enforcement officer and two members of the CH TV camera crew from Hamilton. The protest at the Douglas Estates development, also known as the land reclamation site, began in late February. It has stirred up hostility that now has manifested itself in threats of military action by politicians pushing an agenda to mollify their constituents. At Queens Park the provincial opposition Tories under the leadership of John Tory tried, but failed to get the Dalton McGuinty government to order a public inquiry into the events at Caledonia.
- - - - - - -
Joint Statement by Minister Jim Prentice and Minister David Ramsay
OTTAWA AND TORONTO, June 11, 2006
The following statement was released by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, and the Honourable David Ramsay, Ontario Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs:
"Events over the past months in Caledonia Ontario have caused great strain within that community and neighbouring Six Nations. While the vast
majority have demonstrated a great deal of restraint, perseverance, determination and goodwill, there are some who have not.
We remain deeply concerned about the tensions and join the condemnation of the recent acts of violence in Caledonia. These acts of aggression and intimidation on the part of a small few, are aimed at disrupting the significant progress that has been made by the governments of Canada, Six Nations and Ontario.
Six Nations leadership has joined us and local council in speaking out
clearly against this behaviour and have called for peace and reconciliation by pledging to work with various authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
We find the recent acts of violence particularly discouraging because
many of the issues at the root of these tensions have been resolved. For
example, since the federal-provincial joint offer was presented to Six Nations leaders on April 17, 2006:
- Barbara McDougall and Jane Stewart have been appointed to work with Six Nations negotiators on land grievances and this table has been active, with progress being made.
- There is now a moratorium on development at the Douglas Creek Estates with its ownership and use to be determined at the negotiating table.
- Provincially owned lands in the Haldimand tract have been identified for consideration as part of the land grievance process.
- Real progress has been made and there has been a commitment throughout that these talks will accelerate further as peace returns to the community.
The remaining blockades have had a severe impact on the surrounding
community and continue to disrupt community activities, social life, the local economy and pose a continued threat to public safety.
We are asking that these blockades be removed as a matter of urgency in
order that the source of tensions in the communities be eliminated. This will mean that all involved can focus their resources and efforts to the task of resolving the outstanding issues at the table.
Just as importantly, removal of the blockades will give everyone in the
Caledonia community and Six Nations the opportunity to re-establish and
further develop healthy community relationships which they have developed together over many years of living side-by-side as friends and neighbours. This is what all responsible community members want and what they deserve to have.
Common to all of us who live in this wonderful country and province are the underlying and important values of peace and justice. We cannot and will not be intimidated by the activities of the violent few who will sometimes seek to disrupt these cherished human values."
-30-
/For further information: INAC media relations, (819) 953-1160,
Anne-Marie Flanagan, Press Secretary to Minister Ramsay, (416) 268-3690/
- - - - - - -
UBCIC Chiefs Council Supports Six Nations
Chiefs Council Unanimously Passes Haldimand Tract Lands Resolution
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Chiefs Council
June 7th – 8th, 2006
Vancouver, B.C.
Resolution no. 2006-15
Re: Six Nations: Haldimand Tract Lands
WHEREAS the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island enjoy undiminished traditional, inherent, judicial and Constitutional rights to their Indigenous homelands and territories;
WHEREAS the Government of Canada has consistently refused over the course of history and deliberately refused to recognize and reconcile the unresolved land rights issues of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island;
WHEREAS the outstanding issues associated with the conveyance of the Haldimand Tract Lands in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Haldimand Proclamation of 1850 need to be resolved to the satisfaction of the Six nations of the Grand River Territory;
WHEREAS the unresolved land rights issues of the Haldimand Tract Lands have resulted in a 100 day ongoing violent standoff in relation to a proposed commercial housing development known as the Douglas Creek Estates;
WHEREAS as tensions and frustrations escalate, the potential for violence continues to increase on a daily basis;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs fully supports the ongoing efforts of the Clan Mothers and Traditional Chiefs of the Iroquois Confederacy to achieve a peaceful resolution of the violent land rights dispute at the Douglas Creek estates subdivision site at Caledonia, Ontario; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs call upon Prime Minister Steven Harper and Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice to personally intervene in this violent land rights dispute and fully assume and immediately act upon the Government of Canada’s constitutional, judicial and fiduciary responsibility to peacefully resolve this outstanding land rights issue and subsequent escalation of violence in Caledonia, Ontario.
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT in the event that the Government of Canada, through the Prime Minister Steven Harper, fails to uphold its responsibility the UBCIC shall support the intervention of Rodolpho Stavenhagen in his role as the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples.
Moved: Chief Fred Sampson, Siska Indian Band
Seconded: Chief Archie Pootlass, Nuxalk Nation
Disposition: Carried
Date: June 8, 2006
For more information contact Chief Stewart Phillip, President at (250) 490-5314
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Ontario Provincial Police Association Media Release
TORONTO, June 12, 2006
The CPPA is the national voice for 54,000 police personnel serving across Canada. Through our 225 member associations, CPPA membership includes police personnel serving in police services from Canada's
smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal cities, provincial police services and members of the RCMP.
The OPP Association represents over 7,500 Ontario Provincial Police
uniformed and civilian members who provide community-based policing and specialized policing services to residents in over 460 municipalities across Ontario.
On the 10th of June 2006, the Board of Directors for the CPPA spoke
extensively about this issue and has adopted through motions the enclosed
resolutions.
CPPA RESOLUTION
SUPPORT FOR OPP OFFICERS IN CALEDONIA
Whereas the standoff and land dispute in Caledonia, Ontario has now surpassed 100 days making it the longest in Canadian history; and
whereas the front line officers of the Ontario Provincial Police and other police personnel are being placed in harms way each and every day that this standoff continues; and
whereas the deployment of officers to Caledonia is diminishing the level of police service and straining resources in other parts of Ontario;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) is united in its support of the police personnel who have been and will be deployed to Caledonia; and
be it further resolved that the CPPA supports a peaceful resolution to the standoff at Caledonia; and
be it finally resolved that the CPPA calls on parties on both sides of this conflict, including First Nations, federal government and provincial government decision makers, to make the safety of officers, protesters and the general public paramount in their minds as they seek a resolution
to this standoff.
CPPA RESOLUTION
CALL FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTION
Whereas the standoff and land dispute in Caledonia, Ontario has now surpassed 100 days making it the longest in Canadian history; and
whereas no lasting resolution has been achieved; and
whereas public safety and the safety of Ontario Provincial Police officers and other police personnel are being put further and further at risk with each passing day; and
whereas the cause of the standoff is a land claim dispute with both federal and provincial government implications; and these matters are clearly not only a provincial policing responsibility;
therefore, be it resolved that the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) calls upon the federal government to uphold its Constitutional obligations and take a lead role in bringing about a peaceful resolution to this standoff by remaining at the table in a fully engaged manner until this situation is resolved; and
be it further resolved that the CPPA will open a dialogue with the federal government to deliver the message that the law enforcement community fully expects that the federal government will play a key role in advancing solutions at Caledonia.
For further information: Should you have questions regarding this issue,
please contact those below for comment: President Tony Cannavino, CPPA,
(613) 231-4168; or President Karl Walsh, OPP Association, (705) 728-6161
- Violence Condemned
Clan Mothers /Confederacy Chiefs call for barricades removal
by Barricades Come Down! » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:21 pm
The Barricades Come Down!
"Early this morning, at the request of the Chiefs and Clan Mothers, the
last barricades have been removed from public roads surrounding the disputed lands at Douglas Creek."
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
June 13, 2006
The remaining barricades are down at the Six Nations land reclamation site near Caledonia.
This latest show of good faith by Confederacy Chief Allan Mcnaughton and the Clan Mothers is aimed at keeping the important land rights negotiations going.
The action follows this past weekend's violence, and subsequent uproar over the alleged behaviour of a few First Nations protestors.
Mohawk Chief Allen McNaughton said, "We have a mutual concern that
the rule of law has been threatened by a few individuals on both sides of the barricades - our law constituted by the Great Law of Peace as well as the laws of the Province of Ontario have not been upheld. Violence by any individuals will not help us to achieve our mutual goals. We hope that the removal of the last barricades will reduce the possibilities of future incidents."
In a news release, the Chiefs and Clan Mothers of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy stated they are adamant that these negotiations towards resolution to outstanding matters, including Haudenosaunee/Six Nations land rights and the recognition and reconciliation of Haudenosaunee/Six Nations governance must continue. These matters have been unresolved for way too long.
It was "a powder keg about to blow", stated NDP leader Jack Layton in the House of Commons, as he called on the federal government to settle the decades-old dispute . . . He asked the Prime Minister if "his party had learned nothing since OKA?".
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice proudly announced he was encouraged by the steps taken by Six Nations, "particularly Chief McNaughton and the Clan Mothers".
Prentice informed parliament that Six Nations took steps Tuesday "to remove the remaining barricades near Caledonia, including the rail line".
He said, "this goes a long way to removing a huge source of tension in the community, and to build trust".
The Indian Affairs Minister added, "we are encouraged, we continue to look forward to making progress and we are hopeful of what lies in the days ahead".
At Queens Park, Premier Dalton McGuinty who pulled out of negotiations Monday, said he wants the Confederacy to assist in the surrender of suspects believed to be at Osweken, Six Nations of the Grand Territory. McGuinty said the province would not negotiate until that matter is addressed.
However, the barricades are no longer an issue to contend with, and Cayuga Sub-Chief Leroy Hill stated that, "We look forward to continued negotiations to address the deeper and underlying issues of Six Nations land rights, and our relations with the Crown. With good will, innovation and pragmatic thinking, we are confident we can make that progress."
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
The Haudenosaunee has legally binding treaties with the Crown. The Two
Row Wampum belt and the Silver Covenant Chain affirm the nation to nation relationship between the Haudenosaunee and the Crown. These treaties acknowledge Haudenosaunee Sovereignty and recognize that each of our respective governments will continue to operate under its own laws and will not interfere with the affairs of each other's governments.
The Silver Covenant Chain speaks of a relationship between two
governments based upon Respect, Peace and Friendship. There needs to be a commitment by all to exercise "Kanikonriio" (having a "Good Mind") which means ensuring equality, justice, and the commitment to help each other in times of need.
- - - - - - -
Here is Hazel Hill's report June 12, 2006
Sago from Grand River.
Well, the news tonight while it sits heavy on the hearts of some, is a decision that was felt to be the best for all concerned. The remaining barricades around Kanestahton have been removed.
The confederacy council has asked the people to support them on this
decision. While there wasn't a consensus of the people, the majority of the
people felt that it was a decision that we should support.
First of all I have to assure everyone that this does not mean we are giving up our position on the land. The people are not leaving the land, nor do we intend to. We are calling Canada's bluff. The federal and provincial governments all along have stated that they will not negotiate on the issue of land while the barricades remain intact. Now we will see how honorable these people are.
For the people on the site, this is a hard pill to swallow.
Continuously throughout history it seems that it is our people who always
have to take the high road and it is we who have to give in to the threats
and demands of the colonialistic government. They peg us as the criminals
but it is they who have the guns, they who stole the land and they who
created the barricades in the first place by sending in the riot squad and
refusing to talk.
We know that the only reason the true Onkwehonweh government is at the table is because the barricades were up. Will Canada continue with the talks now that the barricades are down or have they played out their hand in order to pull the rug out from under our feet? At this point it is the trust in our confederacy and in our Creator that is what we are holding on to.
It is the trust and knowing that we are upholding the Law of Peace and our responsibilities that lie within that Law. It is the belief in our Sovereignty and our obligation to protect the land for the generations to come. Our negotiators believe that in order for talks to continue, this is the only position that we can take. For the people on the site, it is the distrust of the canadian government and their ability to speak with truth that concerns us. Who is to say that this isn't another trap and we're playing into their hands. I hope for Canada's sake that this isn't the case.
While I write to you, I have just been informed that the police build up around the site has increased. Ambulances are on stand by. Have we made a mistake, or are they merely continuing to keep a presence to
prevent the continued racial descrimination, hate crime's and violent
actions recently displayed by some of the residents of Caledonia.
This week in the media we have been portrayed as lawless and through the continued efforts of the government to incite a violent reaction, it has
resulted in 7 of our people with warrants out for their arrest. These
individuals have been brought before our clanmothers and chiefs to be held accountable for their actions according to the protocol of the
Kaierenekowah. They will be dealt with according to our Law, and Canada has to be reminded of the fact that they do not have the jurisdiction to enforce their laws on our people.
The charges to the say the least are an exaggeration of the truth. For instance, the beating of the CHTV 11 cameraman that resulted in his having to get stitches, was confirmed on their own sister radio station CHML that the injury was a result of his being hit in the head with a police billy club during the attempt by the opp to diffuse the situation. Yes, the opp did try to intervene. But that is not the way it was led to believe. It was made to look like our men violently beat this man and that the opp stood by and let it happen. I've seen picture's myself taken by one of our local newspaper reporters that showed clearly that the opp did step in to physically stop not just our men, but the CHTV men from throwing punches as well. It has also been reported that our people swarmed the car of an elderly couple who were only out "sight seeing". They did not report that the racial discrimination and insults that were directed at our people at the front gate of the site or the dangerous driving that resulted in one of our men being hit by this same car and why our men originally followed them to the Canadian Tire parking lot. It was not reported that while they state that they drove to the nearest place to seek help from the police that they drove right past the opp officers who were stationed only yards from the area where the incident occurred. Yes, our people did follow the couple to the Canadian tire parking lot. But that was because for some strange reason, they thought that they would somehow see justice given and that the deliberate action of trying to run one of our people down would result in charges being laid against the driver. How naïve of our people to think that this was even a possibility. Attempted murder charges have been made against another of our men who reacted violently at seeing the United States Border Patrol vehicle lurking around the site, having our people under surveillance, with the support and assistance of the opp. This agent, who was learned to be of the ATF (alcohol, tobacco and firearms) had to have been given government clearance to be near the site, not just for the day, but evidence shows that they have been in the area since early April.
The ATF agents normally are mandated to deal with terrorists. Obviously the government is trying to build a case against our people as terrorists to justify bringing in excessive force to physically remove us from the site. The government of Canada has yet to explain why, if they are seeking a peaceful resolution to this situation, have they enlisted the services of the United States government agencies to discredit the political positon of the Onkwehonweh on this land and try to peg this reclamation as a criminal activity rather than the political position that it is.
Furthermore, the government has yet to come to the table to deal with
the real issues of the Onkwehonweh. The issues are not the barricades, the issues are the Land, Our Sovereignty, Our Treaties and OUR responsibilities to the Kaierenekowah. It is not whether THEY understand them or even believe them, this is about US and who we are as a people. A NATION long before Canada even existed.
- - - - - - -
Previously reported . . .
The writing is on the wall . . . and it does not bode well for people at the Six Nations land reclamation site in Caledonia, Ontario.
The evidence is mounting, indicating that authorities intend to take action against the protestors.
Despite the fact the Confederacy was the first to condemn the actions of a few, following the weekend violence, Premier Dalton McGuinty ordered provincial officials to walk away from the land rights negotiations. He called for the removal of all barriacdes before talks can resume.
In British Columbia, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs reaffirmed its support for the Clan Mothers and Traditional Chiefs' efforts to bring about a peaceful end to the dispute. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs recognizes that as tensions and frustrations escalate, the potential for greater violence continues to increase on a daily basis.
At their chiefs council, they passed a resolution that calls upon Prime Minister Steven Harper and Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice to personally intervene in this violent land rights dispute and fully assume and immediately act upon the Government of Canada’s constitutional, judicial and fiduciary responsibility to peacefully resolve this outstanding land rights issue and subsequent escalation of violence in Caledonia, Ontario.
The resolution goes on to say that if the federal government fails to act, then the chiefs will call on the United Nations to intervene.
Another organization passed a resolution - this one by the Canadian Police Association noting the standoff and land dispute has now surpassed 100 days making it the longest in Canadian history.
It says the front line officers of the Ontario Provincial Police and other police personnel are being placed in harms way each and every day that this standoff continues and the deployment of officers to Caledonia is diminishing the level of police service and straining resources in other parts of Ontario.
The police association says it supports a peaceful resolution to the standoff and called on all parties to make the safety of officers, protesters and the general public paramount in their minds as they seek a resolution to this standoff.
The association's resolution called upon the federal government to uphold its Constitutional obligations and take a lead role in bringing about a peaceful resolution to this standoff by remaining at the table in a fully engaged manner until this situation is resolved.
The association plans to deliver the message to Ottawa that the law enforcement community fully expects that the federal government will play a key role in advancing solutions at Caledonia.
- - - - - - -
Ontario Legislature
Monday June 12th
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier.
The media reports from this weekend in Caledonia suggested that an OPP officer stated off camera that they had been instructed not to engage in violent commotion or activity between those occupying the land, other external groups such as the media, local community members and Ontarians travelling through the area. Can you confirm whether or not this is the case, and will you also confirm that no element whatsoever of that instruction has come from your government with respect to how they carry out their duties to protect the public?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I can in fact confirm that. I am not aware of what instructions any particular police officer may have been referencing, but certainly we have not provided instructions of any kind to the Ontario Provincial Police vis-à-vis Caledonia.
May I take this opportunity as well to extend my sympathies to all those affected by last Friday's violence? I know I will be joined -- I say this with confidence -- by every single member of this Legislature when we condemn those activities of those individuals. I can say as well that we have been negotiating in goodwill and in good faith, but this now makes it very difficult for us to have a basis for continuing discussions, and I will speak to that further in the supplementaries.
Mr. Tory: Again to the Premier, Caledonia has undergone more than 100 days of hardship for a conflict you and your government were informed about more than a year ago. Last week and this weekend, the incidents that you spoke about were things that I think shocked people. They saw a newspaper reporter for the Kitchener Record assaulted and robbed as someone held him by the throat and other people rifled through his vehicle. They saw an elderly man having a heart attack after he and his wife had their car stomped on and surrounded. They saw the two CH cameramen, of course, who were assaulted by a group of individuals.
Last week in the House, the Minister of Community Safety referred to an understanding that existed about where the police go or don't go. Who is that understanding with, and what involvement has anyone from your government had, including any public servants, in terms of discussions of that kind of understanding? Who is it with, and who has been involved in discussing it? Has anyone in your government -- public servant, politician or otherwise -- been involved in discussing such an understanding?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, and I'm not sure I could have been any more clear in my answer to the first question, we have not provided any kind of instruction to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Let me say that we have been negotiating with the First Nations community in good faith. We have established an expedited land claims settlement process. We've invited to that table the federal government. We are working as quickly as we can. We have put in place a moratorium on the development lands in question. But I can say that a condition of our being at the table was that public safety would not be compromised. In fact, last Friday it was without a doubt compromised.
I've asked the minister responsible for aboriginal issues to speak with the leadership of the First Nations community involved to relay that we are no longer prepared to continue negotiations until two important conditions are met: First of all, the barricades must come down, and they must stay down; and secondly, we are asking the leadership to co-operate in any way with the Ontario Provincial Police so that they might apprehend the individuals involved.
Mr. Tory: I'd like to ask the Premier two questions that arise in part out of that answer. The first question would be, now that the situation is the way it is, might you commit to holding at the appropriate time an independent investigation into what has gone on here so that all of these different understandings and instructions that seem to be floating around from somewhere and all the things that are going on that involve a breakdown of the rule of law can be independently investigated? I think people would take some comfort from knowing that at the appropriate time this will be looked into by someone independent so we'll all know how it went on, why it happened and that it won't happen again.
Secondly, what time limit have you placed on this business of saying that the barricades must come down and that the rule of law must be respected? When have you said this is going to come into effect? It's a new statement on your part. I commend you for it. When, specifically, is it going to come into effect?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Our government just conveyed this information to the First Nations leadership involved. The leader of the official opposition may know that this morning we issued a joint release, together with the federal government, demanding that the barricades in fact come down. Beyond that, we've also requested that the First Nations leadership co-operate with the Ontario Provincial Police when it comes to the apprehension of the individuals involved.
I can say -- and I know I say this on behalf of the people of Ontario -- that we will not brook any disagreement with respect to which law applies when it comes to alleged criminal activity. There is one law for all Ontarians and all Canadians when it comes to criminal misconduct, and that's the criminal law of Canada. That's why we're asking the leadership involved in the First Nations community to co-operate with the Ontario Provincial Police in order to ensure that the individuals involved might be apprehended.
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.
Mr. Tory: I could ask a very simple question: Where have you been? You said in your answer a moment ago that when the moratorium was placed on the development of the land and when the negotiations were set up and one of the barricades was brought down -- I believe I'm right that you said a condition of that deal was that public safety would be respected and the law would be respected. I think you -- your government -- said that some time ago. Now you're here today saying in no uncertain terms, "Take it from me. We're going to make sure that is the case."
1450
So I think it is reasonable to ask you, when? You entered into a deal three or four weeks ago, at which time the first barricade did come down, but all of the incidents we're talking about have happened since then. So I'm asking you again, by what date are you expecting that people will comply with these conditions that were in the old deal so that we can know that the rule of law is going to be restored in Caledonia? When is it going to happen?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition may know that we have been in discussion with the federal government in these matters. That's why we issued the joint release today. We said that it's a matter that is very urgent. We are not going to engage in brinksmanship. We are going to continue to act responsibly. We will do so in co-operation with the federal government, and we've deemed the matter urgent.
Mr. Tory: One of the things that has not yet happened is a visit by you to Caledonia, simply to meet with people face to face and really see what's going on there and listen to some of the people who live there and who I think have a combination of frustration, heartache and anger over a lot of these kinds of things.
I would ask you, if it isn't convenient or appropriate for you to go there, would you as premier of this province consider -- as part of the dialogue that has to go on and the personal conveyance of the message you've talked about today to all of the stakeholders involved -- calling these people in, showing this kind of leadership, to have them into your office to deal with them directly in conveying the message you have conveyed to this House today and make sure there is no misunderstanding, I would suggest with a date by which this is going to happen? Will you do that?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I think the leader of the official opposition knows that Mr. Levac, a member of the government, is on a community liaison table. He may know as well that Minister Cordiano has had an opportunity to meet with the community. But he will not know that Minister Ramsay met with the First Nations leadership this morning and conveyed this directly. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that we have very good channels of communications with the leadership and with the community and we will keep those open on an ongoing basis.
Mr. Tory: I'm delighted to hear that the minister finally has had a meeting with those individuals. I would suggest to you, respectfully, that there are other people in that community, because I have talked to them, who would welcome the opportunity to have a meeting as well, both to convey some thoughts they have on this matter and to be given the same message that you talked about conveying to the First Nations people, because everyone needs to understand that the rule of law is going to prevail. So I would ask you if you would consider asking the minister to do that.
Secondly, I would ask you one more time, as a constructive means of indicating that people will have their chance to be heard and to be listened to by somebody independent going forward, will you commit to having an independent investigation of this matter, this series of matters, including the land claims process and how we can make it better? Will your government commit to do that as a means of trying to further defuse the tension that exists today in Caledonia? Why won't you agree to that?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: No, I will not agree to that. I cannot understand how embarking upon yet another process at some point in the future will help us address the matter that is before us today.
In addition to the ongoing communication efforts and the table that has been put in place to expedite the land settlement claims process, we have also helped the local community with a $500,000 emergency assistance package for local businesses. We have delivered $50,000 to the local council to hire additional communications support. We've delivered $50,000 to help develop a marketing and economic recovery plan. Last week, we delivered a further $160,000 to local council to implement that plan. We are presently in discussions with the developer involved to see if we might find a way to offset some of their costs. We are working as hard as we can, bringing as much as we can possibly bear, to ensure that we resolve this matter as quickly as possible.
- - - - - - -
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 11, 2006
Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have issued arrest warrants for seven (7) people from the Six Nations Reclamation site. Charges include attempted murder, robbery, intimidation and causing bodily harm.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy deliberated this issue during Council on Saturday June 10th, 2006. The individuals involved in these incidents were brought before the Confederacy Chiefs and Clan Mothers, on Sunday, June 11, 2006, to discuss and understand the incidents. The Confederacy Chiefs and Clan Mothers spoke with these individuals about the Great Law of Peace and how it is to guide our actions. Our investigation is continuing.
It was decided that for the safety of all involved, these individuals would be removed from the site until our investigation is complete. We are working with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Six Nations Police to ensure the safety of all people within our respective jurisdictions.
Our investigation has indicated the “Border Securtiy” vehicle being driven by the “police officer” was actually an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm (ATF) vehicle from the United States of America. Two officers in the vehicle were from the United States of America accompanied by an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. We have found evidence that indicates these officers were in the area since April 2, 2006 assisting in the current policing of the occupation of the Six Nations Reclamation site. This is particularly concerning due to the reputation of the ATF.
The Haudenosaunee are dismayed that the OPP gave permission to these officers from the United States of America to assist in this situation without any prior communication to our people, this has incited an already tense situation. We are working with the Ontario Provincial Police to clarify this situation.
The Haudenosaunee has legally binding treaties with the Crown. The Two Row Wampum belt and the Silver Covenant Chain affirms the parameters of the relationship between our two governments. These treaties acknowledge the Sovereignty of our people and Nation. The Silver Covenant Chain speaks of a relationship between our two governments based upon Respect, Peace and Friendship. To have a good strong Friendship, there needs to be a commitment to exercise “Kanikonriio” that is the “Good Mind” which means equality, justice, and the Commitment to help each other in times of need.
The Two Row Wampum Belt identifies the nation to nation basis which are people are to deal with. The Two Row Wampum Belt depicts our governments operating within our own “canoes”. This means that each of our respective governments will continue to operate under their own laws and will not interfere with the affairs of the other governments.
Under our treaties the only issues which fall under the Crown’s jurisdiction are Murder, Rape and Theft. According to the Treaty of Fort Albany made with the Crown there is an extradition process which must be followed in order to address any of these three issues.
Our people follow the Great Law of Peace and are not a people of violence. The Haudenosaunee are committed to ensuring that the Great Law of Peace is respected and followed at the Reclamation Site.
Haudenosaunee Media Contact: April Powless (519) 717-3921
- - -
O.P.P. Investigate Three Violent Altercations Within One Hour
CALEDONIA, ON, June 11, 2006
On Friday June 9, 2006, the O.P.P. investigated three violent altercations that took place within one hour in the south end of Caledonia.
The first incident took place before noon and involved an elderly couple
from Simcoe who were visiting the Caledonia area when an altercation occurred between themselves and the "occupiers". An elderly male victim was taken to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville as a precaution.
The second incident involved two news Cameramen that were filming the
incident. One was swarmed, assaulted and had his camera stolen. He was
transported to West Haldimand General Hospital with non-life threatening
injuries.
The third incident involved the theft of a motor vehicle. This vehicle
was swarmed, the occupants forcibly removed, and then the vehicle was stolen.
During the theft an O.P.P. Officer was injured and deliberately driven at by
the stolen vehicle. Other officers at the scene pulled him to safety. The
O.P.P. officer was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
Overnight, there were several clashes between Police and Caledonians.
Five persons were arrested for Breach the Peace. Two were released shortly after their arrest and three were held overnight. All parties were released unconditionally. One officer suffered minor injuries when he was peppered sprayed.
As a result of investigations by members of the O.P.P., several suspects
that were involved in these incidents and other incidents have been
identified. Arrest Warrants have now been obtained.
Arrest warrants have been issued for the following:
---------------------------------------------------
Albert DOUGLAS age 30 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Robbery, Failing to Comply with his Bail Conditions (2 counts),
Attempt Murder, Forcible Confinement, Dangerous Driving, Assault Police
Officer, Theft of Motor Vehicle.
Audra Ann TAILLEFER age 45 of Victoria, British Columbia
Charges: Intimidation (2 counts), Robbery
Skylar WILLIAMS age 22 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Robbery
Arnold DOUGLAS age 61 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Intimidation (2 counts)
Trevor MILLER age 30 of no fixed address
Charges: Robbery, Theft of Motor Vehicle
Ken HILL age 47 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Assault (2 counts)
An arrest warrant is pending for one male suspect on a charge of Assault
Causing Bodily Harm.
For further information: Caledonia Media, (905) 765-9453
- - -
Six Nations Confederacy disheartened by incidents at Caledonia
CALEDONIA, ON, June 10, 2006
The actions which occurred at the Six Nations Reclamation site and within the town of Caledonia today are very disheartening. The Haudenosaunee are a people of peace and do not condone violence of any form. Our prayers and concern are with those who were injured during the outbreaks today. A peaceful co-existence with our neighbours and the safety of all remain at the paramount of our concerns.
The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations have been working with the Provincial and
Federal government to find a peaceful resolution to this tense situation. The negotiations have been promising as a way to work towards a peaceful resolution. The land rights of all our people are of great concern and are at the heart of this situation.
Our people follow the Great Law of Peace and are not a people of
violence. An investigation has been launched and the Six Nations police have been asked to assist in this process. The individuals who were involved in these incidents have been removed from the Reclamation Site until our investigation is complete. The findings from this situation will be raised before our Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council tomorrow.
The Haudenosaunee are committed to ensure that Great Law of Peace is
respected and followed at the Reclamation Site. Today's incidents are
reflective of the misjudgment and reactions of a limited few. Those
individuals will be dealt with in a manner harmonious with the Great Law of
Peace. We are committed to working with the Ontario Provincial Police to de-escalate this situation.
"Early this morning, at the request of the Chiefs and Clan Mothers, the
last barricades have been removed from public roads surrounding the disputed lands at Douglas Creek."
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org
June 13, 2006
The remaining barricades are down at the Six Nations land reclamation site near Caledonia.
This latest show of good faith by Confederacy Chief Allan Mcnaughton and the Clan Mothers is aimed at keeping the important land rights negotiations going.
The action follows this past weekend's violence, and subsequent uproar over the alleged behaviour of a few First Nations protestors.
Mohawk Chief Allen McNaughton said, "We have a mutual concern that
the rule of law has been threatened by a few individuals on both sides of the barricades - our law constituted by the Great Law of Peace as well as the laws of the Province of Ontario have not been upheld. Violence by any individuals will not help us to achieve our mutual goals. We hope that the removal of the last barricades will reduce the possibilities of future incidents."
In a news release, the Chiefs and Clan Mothers of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy stated they are adamant that these negotiations towards resolution to outstanding matters, including Haudenosaunee/Six Nations land rights and the recognition and reconciliation of Haudenosaunee/Six Nations governance must continue. These matters have been unresolved for way too long.
It was "a powder keg about to blow", stated NDP leader Jack Layton in the House of Commons, as he called on the federal government to settle the decades-old dispute . . . He asked the Prime Minister if "his party had learned nothing since OKA?".
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice proudly announced he was encouraged by the steps taken by Six Nations, "particularly Chief McNaughton and the Clan Mothers".
Prentice informed parliament that Six Nations took steps Tuesday "to remove the remaining barricades near Caledonia, including the rail line".
He said, "this goes a long way to removing a huge source of tension in the community, and to build trust".
The Indian Affairs Minister added, "we are encouraged, we continue to look forward to making progress and we are hopeful of what lies in the days ahead".
At Queens Park, Premier Dalton McGuinty who pulled out of negotiations Monday, said he wants the Confederacy to assist in the surrender of suspects believed to be at Osweken, Six Nations of the Grand Territory. McGuinty said the province would not negotiate until that matter is addressed.
However, the barricades are no longer an issue to contend with, and Cayuga Sub-Chief Leroy Hill stated that, "We look forward to continued negotiations to address the deeper and underlying issues of Six Nations land rights, and our relations with the Crown. With good will, innovation and pragmatic thinking, we are confident we can make that progress."
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-sixnations.htm
The Haudenosaunee has legally binding treaties with the Crown. The Two
Row Wampum belt and the Silver Covenant Chain affirm the nation to nation relationship between the Haudenosaunee and the Crown. These treaties acknowledge Haudenosaunee Sovereignty and recognize that each of our respective governments will continue to operate under its own laws and will not interfere with the affairs of each other's governments.
The Silver Covenant Chain speaks of a relationship between two
governments based upon Respect, Peace and Friendship. There needs to be a commitment by all to exercise "Kanikonriio" (having a "Good Mind") which means ensuring equality, justice, and the commitment to help each other in times of need.
- - - - - - -
Here is Hazel Hill's report June 12, 2006
Sago from Grand River.
Well, the news tonight while it sits heavy on the hearts of some, is a decision that was felt to be the best for all concerned. The remaining barricades around Kanestahton have been removed.
The confederacy council has asked the people to support them on this
decision. While there wasn't a consensus of the people, the majority of the
people felt that it was a decision that we should support.
First of all I have to assure everyone that this does not mean we are giving up our position on the land. The people are not leaving the land, nor do we intend to. We are calling Canada's bluff. The federal and provincial governments all along have stated that they will not negotiate on the issue of land while the barricades remain intact. Now we will see how honorable these people are.
For the people on the site, this is a hard pill to swallow.
Continuously throughout history it seems that it is our people who always
have to take the high road and it is we who have to give in to the threats
and demands of the colonialistic government. They peg us as the criminals
but it is they who have the guns, they who stole the land and they who
created the barricades in the first place by sending in the riot squad and
refusing to talk.
We know that the only reason the true Onkwehonweh government is at the table is because the barricades were up. Will Canada continue with the talks now that the barricades are down or have they played out their hand in order to pull the rug out from under our feet? At this point it is the trust in our confederacy and in our Creator that is what we are holding on to.
It is the trust and knowing that we are upholding the Law of Peace and our responsibilities that lie within that Law. It is the belief in our Sovereignty and our obligation to protect the land for the generations to come. Our negotiators believe that in order for talks to continue, this is the only position that we can take. For the people on the site, it is the distrust of the canadian government and their ability to speak with truth that concerns us. Who is to say that this isn't another trap and we're playing into their hands. I hope for Canada's sake that this isn't the case.
While I write to you, I have just been informed that the police build up around the site has increased. Ambulances are on stand by. Have we made a mistake, or are they merely continuing to keep a presence to
prevent the continued racial descrimination, hate crime's and violent
actions recently displayed by some of the residents of Caledonia.
This week in the media we have been portrayed as lawless and through the continued efforts of the government to incite a violent reaction, it has
resulted in 7 of our people with warrants out for their arrest. These
individuals have been brought before our clanmothers and chiefs to be held accountable for their actions according to the protocol of the
Kaierenekowah. They will be dealt with according to our Law, and Canada has to be reminded of the fact that they do not have the jurisdiction to enforce their laws on our people.
The charges to the say the least are an exaggeration of the truth. For instance, the beating of the CHTV 11 cameraman that resulted in his having to get stitches, was confirmed on their own sister radio station CHML that the injury was a result of his being hit in the head with a police billy club during the attempt by the opp to diffuse the situation. Yes, the opp did try to intervene. But that is not the way it was led to believe. It was made to look like our men violently beat this man and that the opp stood by and let it happen. I've seen picture's myself taken by one of our local newspaper reporters that showed clearly that the opp did step in to physically stop not just our men, but the CHTV men from throwing punches as well. It has also been reported that our people swarmed the car of an elderly couple who were only out "sight seeing". They did not report that the racial discrimination and insults that were directed at our people at the front gate of the site or the dangerous driving that resulted in one of our men being hit by this same car and why our men originally followed them to the Canadian Tire parking lot. It was not reported that while they state that they drove to the nearest place to seek help from the police that they drove right past the opp officers who were stationed only yards from the area where the incident occurred. Yes, our people did follow the couple to the Canadian tire parking lot. But that was because for some strange reason, they thought that they would somehow see justice given and that the deliberate action of trying to run one of our people down would result in charges being laid against the driver. How naïve of our people to think that this was even a possibility. Attempted murder charges have been made against another of our men who reacted violently at seeing the United States Border Patrol vehicle lurking around the site, having our people under surveillance, with the support and assistance of the opp. This agent, who was learned to be of the ATF (alcohol, tobacco and firearms) had to have been given government clearance to be near the site, not just for the day, but evidence shows that they have been in the area since early April.
The ATF agents normally are mandated to deal with terrorists. Obviously the government is trying to build a case against our people as terrorists to justify bringing in excessive force to physically remove us from the site. The government of Canada has yet to explain why, if they are seeking a peaceful resolution to this situation, have they enlisted the services of the United States government agencies to discredit the political positon of the Onkwehonweh on this land and try to peg this reclamation as a criminal activity rather than the political position that it is.
Furthermore, the government has yet to come to the table to deal with
the real issues of the Onkwehonweh. The issues are not the barricades, the issues are the Land, Our Sovereignty, Our Treaties and OUR responsibilities to the Kaierenekowah. It is not whether THEY understand them or even believe them, this is about US and who we are as a people. A NATION long before Canada even existed.
- - - - - - -
Previously reported . . .
The writing is on the wall . . . and it does not bode well for people at the Six Nations land reclamation site in Caledonia, Ontario.
The evidence is mounting, indicating that authorities intend to take action against the protestors.
Despite the fact the Confederacy was the first to condemn the actions of a few, following the weekend violence, Premier Dalton McGuinty ordered provincial officials to walk away from the land rights negotiations. He called for the removal of all barriacdes before talks can resume.
In British Columbia, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs reaffirmed its support for the Clan Mothers and Traditional Chiefs' efforts to bring about a peaceful end to the dispute. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs recognizes that as tensions and frustrations escalate, the potential for greater violence continues to increase on a daily basis.
At their chiefs council, they passed a resolution that calls upon Prime Minister Steven Harper and Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice to personally intervene in this violent land rights dispute and fully assume and immediately act upon the Government of Canada’s constitutional, judicial and fiduciary responsibility to peacefully resolve this outstanding land rights issue and subsequent escalation of violence in Caledonia, Ontario.
The resolution goes on to say that if the federal government fails to act, then the chiefs will call on the United Nations to intervene.
Another organization passed a resolution - this one by the Canadian Police Association noting the standoff and land dispute has now surpassed 100 days making it the longest in Canadian history.
It says the front line officers of the Ontario Provincial Police and other police personnel are being placed in harms way each and every day that this standoff continues and the deployment of officers to Caledonia is diminishing the level of police service and straining resources in other parts of Ontario.
The police association says it supports a peaceful resolution to the standoff and called on all parties to make the safety of officers, protesters and the general public paramount in their minds as they seek a resolution to this standoff.
The association's resolution called upon the federal government to uphold its Constitutional obligations and take a lead role in bringing about a peaceful resolution to this standoff by remaining at the table in a fully engaged manner until this situation is resolved.
The association plans to deliver the message to Ottawa that the law enforcement community fully expects that the federal government will play a key role in advancing solutions at Caledonia.
- - - - - - -
Ontario Legislature
Monday June 12th
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier.
The media reports from this weekend in Caledonia suggested that an OPP officer stated off camera that they had been instructed not to engage in violent commotion or activity between those occupying the land, other external groups such as the media, local community members and Ontarians travelling through the area. Can you confirm whether or not this is the case, and will you also confirm that no element whatsoever of that instruction has come from your government with respect to how they carry out their duties to protect the public?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I can in fact confirm that. I am not aware of what instructions any particular police officer may have been referencing, but certainly we have not provided instructions of any kind to the Ontario Provincial Police vis-à-vis Caledonia.
May I take this opportunity as well to extend my sympathies to all those affected by last Friday's violence? I know I will be joined -- I say this with confidence -- by every single member of this Legislature when we condemn those activities of those individuals. I can say as well that we have been negotiating in goodwill and in good faith, but this now makes it very difficult for us to have a basis for continuing discussions, and I will speak to that further in the supplementaries.
Mr. Tory: Again to the Premier, Caledonia has undergone more than 100 days of hardship for a conflict you and your government were informed about more than a year ago. Last week and this weekend, the incidents that you spoke about were things that I think shocked people. They saw a newspaper reporter for the Kitchener Record assaulted and robbed as someone held him by the throat and other people rifled through his vehicle. They saw an elderly man having a heart attack after he and his wife had their car stomped on and surrounded. They saw the two CH cameramen, of course, who were assaulted by a group of individuals.
Last week in the House, the Minister of Community Safety referred to an understanding that existed about where the police go or don't go. Who is that understanding with, and what involvement has anyone from your government had, including any public servants, in terms of discussions of that kind of understanding? Who is it with, and who has been involved in discussing it? Has anyone in your government -- public servant, politician or otherwise -- been involved in discussing such an understanding?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, and I'm not sure I could have been any more clear in my answer to the first question, we have not provided any kind of instruction to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Let me say that we have been negotiating with the First Nations community in good faith. We have established an expedited land claims settlement process. We've invited to that table the federal government. We are working as quickly as we can. We have put in place a moratorium on the development lands in question. But I can say that a condition of our being at the table was that public safety would not be compromised. In fact, last Friday it was without a doubt compromised.
I've asked the minister responsible for aboriginal issues to speak with the leadership of the First Nations community involved to relay that we are no longer prepared to continue negotiations until two important conditions are met: First of all, the barricades must come down, and they must stay down; and secondly, we are asking the leadership to co-operate in any way with the Ontario Provincial Police so that they might apprehend the individuals involved.
Mr. Tory: I'd like to ask the Premier two questions that arise in part out of that answer. The first question would be, now that the situation is the way it is, might you commit to holding at the appropriate time an independent investigation into what has gone on here so that all of these different understandings and instructions that seem to be floating around from somewhere and all the things that are going on that involve a breakdown of the rule of law can be independently investigated? I think people would take some comfort from knowing that at the appropriate time this will be looked into by someone independent so we'll all know how it went on, why it happened and that it won't happen again.
Secondly, what time limit have you placed on this business of saying that the barricades must come down and that the rule of law must be respected? When have you said this is going to come into effect? It's a new statement on your part. I commend you for it. When, specifically, is it going to come into effect?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Our government just conveyed this information to the First Nations leadership involved. The leader of the official opposition may know that this morning we issued a joint release, together with the federal government, demanding that the barricades in fact come down. Beyond that, we've also requested that the First Nations leadership co-operate with the Ontario Provincial Police when it comes to the apprehension of the individuals involved.
I can say -- and I know I say this on behalf of the people of Ontario -- that we will not brook any disagreement with respect to which law applies when it comes to alleged criminal activity. There is one law for all Ontarians and all Canadians when it comes to criminal misconduct, and that's the criminal law of Canada. That's why we're asking the leadership involved in the First Nations community to co-operate with the Ontario Provincial Police in order to ensure that the individuals involved might be apprehended.
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.
Mr. Tory: I could ask a very simple question: Where have you been? You said in your answer a moment ago that when the moratorium was placed on the development of the land and when the negotiations were set up and one of the barricades was brought down -- I believe I'm right that you said a condition of that deal was that public safety would be respected and the law would be respected. I think you -- your government -- said that some time ago. Now you're here today saying in no uncertain terms, "Take it from me. We're going to make sure that is the case."
1450
So I think it is reasonable to ask you, when? You entered into a deal three or four weeks ago, at which time the first barricade did come down, but all of the incidents we're talking about have happened since then. So I'm asking you again, by what date are you expecting that people will comply with these conditions that were in the old deal so that we can know that the rule of law is going to be restored in Caledonia? When is it going to happen?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition may know that we have been in discussion with the federal government in these matters. That's why we issued the joint release today. We said that it's a matter that is very urgent. We are not going to engage in brinksmanship. We are going to continue to act responsibly. We will do so in co-operation with the federal government, and we've deemed the matter urgent.
Mr. Tory: One of the things that has not yet happened is a visit by you to Caledonia, simply to meet with people face to face and really see what's going on there and listen to some of the people who live there and who I think have a combination of frustration, heartache and anger over a lot of these kinds of things.
I would ask you, if it isn't convenient or appropriate for you to go there, would you as premier of this province consider -- as part of the dialogue that has to go on and the personal conveyance of the message you've talked about today to all of the stakeholders involved -- calling these people in, showing this kind of leadership, to have them into your office to deal with them directly in conveying the message you have conveyed to this House today and make sure there is no misunderstanding, I would suggest with a date by which this is going to happen? Will you do that?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I think the leader of the official opposition knows that Mr. Levac, a member of the government, is on a community liaison table. He may know as well that Minister Cordiano has had an opportunity to meet with the community. But he will not know that Minister Ramsay met with the First Nations leadership this morning and conveyed this directly. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that we have very good channels of communications with the leadership and with the community and we will keep those open on an ongoing basis.
Mr. Tory: I'm delighted to hear that the minister finally has had a meeting with those individuals. I would suggest to you, respectfully, that there are other people in that community, because I have talked to them, who would welcome the opportunity to have a meeting as well, both to convey some thoughts they have on this matter and to be given the same message that you talked about conveying to the First Nations people, because everyone needs to understand that the rule of law is going to prevail. So I would ask you if you would consider asking the minister to do that.
Secondly, I would ask you one more time, as a constructive means of indicating that people will have their chance to be heard and to be listened to by somebody independent going forward, will you commit to having an independent investigation of this matter, this series of matters, including the land claims process and how we can make it better? Will your government commit to do that as a means of trying to further defuse the tension that exists today in Caledonia? Why won't you agree to that?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: No, I will not agree to that. I cannot understand how embarking upon yet another process at some point in the future will help us address the matter that is before us today.
In addition to the ongoing communication efforts and the table that has been put in place to expedite the land settlement claims process, we have also helped the local community with a $500,000 emergency assistance package for local businesses. We have delivered $50,000 to the local council to hire additional communications support. We've delivered $50,000 to help develop a marketing and economic recovery plan. Last week, we delivered a further $160,000 to local council to implement that plan. We are presently in discussions with the developer involved to see if we might find a way to offset some of their costs. We are working as hard as we can, bringing as much as we can possibly bear, to ensure that we resolve this matter as quickly as possible.
- - - - - - -
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 11, 2006
Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have issued arrest warrants for seven (7) people from the Six Nations Reclamation site. Charges include attempted murder, robbery, intimidation and causing bodily harm.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy deliberated this issue during Council on Saturday June 10th, 2006. The individuals involved in these incidents were brought before the Confederacy Chiefs and Clan Mothers, on Sunday, June 11, 2006, to discuss and understand the incidents. The Confederacy Chiefs and Clan Mothers spoke with these individuals about the Great Law of Peace and how it is to guide our actions. Our investigation is continuing.
It was decided that for the safety of all involved, these individuals would be removed from the site until our investigation is complete. We are working with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Six Nations Police to ensure the safety of all people within our respective jurisdictions.
Our investigation has indicated the “Border Securtiy” vehicle being driven by the “police officer” was actually an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm (ATF) vehicle from the United States of America. Two officers in the vehicle were from the United States of America accompanied by an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. We have found evidence that indicates these officers were in the area since April 2, 2006 assisting in the current policing of the occupation of the Six Nations Reclamation site. This is particularly concerning due to the reputation of the ATF.
The Haudenosaunee are dismayed that the OPP gave permission to these officers from the United States of America to assist in this situation without any prior communication to our people, this has incited an already tense situation. We are working with the Ontario Provincial Police to clarify this situation.
The Haudenosaunee has legally binding treaties with the Crown. The Two Row Wampum belt and the Silver Covenant Chain affirms the parameters of the relationship between our two governments. These treaties acknowledge the Sovereignty of our people and Nation. The Silver Covenant Chain speaks of a relationship between our two governments based upon Respect, Peace and Friendship. To have a good strong Friendship, there needs to be a commitment to exercise “Kanikonriio” that is the “Good Mind” which means equality, justice, and the Commitment to help each other in times of need.
The Two Row Wampum Belt identifies the nation to nation basis which are people are to deal with. The Two Row Wampum Belt depicts our governments operating within our own “canoes”. This means that each of our respective governments will continue to operate under their own laws and will not interfere with the affairs of the other governments.
Under our treaties the only issues which fall under the Crown’s jurisdiction are Murder, Rape and Theft. According to the Treaty of Fort Albany made with the Crown there is an extradition process which must be followed in order to address any of these three issues.
Our people follow the Great Law of Peace and are not a people of violence. The Haudenosaunee are committed to ensuring that the Great Law of Peace is respected and followed at the Reclamation Site.
Haudenosaunee Media Contact: April Powless (519) 717-3921
- - -
O.P.P. Investigate Three Violent Altercations Within One Hour
CALEDONIA, ON, June 11, 2006
On Friday June 9, 2006, the O.P.P. investigated three violent altercations that took place within one hour in the south end of Caledonia.
The first incident took place before noon and involved an elderly couple
from Simcoe who were visiting the Caledonia area when an altercation occurred between themselves and the "occupiers". An elderly male victim was taken to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville as a precaution.
The second incident involved two news Cameramen that were filming the
incident. One was swarmed, assaulted and had his camera stolen. He was
transported to West Haldimand General Hospital with non-life threatening
injuries.
The third incident involved the theft of a motor vehicle. This vehicle
was swarmed, the occupants forcibly removed, and then the vehicle was stolen.
During the theft an O.P.P. Officer was injured and deliberately driven at by
the stolen vehicle. Other officers at the scene pulled him to safety. The
O.P.P. officer was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
Overnight, there were several clashes between Police and Caledonians.
Five persons were arrested for Breach the Peace. Two were released shortly after their arrest and three were held overnight. All parties were released unconditionally. One officer suffered minor injuries when he was peppered sprayed.
As a result of investigations by members of the O.P.P., several suspects
that were involved in these incidents and other incidents have been
identified. Arrest Warrants have now been obtained.
Arrest warrants have been issued for the following:
---------------------------------------------------
Albert DOUGLAS age 30 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Robbery, Failing to Comply with his Bail Conditions (2 counts),
Attempt Murder, Forcible Confinement, Dangerous Driving, Assault Police
Officer, Theft of Motor Vehicle.
Audra Ann TAILLEFER age 45 of Victoria, British Columbia
Charges: Intimidation (2 counts), Robbery
Skylar WILLIAMS age 22 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Robbery
Arnold DOUGLAS age 61 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Intimidation (2 counts)
Trevor MILLER age 30 of no fixed address
Charges: Robbery, Theft of Motor Vehicle
Ken HILL age 47 of Ohsweken, Ontario
Charges: Assault (2 counts)
An arrest warrant is pending for one male suspect on a charge of Assault
Causing Bodily Harm.
For further information: Caledonia Media, (905) 765-9453
- - -
Six Nations Confederacy disheartened by incidents at Caledonia
CALEDONIA, ON, June 10, 2006
The actions which occurred at the Six Nations Reclamation site and within the town of Caledonia today are very disheartening. The Haudenosaunee are a people of peace and do not condone violence of any form. Our prayers and concern are with those who were injured during the outbreaks today. A peaceful co-existence with our neighbours and the safety of all remain at the paramount of our concerns.
The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations have been working with the Provincial and
Federal government to find a peaceful resolution to this tense situation. The negotiations have been promising as a way to work towards a peaceful resolution. The land rights of all our people are of great concern and are at the heart of this situation.
Our people follow the Great Law of Peace and are not a people of
violence. An investigation has been launched and the Six Nations police have been asked to assist in this process. The individuals who were involved in these incidents have been removed from the Reclamation Site until our investigation is complete. The findings from this situation will be raised before our Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council tomorrow.
The Haudenosaunee are committed to ensure that Great Law of Peace is
respected and followed at the Reclamation Site. Today's incidents are
reflective of the misjudgment and reactions of a limited few. Those
individuals will be dealt with in a manner harmonious with the Great Law of
Peace. We are committed to working with the Ontario Provincial Police to de-escalate this situation.
- Barricades Come Down!
The fundamental legal issue is First Nations land claims
by Six Nations and the Law » Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:37 pm
Concerns about rule of law in Caledonia
Province's purchase of land means injunctions could go by wayside
Written by Helen Burnett
Monday, 26 June 2006
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/index.php?o ... &Itemid=82
- - - - - - -
Arrest warrant executed
On Friday, June 16, 2006, Six Nations Police executed an arrest warrant relating to a June 9th incident in Caledonia, Ontario.
Custody of the individual was transferred to the Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police.
Charged with Intimidation and Robbery is Audra Ann Taillefer, age 45, of Victoria, British Columbia.
The charges are in relation to an incident that took place before noon on
June 9th, 2006 involving an elderly couple from Simcoe, Ontario who were
visiting the Caledonia area.
An altercation occurred between the couple and the "occupiers" resulting in an elderly male victim being taken to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville as a precaution.
Audra Ann Taillefer will appear in Cayuga Court to answer to the charges.
For further information: OPP Media Centre, Caledonia, (905) 765-9453
- - - - - - -
"The fundamental legal issue here is First Nations land claims. Land claims are legal matters and lawful obligations. They are unfinished business between First Nations and Canada." AFN National Chief
Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Ask All Communities To Maintain Peace As Parties Continue Efforts Towards Peaceful Resolution
TORONTO, June 15, 2006
The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Main Negotiation Table is pleased to announce that meetings proceeded on Thursday June 15, 2006 with the removal of barricades in Caledonia.
The Main Table is taking steps towards finding a peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues between the parties and will be meeting again on Friday, June 16, 2006 to continue discussions.
The Main Table is encouraged by the collective efforts of the involved
communities who have continued to seek a resolution based upon mutual respect, peace and friendship.
The representatives at the Main Table ask that all communities maintain the peace so that the parties may continue to work towards resolution.
-30-
/For further information: Ian Sadinsky, Canada, (613) 223-6287, or (613)
727-0903; April Powless, Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, (519) 717-3921; Lars Eedy, Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs, (416) 326-4759/
- - - - - - -
ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS
Statement by Assembly of First Nations on the Situation at Six Nations-Caledonia
OTTAWA, June 15, 2006
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine issued the following statement today on the current situation at Six Nations-Caledonia:
"The Assembly of First Nations commends the Haudenosuanee/Six Nations
Confederacy for their show of goodwill and good faith in removing barricades in the vicinity of Six Nations-Caledonia. This move has resulted in all parties returning to the table for negotiations which we understand will resume today. We maintain, as we have from the beginning, that respectful dialogue and negotiations is the right way to resolve these issues.
We caution against any calls by the public, politicians or media for the
use of aggressive action. This will only serve to increase tensions and could de-rail a peaceful resolution to this situation. First Nations and Canadians across the country are watching the events and developments at Six Nations-Caledonia. Peaceful resolution will send the right message that we can work together to find solutions that are fair and just.
Saying that the law must prevail in Caledonia and across Canada also
means dealing with the legitimate, lawful claims of First Nations in a manner that is fair and just. As negotiations resume it is my understanding that a planting ceremony will be held at the Burch facility, on land that will be returned to the Six Nations. We wish all parties involved in the resolution of these issues a good harvest, as well as good thoughts, good hearts and good minds in their negotiations."
Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Assembly of First Nations
Caledonia and the "Rule of Law"
It has been said that the rule of law must prevail. But the rule of law
in this case is about more than protecting people and property, as important as that is. The fundamental legal issue here is First Nations land claims. Land claims are legal matters and lawful obligations. They are unfinished business between First Nations and Canada.
Unfortunately, the current federal claims process is painfully slow and
inherently unjust. Canada acts as judge and jury, deciding what is and is not a valid claim, what is on the table for negotiations and then negotiating the claim against itself.
The result is a process that is agonizingly slow. It takes an average of
10 years for a single specific claim to make its way through the system. There are at least 1,100 specific claims before Canada. About 300 of these have been validated, which means they can begin their long, slow march through the system.
Comprehensive land claims are generally more complex and take even more time. According to the Auditor General they take, on average, 29 years - almost three decades - to resolve.
We need a better process to resolve claims, one that is effective, fair
and efficient. In 1998, a Joint AFN-Federal Task Force on Claims issued a
report with recommendations to create a better process, one that is truly
independent, faster and more cost-effective. It had the support of First
Nations and federal representatives. All that is needed is the political will
to institute this process.
It is in all our interests to establish a new way to resolve claims.
Doing so will provide First Nations a solid foundation to build our economies
and improve our quality of life, provide government and industry the certainty they need to get on with their business, and provide a climate of hope and optimism for all Canadians.
Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Assembly of First Nations
-30-
/For further information: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director, (613)
241-6789 ext. 320, cell (613) 292-2787; Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual
Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789, ext. 336, cell (613) 859-4335/
- - - - - - -
Why DO Specific CLaims Take So Long to Resolve?
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... php?t=4613
Province's purchase of land means injunctions could go by wayside
Written by Helen Burnett
Monday, 26 June 2006
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/index.php?o ... &Itemid=82
- - - - - - -
Arrest warrant executed
On Friday, June 16, 2006, Six Nations Police executed an arrest warrant relating to a June 9th incident in Caledonia, Ontario.
Custody of the individual was transferred to the Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police.
Charged with Intimidation and Robbery is Audra Ann Taillefer, age 45, of Victoria, British Columbia.
The charges are in relation to an incident that took place before noon on
June 9th, 2006 involving an elderly couple from Simcoe, Ontario who were
visiting the Caledonia area.
An altercation occurred between the couple and the "occupiers" resulting in an elderly male victim being taken to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville as a precaution.
Audra Ann Taillefer will appear in Cayuga Court to answer to the charges.
For further information: OPP Media Centre, Caledonia, (905) 765-9453
- - - - - - -
"The fundamental legal issue here is First Nations land claims. Land claims are legal matters and lawful obligations. They are unfinished business between First Nations and Canada." AFN National Chief
Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Ask All Communities To Maintain Peace As Parties Continue Efforts Towards Peaceful Resolution
TORONTO, June 15, 2006
The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Main Negotiation Table is pleased to announce that meetings proceeded on Thursday June 15, 2006 with the removal of barricades in Caledonia.
The Main Table is taking steps towards finding a peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues between the parties and will be meeting again on Friday, June 16, 2006 to continue discussions.
The Main Table is encouraged by the collective efforts of the involved
communities who have continued to seek a resolution based upon mutual respect, peace and friendship.
The representatives at the Main Table ask that all communities maintain the peace so that the parties may continue to work towards resolution.
-30-
/For further information: Ian Sadinsky, Canada, (613) 223-6287, or (613)
727-0903; April Powless, Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, (519) 717-3921; Lars Eedy, Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs, (416) 326-4759/
- - - - - - -
ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS
Statement by Assembly of First Nations on the Situation at Six Nations-Caledonia
OTTAWA, June 15, 2006
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine issued the following statement today on the current situation at Six Nations-Caledonia:
"The Assembly of First Nations commends the Haudenosuanee/Six Nations
Confederacy for their show of goodwill and good faith in removing barricades in the vicinity of Six Nations-Caledonia. This move has resulted in all parties returning to the table for negotiations which we understand will resume today. We maintain, as we have from the beginning, that respectful dialogue and negotiations is the right way to resolve these issues.
We caution against any calls by the public, politicians or media for the
use of aggressive action. This will only serve to increase tensions and could de-rail a peaceful resolution to this situation. First Nations and Canadians across the country are watching the events and developments at Six Nations-Caledonia. Peaceful resolution will send the right message that we can work together to find solutions that are fair and just.
Saying that the law must prevail in Caledonia and across Canada also
means dealing with the legitimate, lawful claims of First Nations in a manner that is fair and just. As negotiations resume it is my understanding that a planting ceremony will be held at the Burch facility, on land that will be returned to the Six Nations. We wish all parties involved in the resolution of these issues a good harvest, as well as good thoughts, good hearts and good minds in their negotiations."
Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Assembly of First Nations
Caledonia and the "Rule of Law"
It has been said that the rule of law must prevail. But the rule of law
in this case is about more than protecting people and property, as important as that is. The fundamental legal issue here is First Nations land claims. Land claims are legal matters and lawful obligations. They are unfinished business between First Nations and Canada.
Unfortunately, the current federal claims process is painfully slow and
inherently unjust. Canada acts as judge and jury, deciding what is and is not a valid claim, what is on the table for negotiations and then negotiating the claim against itself.
The result is a process that is agonizingly slow. It takes an average of
10 years for a single specific claim to make its way through the system. There are at least 1,100 specific claims before Canada. About 300 of these have been validated, which means they can begin their long, slow march through the system.
Comprehensive land claims are generally more complex and take even more time. According to the Auditor General they take, on average, 29 years - almost three decades - to resolve.
We need a better process to resolve claims, one that is effective, fair
and efficient. In 1998, a Joint AFN-Federal Task Force on Claims issued a
report with recommendations to create a better process, one that is truly
independent, faster and more cost-effective. It had the support of First
Nations and federal representatives. All that is needed is the political will
to institute this process.
It is in all our interests to establish a new way to resolve claims.
Doing so will provide First Nations a solid foundation to build our economies
and improve our quality of life, provide government and industry the certainty they need to get on with their business, and provide a climate of hope and optimism for all Canadians.
Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Assembly of First Nations
-30-
/For further information: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director, (613)
241-6789 ext. 320, cell (613) 292-2787; Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual
Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789, ext. 336, cell (613) 859-4335/
- - - - - - -
Why DO Specific CLaims Take So Long to Resolve?
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... php?t=4613
- Six Nations and the Law
Political debate over Caledonia Dispute
by Pressure to End Protest » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:11 am
June 21, 2006
UPDATE!
As people in Toronto celebrated National Aboriginal Day, dozens of residents of Caledonia, marched in the city to press the government to end the protest by Six Nations.
- - - - - - -
A judge once again called for the officials to explain why his orders to end the protest have not been enforced by the police.
- - - - - - -
At Queens Park, after all the party spokesmen said nice things about Aboriginal Day, as Caledonia residents watched from the public gallery, there was renewed debate about the Six Nations dispute at Caledonia. . .
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. Today, the people of Caledonia -- and some are still here in the House with us this afternoon -- decided to pay you a visit, the mountain coming to McGuinty, as it were. The people here tell us that they've come to ask for your help. For months on end, they have lived in fear in their own communities and even in their own homes. The lawlessness that has taken place on and off now for more than 110 days has left them in a very dire state, and they feel there is no one looking out for their safety and that of their families. They quite frankly feel abandoned.
A week after you set conditions, and then abandoned them in large measure, five of the seven people with outstanding arrest warrants remain at large, including one individual with attempt murder, forcible confinement and assaulting police officer charges levied against him, among other things. The land you're trying to buy continues to be occupied, with no end in sight. What do you have to say to these people who have come here to ask for your help?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I was very pleased to have the opportunity earlier today to meet with representatives of Caledonia, as were my Ministers Ramsay and Cordiano, who had the opportunity to meet with representatives last evening. They have agreed to meet on a weekly basis with representatives to ensure that we are completely in the loop, and I think just as important, that they're in the loop as well with respect to our activities.
Progress has been slow, but it is undeniable. We have brought barricades down. We have reached an agreement with the local developer to purchase the disputed land. We have recently invested $1 million more in relief for local businesses, bringing the total to $1.7 million. The community liaison table is again meeting today, as well as the main table. I am also pleased that a second arrest was made earlier today, and I understand that the police are continuing to pursue the necessary --
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?
Mr. Tory: It really sums it all up, that just about a year after the letter you received warning you about this, more than 100 days after the occupation began and weeks after we started asking when ministers might sit down with these people and communicate with them on a regular basis, now -- more than 100 days later -- you're starting weekly meetings. Better late than never, but it sure would have been better if they had started a lot earlier than now.
Premier, I ask you this: How do you think the people of Caledonia feel when they read articles, like the one in today's Toronto Star, about the lack of law and order in Caledonia and the powerless OPP officers who have apparently been ordered to stand down in many of the instances we've seen? We have a quote in the Star from an OPP officer, who, for reasons we would all understand, remained anonymous, but who told the Star, "There were physical assaults taking place in front of you and you can't do anything about it. The OPP is a joke in terms of Caledonia." What do you have to say to people about this and about what the police officers have clearly --
The Speaker: The question has been asked.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It may be that the leader of the official opposition is somehow privy to insider information with respect to what directives have been issued by the higher-ups in the OPP to the police, but that's not information that we have. He keeps making constant references to a state of lawlessness. If there is advice or information that he has regarding policing activities at Caledonia, then we would greatly appreciate it if he would share that advice, those recommendations he has for the police, here with this Legislature.
Mr. Tory: I have been very pleased to share with the Premier advice with respect to the role he could play in asking all sides, all corners of this community, to come in and be told by him that lawlessness will not be tolerated and that negotiations will not continue in the event we see this continued lawlessness in this community. I was simply quoting an OPP officer, who, for obvious reasons, remained anonymous. And he talked not to me; he talked to the Toronto Star, so you should take that up with them if you think they manufactured that quote.
Your whole approach on this, whether it's the weekly meetings we hear about today or anything else, has been to wait as long as you can, do as little as you can, show weak leadership and hope the whole thing goes away. Even your compensation package to business is out of touch. You have offered business owners a small amount -- one of them claims to have lost, by himself, $100,000 since this began -- and yet you can come up with a sum in the millions you won't tell us about to buy the land.
When will the people of Caledonia, from all corners, expect to see you stand up and speak up for the rule of law applying to all people at all times --
Interjection.
The Speaker: The Minister of Health will come to order. Premier?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Apparently the leader of the official opposition has some particular advice or recommendations, which he is not prepared to share with us, for the police. I appreciate that my friend likes to quote unnamed sources, but here's somebody who is prepared to admit to who they are. He's president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, Karl Walsh. He is quoted recently in a Christina Blizzard column: "Walsh says he appreciated the government's hands-off approach to policing in Caledonia and says the opposition ... should stop playing politics with the standoff." That comes from the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
I would ask that the leader of the official opposition kindly take into regard the advice of the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, who says that he is playing politics with the standoff.
The Speaker: New question.
Mr. Tory: I have a new question for the Premier. I will tell him now that I will continue to stand up here, day after day, as long as we're here, and, when we're not here, I'll stand up elsewhere and put the questions to you --
Interjections.
The Speaker: I need to be able to hear the Leader of the Opposition ask the question. He's the only person who has the floor.
The Leader of the Opposition.
Mr. Tory: You would prefer that nobody asked you any questions about this whatsoever, including the one I'm going to ask you now about the cost of the land that you are buying in Caledonia.
Today, you've repeatedly refused to tell the taxpayers how much money you're going to pay for this land. Today, there seems to be some confusion as to whether the deal that you announced last Friday with such fanfare is a binding agreement with a price or something much less, which you exaggerated for political purposes. Is there, in fact, a binding agreement which has been concluded and executed, and if there is one, will you tell the taxpayers what the price is that was paid for the land? Stop hiding behind excuses and be straight with them about their own money.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: There is, in fact, a binding agreement to purchase the land, but the leader of the official opposition has a hard time accepting good news and signs of real progress.
We've got the Argyle Street barricades down. We've got the Highway 6 barricades down. We have, in fact, reached an agreement with the local developer to purchase the disputed lands. We have invested close to $2 million now in additional supports for the communities. We have put in place a community liaison table, which is meeting as we speak, and specifically, today, they're talking about developing guidelines for a relief program for residents in the houses that are directly affected by this situation. Last week, there was the arrest of one individual. Just today, there was an arrest of a second individual. The main table is also meeting today to find out how we can best address the longer-term issues.
The leader of the official opposition has difficulty accepting it, but there is some good news here.
Mr. Tory: What I have more trouble accepting is that there are five out of seven people who have arrest warrants sworn out for serious matters still at large. The land is still occupied. The barricades there are still up, and perhaps most important of all, the people who are here today, in many cases, because they told me and I'm sure they told you, they are afraid to be in their own homes in the province of Ontario. They're worried about what's going to happen when the schools are out this week and their kids are on summer holidays. So, yes, there may be some good news, but there are a lot of things left to be done in this whole thing.
We're told that one of your pieces of good news about the land transfer -- and I think we'll have to see about that when we actually have the details, if we ever get them -- may take six months to conclude, so that could mean six more months of disruption on the part of people in this community. The chaos would continue. On top of that, of course, you refuse to tell us the price. Can you tell us: What is the timetable for this land to change hands? Can you guarantee people from all corners of this community that this land deal you're in the middle of doing, without a price apparently, will be concluded --
The Speaker: The question has been asked.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We will continue to discuss this with the vendors of the land.
Let me tell you a little bit more about what informs our thinking and inspires our efforts in this regard. This development company, the principals of which are two brothers from the community of Caledonia, is caught up in a situation which is entirely not of their making. We feel a responsibility to help them in this regard to ensure that they do not suffer financial losses, because if we were to do nothing, they would suffer very significant financial losses. So we feel this sense of responsibility. We are sitting down with these developers and making sure that they do not suffer financial hardship as a result of circumstances which are entirely beyond their control.
1450
Mr. Tory: The Premier told the House earlier that there is a binding agreement in place. As he would know -- he's a lawyer -- a binding agreement will have in it a purchase price and a closing date. You've repeatedly refused, and I ask you one more time, to tell us what the purchase price is and to abandon these flimsy excuses you're using not to tell us how much taxpayers' money is involved. Tell us, then, what the closing date is as well. And while you're at it, perhaps you could tell us what the total cost of this fiasco is going to be, because there are estimates now circulating to the effect that the total cost will exceed $100 million, including the cost of the land, the cost of the policing, the cost of the compensation, and all the other costs. If that's not the right number, tell us what the right number is, tell us the price of the land, and tell us the closing date in the binding agreement you said you've signed.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The Leader of the Opposition is, if nothing else, colourful and inventive. I have no idea whatsoever, and I would speculate that neither does he, with respect to this $100-million figure he has just floated.
We will continue to work with the community. We will do everything we possibly can to resolve this in a manner that is peaceful. I think the leader of the official opposition has now made it perfectly clear that his preference would be that we had not entered into negotiations with the developers, that we had allowed them to flounder and suffer serious financial hardship. That's the approach he would bring. We bring a different approach on this side of the House. We feel a sense of responsibility to sit down with the community, to sit down with the developers in particular, and to ensure they do not suffer financial hardship.
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): To the Premier: Today we talked to busloads of Caledonia residents and they have questions for you. Premier, you can have a backyard barbeque. These people are frightened to go into their backyards. The barricades are still up. Five warrants are still outstanding. This morning, on the front lawn, we heard that children are eating their lunches under their desks. Things are worse now than they were February 28, not better.
Their questions: Is it now government policy to negotiate from a position of weakness, no matter how many laws are broken? Secondly, why did you start talks when your very own conditions have not been met?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.
Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I think as the member knows, my colleague Joe Cordiano and I met with representatives of the alliance last night. We certainly heard first-hand much of what you've also been telling us in the House here. We're very sympathetic to the disruption that has been caused to people's lives in Caledonia.
I want to inform the member that as we speak, Jane Stewart is in negotiations today and concentrating on the issue of disentanglement of people there. We understand the activities on the occupied site are causing disruption to people's lives there. We don't want to see any of that intimidation that's going on and we are determined to put an end to it. That's what Jane's job is this afternoon.
Mr. Barrett: Thank you, Minister. I continue my questions to the Premier. It may go back to you. I don't see the Premier now.
Two conditions were set for negotiations. Neither have been met. The barricades are still up. We're not seeing any co-operation in handing over the five suspects.
On Monday, your Acting Premier said, "The barricades are down." Yesterday, your Premier cited "progress in getting barricades down," an admission by your government that your Acting Premier was wrong. There's a reason for those signs outside this morning that say, "McGuinty sold Caledonia for 30 pieces of silver. How much is your town worth?"
Premier, your constant flip-flopping has put you in a position of weakness and it's clear you don't really mean what you say. If you can hear me, if you do strike a deal, how will all sides know that you'll keep your word?
Hon. Mr. Ramsay: The member likes to nitpick over wording and vocabulary.
Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): No.
Hon. Mr. Ramsay: Well, he does. First of all, we had an occupation, and he knows that. The land was occupied. So we've always considered the Douglas Creek property as an occupation. Then, when things went not the way we wanted and we saw some barricades set up -- the transportation corridors and the hydro corridor were barricaded -- we talked about the barricades for all those transportation corridors and they are down. Now we're dealing with the occupation.
You've got to know -- and you understand with the arrests today -- we're making progress. Last week you were talking about seven defenders at large. Well, now it's five. So we're making progress. You should be helping us and supporting us to make this progress. The police are doing their work. They are doing their job. There's co-operation between the professional force on the reserve and the OPP, and the job is getting done. We're doing the job now.
UPDATE!
As people in Toronto celebrated National Aboriginal Day, dozens of residents of Caledonia, marched in the city to press the government to end the protest by Six Nations.
- - - - - - -
A judge once again called for the officials to explain why his orders to end the protest have not been enforced by the police.
- - - - - - -
At Queens Park, after all the party spokesmen said nice things about Aboriginal Day, as Caledonia residents watched from the public gallery, there was renewed debate about the Six Nations dispute at Caledonia. . .
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. Today, the people of Caledonia -- and some are still here in the House with us this afternoon -- decided to pay you a visit, the mountain coming to McGuinty, as it were. The people here tell us that they've come to ask for your help. For months on end, they have lived in fear in their own communities and even in their own homes. The lawlessness that has taken place on and off now for more than 110 days has left them in a very dire state, and they feel there is no one looking out for their safety and that of their families. They quite frankly feel abandoned.
A week after you set conditions, and then abandoned them in large measure, five of the seven people with outstanding arrest warrants remain at large, including one individual with attempt murder, forcible confinement and assaulting police officer charges levied against him, among other things. The land you're trying to buy continues to be occupied, with no end in sight. What do you have to say to these people who have come here to ask for your help?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I was very pleased to have the opportunity earlier today to meet with representatives of Caledonia, as were my Ministers Ramsay and Cordiano, who had the opportunity to meet with representatives last evening. They have agreed to meet on a weekly basis with representatives to ensure that we are completely in the loop, and I think just as important, that they're in the loop as well with respect to our activities.
Progress has been slow, but it is undeniable. We have brought barricades down. We have reached an agreement with the local developer to purchase the disputed land. We have recently invested $1 million more in relief for local businesses, bringing the total to $1.7 million. The community liaison table is again meeting today, as well as the main table. I am also pleased that a second arrest was made earlier today, and I understand that the police are continuing to pursue the necessary --
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?
Mr. Tory: It really sums it all up, that just about a year after the letter you received warning you about this, more than 100 days after the occupation began and weeks after we started asking when ministers might sit down with these people and communicate with them on a regular basis, now -- more than 100 days later -- you're starting weekly meetings. Better late than never, but it sure would have been better if they had started a lot earlier than now.
Premier, I ask you this: How do you think the people of Caledonia feel when they read articles, like the one in today's Toronto Star, about the lack of law and order in Caledonia and the powerless OPP officers who have apparently been ordered to stand down in many of the instances we've seen? We have a quote in the Star from an OPP officer, who, for reasons we would all understand, remained anonymous, but who told the Star, "There were physical assaults taking place in front of you and you can't do anything about it. The OPP is a joke in terms of Caledonia." What do you have to say to people about this and about what the police officers have clearly --
The Speaker: The question has been asked.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It may be that the leader of the official opposition is somehow privy to insider information with respect to what directives have been issued by the higher-ups in the OPP to the police, but that's not information that we have. He keeps making constant references to a state of lawlessness. If there is advice or information that he has regarding policing activities at Caledonia, then we would greatly appreciate it if he would share that advice, those recommendations he has for the police, here with this Legislature.
Mr. Tory: I have been very pleased to share with the Premier advice with respect to the role he could play in asking all sides, all corners of this community, to come in and be told by him that lawlessness will not be tolerated and that negotiations will not continue in the event we see this continued lawlessness in this community. I was simply quoting an OPP officer, who, for obvious reasons, remained anonymous. And he talked not to me; he talked to the Toronto Star, so you should take that up with them if you think they manufactured that quote.
Your whole approach on this, whether it's the weekly meetings we hear about today or anything else, has been to wait as long as you can, do as little as you can, show weak leadership and hope the whole thing goes away. Even your compensation package to business is out of touch. You have offered business owners a small amount -- one of them claims to have lost, by himself, $100,000 since this began -- and yet you can come up with a sum in the millions you won't tell us about to buy the land.
When will the people of Caledonia, from all corners, expect to see you stand up and speak up for the rule of law applying to all people at all times --
Interjection.
The Speaker: The Minister of Health will come to order. Premier?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Apparently the leader of the official opposition has some particular advice or recommendations, which he is not prepared to share with us, for the police. I appreciate that my friend likes to quote unnamed sources, but here's somebody who is prepared to admit to who they are. He's president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, Karl Walsh. He is quoted recently in a Christina Blizzard column: "Walsh says he appreciated the government's hands-off approach to policing in Caledonia and says the opposition ... should stop playing politics with the standoff." That comes from the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
I would ask that the leader of the official opposition kindly take into regard the advice of the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, who says that he is playing politics with the standoff.
The Speaker: New question.
Mr. Tory: I have a new question for the Premier. I will tell him now that I will continue to stand up here, day after day, as long as we're here, and, when we're not here, I'll stand up elsewhere and put the questions to you --
Interjections.
The Speaker: I need to be able to hear the Leader of the Opposition ask the question. He's the only person who has the floor.
The Leader of the Opposition.
Mr. Tory: You would prefer that nobody asked you any questions about this whatsoever, including the one I'm going to ask you now about the cost of the land that you are buying in Caledonia.
Today, you've repeatedly refused to tell the taxpayers how much money you're going to pay for this land. Today, there seems to be some confusion as to whether the deal that you announced last Friday with such fanfare is a binding agreement with a price or something much less, which you exaggerated for political purposes. Is there, in fact, a binding agreement which has been concluded and executed, and if there is one, will you tell the taxpayers what the price is that was paid for the land? Stop hiding behind excuses and be straight with them about their own money.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: There is, in fact, a binding agreement to purchase the land, but the leader of the official opposition has a hard time accepting good news and signs of real progress.
We've got the Argyle Street barricades down. We've got the Highway 6 barricades down. We have, in fact, reached an agreement with the local developer to purchase the disputed lands. We have invested close to $2 million now in additional supports for the communities. We have put in place a community liaison table, which is meeting as we speak, and specifically, today, they're talking about developing guidelines for a relief program for residents in the houses that are directly affected by this situation. Last week, there was the arrest of one individual. Just today, there was an arrest of a second individual. The main table is also meeting today to find out how we can best address the longer-term issues.
The leader of the official opposition has difficulty accepting it, but there is some good news here.
Mr. Tory: What I have more trouble accepting is that there are five out of seven people who have arrest warrants sworn out for serious matters still at large. The land is still occupied. The barricades there are still up, and perhaps most important of all, the people who are here today, in many cases, because they told me and I'm sure they told you, they are afraid to be in their own homes in the province of Ontario. They're worried about what's going to happen when the schools are out this week and their kids are on summer holidays. So, yes, there may be some good news, but there are a lot of things left to be done in this whole thing.
We're told that one of your pieces of good news about the land transfer -- and I think we'll have to see about that when we actually have the details, if we ever get them -- may take six months to conclude, so that could mean six more months of disruption on the part of people in this community. The chaos would continue. On top of that, of course, you refuse to tell us the price. Can you tell us: What is the timetable for this land to change hands? Can you guarantee people from all corners of this community that this land deal you're in the middle of doing, without a price apparently, will be concluded --
The Speaker: The question has been asked.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We will continue to discuss this with the vendors of the land.
Let me tell you a little bit more about what informs our thinking and inspires our efforts in this regard. This development company, the principals of which are two brothers from the community of Caledonia, is caught up in a situation which is entirely not of their making. We feel a responsibility to help them in this regard to ensure that they do not suffer financial losses, because if we were to do nothing, they would suffer very significant financial losses. So we feel this sense of responsibility. We are sitting down with these developers and making sure that they do not suffer financial hardship as a result of circumstances which are entirely beyond their control.
1450
Mr. Tory: The Premier told the House earlier that there is a binding agreement in place. As he would know -- he's a lawyer -- a binding agreement will have in it a purchase price and a closing date. You've repeatedly refused, and I ask you one more time, to tell us what the purchase price is and to abandon these flimsy excuses you're using not to tell us how much taxpayers' money is involved. Tell us, then, what the closing date is as well. And while you're at it, perhaps you could tell us what the total cost of this fiasco is going to be, because there are estimates now circulating to the effect that the total cost will exceed $100 million, including the cost of the land, the cost of the policing, the cost of the compensation, and all the other costs. If that's not the right number, tell us what the right number is, tell us the price of the land, and tell us the closing date in the binding agreement you said you've signed.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The Leader of the Opposition is, if nothing else, colourful and inventive. I have no idea whatsoever, and I would speculate that neither does he, with respect to this $100-million figure he has just floated.
We will continue to work with the community. We will do everything we possibly can to resolve this in a manner that is peaceful. I think the leader of the official opposition has now made it perfectly clear that his preference would be that we had not entered into negotiations with the developers, that we had allowed them to flounder and suffer serious financial hardship. That's the approach he would bring. We bring a different approach on this side of the House. We feel a sense of responsibility to sit down with the community, to sit down with the developers in particular, and to ensure they do not suffer financial hardship.
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): To the Premier: Today we talked to busloads of Caledonia residents and they have questions for you. Premier, you can have a backyard barbeque. These people are frightened to go into their backyards. The barricades are still up. Five warrants are still outstanding. This morning, on the front lawn, we heard that children are eating their lunches under their desks. Things are worse now than they were February 28, not better.
Their questions: Is it now government policy to negotiate from a position of weakness, no matter how many laws are broken? Secondly, why did you start talks when your very own conditions have not been met?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.
Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I think as the member knows, my colleague Joe Cordiano and I met with representatives of the alliance last night. We certainly heard first-hand much of what you've also been telling us in the House here. We're very sympathetic to the disruption that has been caused to people's lives in Caledonia.
I want to inform the member that as we speak, Jane Stewart is in negotiations today and concentrating on the issue of disentanglement of people there. We understand the activities on the occupied site are causing disruption to people's lives there. We don't want to see any of that intimidation that's going on and we are determined to put an end to it. That's what Jane's job is this afternoon.
Mr. Barrett: Thank you, Minister. I continue my questions to the Premier. It may go back to you. I don't see the Premier now.
Two conditions were set for negotiations. Neither have been met. The barricades are still up. We're not seeing any co-operation in handing over the five suspects.
On Monday, your Acting Premier said, "The barricades are down." Yesterday, your Premier cited "progress in getting barricades down," an admission by your government that your Acting Premier was wrong. There's a reason for those signs outside this morning that say, "McGuinty sold Caledonia for 30 pieces of silver. How much is your town worth?"
Premier, your constant flip-flopping has put you in a position of weakness and it's clear you don't really mean what you say. If you can hear me, if you do strike a deal, how will all sides know that you'll keep your word?
Hon. Mr. Ramsay: The member likes to nitpick over wording and vocabulary.
Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): No.
Hon. Mr. Ramsay: Well, he does. First of all, we had an occupation, and he knows that. The land was occupied. So we've always considered the Douglas Creek property as an occupation. Then, when things went not the way we wanted and we saw some barricades set up -- the transportation corridors and the hydro corridor were barricaded -- we talked about the barricades for all those transportation corridors and they are down. Now we're dealing with the occupation.
You've got to know -- and you understand with the arrests today -- we're making progress. Last week you were talking about seven defenders at large. Well, now it's five. So we're making progress. You should be helping us and supporting us to make this progress. The police are doing their work. They are doing their job. There's co-operation between the professional force on the reserve and the OPP, and the job is getting done. We're doing the job now.
- Pressure to End Protest
Ontario buys disputed Caledonia land for $12Million
by $12.3M for disputed land » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:13 pm
Ontario Premier reveals the cost of purchasing the disputed Six Nations land at Caledonia . . .
June 22, 2006
Ontario Legislature
ORAL QUESTIONS
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier. Premier, we asked you day after day to come forward with the cost of your land purchase deal in Caledonia -- or the lack thereof -- and day after day you gave us the same answer. You stood up and you told the entire Legislature that the single reason for not being transparent and accountable when it came to millions of dollars of taxpayers' money being spent in Caledonia was that the landowners, the people selling the land, had requested that it remain completely secret.
Premier, can you please explain to us why the lawyer managing negotiations for the landowner, for the seller, is now saying that this is not and never has been the case? Perhaps you can explain yourself to this House.
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm delighted to have the opportunity to shed a bit more light on what has been happening in this regard. In April, we hired a special adviser, Rob Chadwick, to begin negotiations for the purchase of Douglas Creek Estates. The reason we did that was to ensure that the two local brothers who have sunk virtually their whole life savings into this land do not face financial ruin because of circumstances over which they had no control.
Throughout this entire process we have respected the confidentiality of the discussions. Last week we were able to reach an agreement to purchase the land so that it is removed from the debate and placed in trust.
Today our special adviser, Rob Chadwick, was able to receive the consent of the local developers to release information about the agreement. In the context of supplementary, I'll provide that information.
Mr. Tory: The fact of the matter is, when you were here the other day you told us without qualification that it was the seller that you've talked about today -- and we all sympathize with the plight they're in, which, by the way, has been made worse and dragged out much longer because of your inaction and weak leadership.
Having said that, the owners of this land -- their lawyers have indicated publicly in the newspaper today that they have not, prior to now, asked that that information remain confidential. You're the one who said it should remain confidential.
When is this documentation going to be made available to the people of Ontario, to us and to the media? Why did you stand up in your place when it's the lawyer for the developers who said it was not their wish to have this kept confidential before today?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, to repeat, our adviser today obtained the consent of the developers to release information about the agreement. The Ontario government, on behalf of the people of Ontario, has agreed to purchase Douglas Creek Estates for the amount of $12.3 million; plus, there will be an additional amount which remains the subject of ongoing negotiations.
Again, the reason we are doing this and proceeding with the purchase of this land is because we feel it is only fair and proper that we help out a couple of local brothers who assumed responsibility to develop these lands and, through no fault of their own, were caught up in circumstances. We feel a sense of responsibility to help them out.
Mr. Tory: You certainly should feel a very big sense of responsibility for that and a lot of other things. It's just unfortunate you didn't accept the responsibility a lot earlier than is the case here.
I've reminded you and your government on a daily basis that it is not your money; it belongs to the taxpayers. The government has to be -- as you would have argued in opposition, as you even would argue in government -- open, transparent and accountable when it comes to spending millions of taxpayers' dollars, not just on the purchase of land but all of the other costs associated with this fiasco that has taken place on your watch.
I have written to the Auditor General today -- I'd ask the pages if they could bring a copy of this letter over to you -- and I've requested that he immediately review all government expenditures that have to do with this entire fiasco, including the land deal.
I would ask you, will you be fully co-operative with the Auditor General and take the initiative to work with him, starting right now, to turn over all information about all expenditures on this Caledonia matter so he can have an independent look at exactly what has gone on here with the taxpayers' money? Will you do that?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We would be more than pleased to co-operate with the Auditor General in any way.
Interjection: And any time.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: And any time. But let me say that obviously I can't agree with the leader of the official opposition's ongoing characterization of developments in Caledonia. He's just not prepared to accept that we are in fact making progress, whether it's a matter of getting the barricades down or providing financial support to the community, whether it's to the municipality itself or to business persons. He doesn't like the fact that we've set up a community liaison table. He doesn't like the fact that we've set up ongoing meetings to work with the community. He doesn't like the fact that we've set up a central table, working with the federal government, so that we can bring to heel these issues, which have over 200 years of history connected with them. He doesn't like all of those things. Apparently he has some special plan of his own that he's not prepared to share with us, but it would be interesting to get that at some point, to know exactly what he would have us do at this point in time.
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.
Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): A question to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Today is day 115 in the crisis in Caledonia. Dalton McGuinty's weak and indecisive leadership has led to a major crisis of public confidence in our front-line Ontario Provincial Police officers. Yesterday's Toronto Star said, "There were physical assaults taking place in front of you and you can't do anything about it. The OPP is a joke in terms of Caledonia. It has tarnished our name." That's from a front-line OPP officer.
Yesterday, Premier McGuinty simply dismissed this seemingly as a fabrication. Surely, Minister, the one responsible for the Ontario Provincial Police is going to stand up in the House today and tell us you're going to look into this matter of who is giving direction to the Ontario Provincial Police and move forward with the inquiry. Stand up for our Ontario Provincial Police officers.
Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): For the last few weeks, I've been listening to the opposition talk about Caledonia. The only thing they have to bring to the table is the fact that someone in their organization can read the newspapers, because, I'll tell you, all of the information you get is in the newspapers and most of it is not totally correct.
But I do want to quote from one particular newspaper that you might find interesting, and that is Karl Walsh, president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association: "All the same, Walsh says he appreciated the government's hands-off approach to policing in Caledonia and says the opposition ... should stop playing politics with the standoff."
So here we have a situation, and the question the member asks is, "Who is directing the OPP?" The answer is, nobody is directing them. The OPP are independent. They make their decisions and they act --
The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Supplementary?
Mr. Hudak: I wonder what the minister's been doing. He accuses us of playing politics. I don't know if you're playing golf, cribbage or shuffleboard, but what you're not doing, Minister, is standing up for Ontario Provincial Police and front-line officers in the Caledonia area or across the province of Ontario.
1430
Let me remind you what's happening under your watch. As minister, you have condoned something called a no-go zone for Ontario Provincial Police. You didn't say a word when Ontario Provincial Police officers were taken out of their car, their windows smashed -- they were arrested and humiliated. And now we're seeing votes of confidence against the OPP commissioner and mockery of the OPP front-line officers because of Dalton McGuinty's weak leadership.
Minister, if you're not going to stand up for OPP officers, maybe you should consider stepping down and letting somebody else stand up for the OPP, because you certainly are not.
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I find it interesting that the member would make those statements. I challenge him to bring forward one senior officer in the OPP, the commissioner of the OPP or anyone else who will stand up and go on the record and be critical of the way we have dealt with this situation as far as the OPP are concerned. I challenge you to do that. Come up with one name. Don't refer to unsubstantiated reports. Give me a name.
Mr. Hudak: Talk about gutless leadership. You wonder what this minister -- why aren't you talking to the front-line OPP officers? If I were the minister and I saw that article in the Star yesterday, I'd be on the move and I'd be looking into it right away.
Minister, with all due respect, you're a veteran of the Ontario Legislature, and your voice should carry weight at the cabinet table. You should be standing up and getting onside with Ontario's front-line provincial police officers. You're more interested in bowing down before the leader than doing your job as minister.
Minister, I have no choice. I have no choice because of your lack of leadership and your lack of support for Ontario Provincial Police officers: Minster, it's time for you to step down and let someone else fight for our Ontario provincial police officers.
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I don't want to give the member a history lesson, but the history of this institution is loaded with Solicitors General who spoke to police about a matter and had to resign. You should know that. You should know that that has happened. To suggest that I should be directing the OPP, that I should be talking to OPP officers about this issue, is totally, totally irresponsible on your part and indicates that you have no idea what you're talking about.
June 22, 2006
Ontario Legislature
ORAL QUESTIONS
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier. Premier, we asked you day after day to come forward with the cost of your land purchase deal in Caledonia -- or the lack thereof -- and day after day you gave us the same answer. You stood up and you told the entire Legislature that the single reason for not being transparent and accountable when it came to millions of dollars of taxpayers' money being spent in Caledonia was that the landowners, the people selling the land, had requested that it remain completely secret.
Premier, can you please explain to us why the lawyer managing negotiations for the landowner, for the seller, is now saying that this is not and never has been the case? Perhaps you can explain yourself to this House.
Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm delighted to have the opportunity to shed a bit more light on what has been happening in this regard. In April, we hired a special adviser, Rob Chadwick, to begin negotiations for the purchase of Douglas Creek Estates. The reason we did that was to ensure that the two local brothers who have sunk virtually their whole life savings into this land do not face financial ruin because of circumstances over which they had no control.
Throughout this entire process we have respected the confidentiality of the discussions. Last week we were able to reach an agreement to purchase the land so that it is removed from the debate and placed in trust.
Today our special adviser, Rob Chadwick, was able to receive the consent of the local developers to release information about the agreement. In the context of supplementary, I'll provide that information.
Mr. Tory: The fact of the matter is, when you were here the other day you told us without qualification that it was the seller that you've talked about today -- and we all sympathize with the plight they're in, which, by the way, has been made worse and dragged out much longer because of your inaction and weak leadership.
Having said that, the owners of this land -- their lawyers have indicated publicly in the newspaper today that they have not, prior to now, asked that that information remain confidential. You're the one who said it should remain confidential.
When is this documentation going to be made available to the people of Ontario, to us and to the media? Why did you stand up in your place when it's the lawyer for the developers who said it was not their wish to have this kept confidential before today?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, to repeat, our adviser today obtained the consent of the developers to release information about the agreement. The Ontario government, on behalf of the people of Ontario, has agreed to purchase Douglas Creek Estates for the amount of $12.3 million; plus, there will be an additional amount which remains the subject of ongoing negotiations.
Again, the reason we are doing this and proceeding with the purchase of this land is because we feel it is only fair and proper that we help out a couple of local brothers who assumed responsibility to develop these lands and, through no fault of their own, were caught up in circumstances. We feel a sense of responsibility to help them out.
Mr. Tory: You certainly should feel a very big sense of responsibility for that and a lot of other things. It's just unfortunate you didn't accept the responsibility a lot earlier than is the case here.
I've reminded you and your government on a daily basis that it is not your money; it belongs to the taxpayers. The government has to be -- as you would have argued in opposition, as you even would argue in government -- open, transparent and accountable when it comes to spending millions of taxpayers' dollars, not just on the purchase of land but all of the other costs associated with this fiasco that has taken place on your watch.
I have written to the Auditor General today -- I'd ask the pages if they could bring a copy of this letter over to you -- and I've requested that he immediately review all government expenditures that have to do with this entire fiasco, including the land deal.
I would ask you, will you be fully co-operative with the Auditor General and take the initiative to work with him, starting right now, to turn over all information about all expenditures on this Caledonia matter so he can have an independent look at exactly what has gone on here with the taxpayers' money? Will you do that?
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We would be more than pleased to co-operate with the Auditor General in any way.
Interjection: And any time.
Hon. Mr. McGuinty: And any time. But let me say that obviously I can't agree with the leader of the official opposition's ongoing characterization of developments in Caledonia. He's just not prepared to accept that we are in fact making progress, whether it's a matter of getting the barricades down or providing financial support to the community, whether it's to the municipality itself or to business persons. He doesn't like the fact that we've set up a community liaison table. He doesn't like the fact that we've set up ongoing meetings to work with the community. He doesn't like the fact that we've set up a central table, working with the federal government, so that we can bring to heel these issues, which have over 200 years of history connected with them. He doesn't like all of those things. Apparently he has some special plan of his own that he's not prepared to share with us, but it would be interesting to get that at some point, to know exactly what he would have us do at this point in time.
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.
Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): A question to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Today is day 115 in the crisis in Caledonia. Dalton McGuinty's weak and indecisive leadership has led to a major crisis of public confidence in our front-line Ontario Provincial Police officers. Yesterday's Toronto Star said, "There were physical assaults taking place in front of you and you can't do anything about it. The OPP is a joke in terms of Caledonia. It has tarnished our name." That's from a front-line OPP officer.
Yesterday, Premier McGuinty simply dismissed this seemingly as a fabrication. Surely, Minister, the one responsible for the Ontario Provincial Police is going to stand up in the House today and tell us you're going to look into this matter of who is giving direction to the Ontario Provincial Police and move forward with the inquiry. Stand up for our Ontario Provincial Police officers.
Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): For the last few weeks, I've been listening to the opposition talk about Caledonia. The only thing they have to bring to the table is the fact that someone in their organization can read the newspapers, because, I'll tell you, all of the information you get is in the newspapers and most of it is not totally correct.
But I do want to quote from one particular newspaper that you might find interesting, and that is Karl Walsh, president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association: "All the same, Walsh says he appreciated the government's hands-off approach to policing in Caledonia and says the opposition ... should stop playing politics with the standoff."
So here we have a situation, and the question the member asks is, "Who is directing the OPP?" The answer is, nobody is directing them. The OPP are independent. They make their decisions and they act --
The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Supplementary?
Mr. Hudak: I wonder what the minister's been doing. He accuses us of playing politics. I don't know if you're playing golf, cribbage or shuffleboard, but what you're not doing, Minister, is standing up for Ontario Provincial Police and front-line officers in the Caledonia area or across the province of Ontario.
1430
Let me remind you what's happening under your watch. As minister, you have condoned something called a no-go zone for Ontario Provincial Police. You didn't say a word when Ontario Provincial Police officers were taken out of their car, their windows smashed -- they were arrested and humiliated. And now we're seeing votes of confidence against the OPP commissioner and mockery of the OPP front-line officers because of Dalton McGuinty's weak leadership.
Minister, if you're not going to stand up for OPP officers, maybe you should consider stepping down and letting somebody else stand up for the OPP, because you certainly are not.
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I find it interesting that the member would make those statements. I challenge him to bring forward one senior officer in the OPP, the commissioner of the OPP or anyone else who will stand up and go on the record and be critical of the way we have dealt with this situation as far as the OPP are concerned. I challenge you to do that. Come up with one name. Don't refer to unsubstantiated reports. Give me a name.
Mr. Hudak: Talk about gutless leadership. You wonder what this minister -- why aren't you talking to the front-line OPP officers? If I were the minister and I saw that article in the Star yesterday, I'd be on the move and I'd be looking into it right away.
Minister, with all due respect, you're a veteran of the Ontario Legislature, and your voice should carry weight at the cabinet table. You should be standing up and getting onside with Ontario's front-line provincial police officers. You're more interested in bowing down before the leader than doing your job as minister.
Minister, I have no choice. I have no choice because of your lack of leadership and your lack of support for Ontario Provincial Police officers: Minster, it's time for you to step down and let someone else fight for our Ontario provincial police officers.
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I don't want to give the member a history lesson, but the history of this institution is loaded with Solicitors General who spoke to police about a matter and had to resign. You should know that. You should know that that has happened. To suggest that I should be directing the OPP, that I should be talking to OPP officers about this issue, is totally, totally irresponsible on your part and indicates that you have no idea what you're talking about.
- $12.3M for disputed land
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