For the above reason I have avoided (or postponed) writing anything about the latest iteration on the same theme. It is as boring to me as it must be to readers. However, it does provide a sense, to those who do not have the pleasure of living in Caledonia, of the unique (at least in Ontario) struggles that citizens are forced to endure. Maybe at some level I still have a tiny ray of hope that someone "in authority" will take pity on us and do something to bring the entire land dispute "crisis" to a successful resolution. I honestly believe at this point that humans will be settled on Mars before anything is done about Caledonia's situation.
An e-mail from a friend convinced me to speak out yet again - even if it is whistling into the wind and no one is listening anyway. My friend showed me a communication from his friends who reside extremely close to where the current protest is happening - i.e., near Douglas Creek Estates - people who are afraid once again for their lives and their livelihood. Since 2006 they have been much more directly impacted by the protests than virtually anyone else. So once again into the breach .......
Some Background: During the COVID-19 crisis of late something very positive has emerged on the Reserve - the Elected Chiefs and the Hereditary Chiefs have been speaking with each other with the goal being to protect the elders. Alas, this largely unprescedented act does not seem to have led to a rapprochement between the two warring factions. Splinters began when a group of protesters, supporters of the Hereditary Chiefs, took it upon themselves to protest the Losani housing development. The rather idyllic project is detailed here. The Elected Council of the Six Nations approved of and supported this development (for a "consideration" of course), however the Hereditary Council did not give its approval - the standard, typical set up leading to an inevitable work stoppage at the construction site.
Please recall that the land in question was surrendered by the Chiefs in full Council on 18 December 1844 - the media makes it seem that Foxgate and Losani (the developers) purchased "aboriginal land". That is absolutely false. "Historically" (prior to 1844) it was Native land, but it is only since the land "reclamation" of 2006 that, in order to avoid work stoppages, that developers have been giving int to what amounts to extortion. In other words, give us $350,000 (or some such figure) and we will go away and the work can proceed. No money, then expect protests and work stoppages. So developers have learned that this is simply the cost of doing business anywhere near Caledonia - even though entirely illegal and immoral (the land was sold 170 years ago, demanding it back is out and out wrong). I have tried, even hoisting a sign as to the surrender in 1844, but the media are still under the impression that this was until recently aboriginal land and that the developer negotiated with the Elected Council at Six Nations - they being the legal owners of the land. Again we return to the theme of this blog, facts versus beliefs.
An excellent overview of this particular protest complete with the oh so standard flags on an excavator visual image can be found in an article in the Brantford Expositor here.
Brantford Expositor
Eventually the Company succeeded in obtaining a Court Order, and when the protesters refused to comply, a half dozen or so were arrested. In order to "punish" "the authorities" for such an egregious and outlandish action, others mobilized, called in "reinforcements" and - here we go again.
The Author's Observations: I was there (on Wednesday, 5 August 2020) when these worthies began their usual message of signaling their displeasure - although in fact this time I was more than a little disgusted with the methods. Having been a victim of the Hagersville Tire Fire, known world round, in the 1990s, I was more than a little "twitchy" to see flammable fluid containers, wooden palates, and tires at the ready. I recalled full well that it was a group of (find your own adjective) young "land protector" males from the Reserve that started one of the most notorious environmental disasters in Canadian history. The hypocrisy of those on the Reserve who continue to assert that they have a special relationship with the land never ceases to "amuse" those who know the truth.
So now I will refer to the e-mail I sent today, Thursday 6 August 2020, to my friend R.M. where I describe what transpired during the "action phase".
Yes I know the property of which you are speaking. Someone said that K. H. (the very wealthy tobacco "entrepreneur" who is buying up as much land as he can in and around Caledonia) planned to establish a store there along a road that would be built from the Losani development to Argyle Street.
I was there last night with my large sign stating that the land was surrendered in 1844 etc. I got to talk with a lot of residents, and police officers. The incident was apparently "provoked" by the OPP enforcing a Court Order and arresting a half a dozen protesters. One of the residents showed me a social media item where one of these worthies was in the back seat of a cruiser and saying how this (the burning tires on Argyle Street) all could have been prevented because it was a peaceful protest. Clearly this individual did not understand what a Court Order meant - so few times have they been enforced.
The police were not letting people beyond the Canadian Tire parking lot - it was barricaded with their vehicles and cones. People could walk though, and some did, including two women (one Native and one Black) schlepping a wagon full of water bottles for the protesters congregated at the Douglas Creek gate and shed. An old White guy and younger White woman marched down 6 or more pizzas - I yelled "enabler" to both groups, and "thanks for supporting Caledonia". There were a number of residents living nearby who were not allowed to get to their properties - although residents of the two residences closest to the Canadian Tire were permitted to drive their vehicles to their homes.
Apparently the Caledonia Bypass was also blockaded (don't know if any fires) - but this was after some fine citizens decided it would be a good idea to drop truck tires off the 6th Line Bridge on to Highway 6. [Turtle Island News shows a picture of wood strips and tires on fire on Highway 6 below the 6th Line overpass, as well as persons pushing that tire over the bridge - see here].
Since the train did not make its usual 12:30 am run and 3 am return last night - I suspect that the railway was seen as a potential target and so no traffic.
Caledonia residents began to congregate in larger numbers after 6 pm - I stayed until 8. I have great respect for the OPP in this situation. They did make the necessary arrests and were handling the aftermath well - as everyone watched two bands of fire across Argyle Street being stoked with wooden palates and car tires - black smoke filling the air thanks to these "land protectors".
Hamilton Spectator
The Hamilton Spectator has an excellent article on the situation as they saw it, see here. One might ask whether the chaps in the above photo were Native or Antifa - very definitely young. Back to the e-mail to my friend. What is clear is that the leader / spokesperson for the group, S.W., is a thug who roughed up CHCH TV reporters in 2006 and stole one of their cameras. As a consequence he spent a few months in the Barton Street Jail - as he would soon find out, there would be no kid gloves treatment there. Hopefully he will get to revisit this establishment and be welcomed in the way he was last time.
Toby Barrett, our local MPP was there and he told me that he had a one hour conversation with Premier Doug Ford about the matter, and apparently the latter listened with interest and understanding.
In the distance we could see car after car arrive and park along the road south of the entrance to Douglas Creek Estates (the term estates being now a misnomer since after trashing every last home in the process of being built, these fine folks built a shack at the entrance which still stands today). Could see an ATV circling about the road where the other vehicles were - definitely not street legal. Also a Jeep arrived with Mohawk Warrior flag flying, and some guy hanging out the door. Later the same vehicle dropped off large bundles, one after the other, along the roadside near the entrance. No idea as to contents. Some in the crowd said that they saw quite a few vehicles with New York plates, so perhaps arrived from places such as Akwesasne, New York despite the covid19 restrictions on Americans coming into this Country. Apparently this does not apply to Natives (Jay Treaty of 1794?).
Since the Elected Band Council had approved the Losani development, they are none too happy with these protesters who clearly are affiliated with the Hereditary Council - or at least the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (the extortion specialist branch of the Hereditary Council).
At about 7 pm a large black RAM pickup arrived and headed toward a group of protesters who were walking toward the Caledonia barricades. He spoke at length with them and eventually they dispersed. As we reached 8 pm the vehicles began to disperse in the direction from which they came (to the south). I have no idea what sort of police barricade was at that end, but the officers told me that people were allowed to drive to the Douglas Creek Estates entrance but that they would not be allowed out - they had to stay there. A few White folk in cars were allowed through the barricades where we were - not sure what the story was there.
There were reporters from The Haldimand Press, CHCH Hamilton, CTV Kitchener and perhaps others. I spoke at length on camera with some, including CTV Kitchener but my outlining the facts and the complex factionalism situation as well as the truth that the Six Nations were not "aboriginal" to this area - only the Mohawk Valley and Finger Lakes, NY - this was not going to buy me any screen time (which is fine by me). I explained about the true genocide perpetrated by the then 5 Nations against the Huron / Wendat, Petun, Attiwandaronk and others where all were murdered, and in a very cruel way. I explained that the 5 Nations tried to claim the land "by conquest" (having built 8 village on the north shore of Lake Ontario) - but that the Mississauga and 5 Fires Confederacy chased them out leaving the Mississauga the legal owners of the land. It will never see the light of day on TV - I understand how these things work and my "academic analysis" is not going to play well so will be cut.
As dark began to descend and I realized that I needed to find bathroom facilities, and also to have something to eat, my decision was to depart, giving genuine best wishes to the OPP officers present - most of whom I had spoken with over the course of the evening.
Today [6 August 2020], the police were still barricading the same place, but when I checked after noon, in the distance all one could see were the two black smears along the road, and cones set up along the face of the one furthest south. The officers seemed less aware as to what was going on than those last night - I guess because not much was in fact happening at least within view.
End of e-mail to R.M.
I just returned from the OPP baricade - at 8 pm after picking up my pizza supper. In the distance could be seen just one vehicle and the south black "smear" billowing white smoke (which is I guess better than black smoke). The officers were just sitting in their cars. So, is it all over but the clean up? I know much better from bitter experience to bet any money on that being the case. Will keep my eyes open and ears to the ground and if any updates are warranted, they will appear here.
Update: "Th're back"! The "arrests" were something of a joke. These people, despite a release requirement dictating that they stay away from the Losani site, simply returned to their old posts on private property - a re-occupation. Just a lot more nastiness and immaturity (see the picture above and you will understand). At least the "old protesters" did not throw rocks at police and jump on their vehicles. Apparently, as in the bad old days, they have "supporters" with them. So White people, do you know where your children are tonight? Anyway, rather than me reciting second hand info, please read the Brantford Expositor article here; and an even more detailed rendition from Global News here.
So it would seem that our little local dispute here has been drawn into the wider protest by so-called "racialized" people, and those Whites who are "woke", this in the aftermath to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota - and the "summer of discontent" in the States which spread to Canada. No matter how one sizes this up, we in Caledonia are once again used as pawns in the games of others who do not give the least concern as to how their actions impact the lives of those around them. We do not count in their scheme of things. If they think of it at all, we are seen as merely collateral damage to the effort to right the supposed wrongs of Colonialism and "cultural genocide".
CTV Kitchener seems to be very proactive in keeping on top of this developing story, as seen in the clip abstracted from the News today 7 August 2020 and seen here. Toward the end of the following video of the 6 pm News, seen here, they indicated that the OPP are requesting another Court Injunction, but this one would be far ranging, stipulating that for example the protesters are not to place any barricade on any road or rail in Haldimand. I am not sure if it will go as far as requiring the perpetrators clean up all the the destruction they have created to date - including the tire fire debris. Very very encouraging, especially with a Premier willing to go on record today saying that he unequivocally supports the developer and Caledonia residents! One law for all Canadians - no exceptions!
Clearly the officials this time are way beyond frustrated with the present circumstances. Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt pulls no punches in the Brantford Expositor article here. As a sort of an aside, it was confirmed in this article that the protesters have in fact blocked the railway - hence explaining why, for two days, I have not been awakened by their night runs.
8 August 2020: Saturday, 3:30 pm. Just returned from getting a Timmys and checking out the barricade situation. Not good news. They have placed an old beat up trailer on its side near the right (western) fence, set up concrete K rails across the width of the road, have tipped over a few junkers along the tire fire smear, and have stacked up tires and wooden palates - ready for action it would seem.
The OPP indicated that they have not got word at this time about any movements on their part - so it is a wait and see I guess. Likely it will depend on when the Sheriff gives the ok to administer the Court Order, and a strategic plan is developed (or more likely put in place). My guess is to wait a few days - many tactical advantages - before blitzing the protest sites, but we shall see. Hope to see a long string of Paddy Wagons - now known as "Offender Transport Vehicles".
Saturday 7:30 pm, the author drove by the McKenzie Road Losani development site and noted 3 clusters of about 10 cars each. Clearly something is "brewing".
9 August 2020: Sunday, 2 pm finds the barricade on Argyle Street unchanged. However three OPP cars came from the barricade to Timmys to "speak with" some Hells Angels who just arrived. This could get interesting. The Losani site on McKenzie Road is quiet - with only about 10 vehicles there today - but a cluster of media vans across the road waiting in a pull out.
The specific details of the new Court Order issued last Friday, as outlined in CBC News, can be found here. Basically remove barricades set up on Haldimand Roads (and rail lines presumably), clean up the debris, and the Order specifies that no further blockades are to be placed anywhere within Haldimand County. Furthermore, all tents and other debris must be removed from the Losani site - along with the perpetrators / agitators / protesters dispersing. The timing is up to the Court Sheriff. There is no possible way that this Order can be ignored - perhaps the protesters will need to find out the hard way.
Assessment: I want to make it perfectly clear that I am on the same page as the protesters in at least one respect. I too am concerned about the "out of control" development occurring in Caledonia. The 3,500 unit Empire Avalon project along McClung Road on the north side of Caledonia will double the current size of the town - making us into nothing more than a suburb of Hamilton. The scattered sub divisions on the south side have made just getting around town a chore. The infrastructure (Argyle Street and the bridge) are simply not up to accommodating the numbers of people being added each year. It can be infuriating just trying to get from a side street on to Argyle at almost any time of the day or week. Fortunately the locals are by in large very polite and understanding and will stop to allow other residents to access Argyle - but it shouldn't be this way. Therefore people in the south end of Caledonia and people on the Reserve are both feeling "pinched" by all this new development. That being said, there are other considerations that take precedence and must be respected.
In the opinion of the author here, the present matter under consideration boils down to some stunningly simple aspects - facts and laws. There are facts (e.g., the land was surrendered to the Crown in 1844) which are being ignored; and there are laws (e.g., re trespassing and failure to abide by a Court Order) that are supposed to apply to all Canadians equally without regard to race, creed, religion etc. - that are being flagrantly flaunted.
The trend in 2020 is that the "cause", whether it be "we demand our land be returned" or "defund the police", is more noble than the law that for generations has kept us from degenerating into chaos and anarchy (the very things that Antifa wants to occur before a "new world order" is established). Black Lives Matter, Idle No More, and the "cancel culture" activists now dictate to us what is the correct way to view, for example, Sir John A. MacDonald the Canadian Founding Father of Confederation in 1867.
The solution to our present situation in Caledonia is deceptively simple. No more endless negotiations. That has been tried, and that has failed. It is time for the strict application of the law. Those who have defied their release mandate (not to return to the Losani site) must be arrested again but, since they have proved that they cannot be trusted, this time held in jail pending trial. Hopefully at trial the ring leaders will receive an appropriate jail sentence (minimum 6 months), as well as a fine (minimum of $10,000) that will act as a deterrent to a repetition of these crimes against the people of Haldimand County.
At the political level, in McGuinty and Wynne we had Liberal Party Premiers who simply ignored Caledonia, and left us to fend for ourselves; or whose ministers made incredibly wrong headed decisions such as purchasing the disputed land (Douglas Creek Estates) and giving it to the HDI (extortion branch of the Hereditary Council). That has backfired magnificently and has ensured that the south end of Caledonia will be constantly in turmoil. With Doug Ford as Conservative Party Premier, we shall see. There is room for optimism.
D.Y.
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