Factional Dispute Between the Six Nations Confederacy and Elected Council Plagues Attempts to Address Problems at DCE Barricade - A Dangerous Twist

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Please see CHCH TV evening news coverage here for the most recent update and key details  Please click on the video news coverage as reported by Al Sweeny.

I want to emphasize that we in Caledonia are once again under virtual siege, and that violence could erupt at any time - it is a powder keg situation where we are dealing with individuals who have absolutely no respect for law and order.
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What follows is a chronological summary of what occurred on a very busy 10 July 2014 - with new information trickling in all day and into the evening.

It might be useful to read the immediately preceding posting to this blog since it gives a lead in to the events of the 9th and 10th of July 2014. 

First Reports:  The "Brantford Expositor" of 9 July 2014 provides an update on the meeting that took place between David Zimmer, Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; Ken Hewitt, Mayor of Haldimand County; and Ava Hill, Chief of the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC).  

In an article entitled, Sides in talks over DCE barricade (see here), it is reported that, The meeting at an undisclosed time and place included Zimmer, Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid, Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt and Six Nations elected Chief Ava Hill.

Details concerning the outcome of the meeting were not available Wednesday evening.

Although it is not required by law, and generally proves disruptive to the process, it is noteworthy that a Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) representative such as Head Chief Allen MacNaughton was not present.  It can easily be determined why the no show as per the wording here:

The Six Nations Confederacy was invited to send a chief to the meeting, but the day before issued a statement that it “must respectfully decline the invitation to meet with Minister Zimmer, Minister Duguid, Mayor Hewitt and the representative of the Indian Act system” (the Confederacy's terminology for the elected council chief).

“The Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs council have, through the communication protocol established with Ontario, repeatedly expressed their concerns to the province over the disruption of peace that continues to grow from the Crown's side of the Two Row Wampum,” the statement says.
“We would remind Ontario that this issue was dealt with in 2006 when Ontario agreed to remove all third party interests with the purchase of the land in question, without prejudice to our position that the land in question is Haudenosaunee land.

“It is within the authority to Ontario to rectify any outstanding issues with regard to third-party interests that affect Haudenosaunee lands at Kanonhstaton.”

The above was clearly written by someone with formal legal training.  The HCCC / Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) legal representative is Aaron Detlor (a licensed lawyer in Ontario). 

        Interpretation:  So one might infer (particularly in light of previous statements on this subject) that HCCC does not recognize the legitimacy of SNEC despite the fact that the change to an elected system in 1924 was instituted by request of Six Nations progressives, and because the then Council had become severely dysfunctional and seriously delayed any business (decisions) that needed to be conducted with the Government of Canada (e.g., transfer payments, infrastructure, schools).  Calling the duly elected, by a democratic process, Chief Hill a "representative of the Indian Act system" is a very clear indicator of why there will never be agreements until and unless the Federal Government recognizes the HCCC as the legitimate representatives of the people of the Six Nations Reserve.  There are excellent legal reasons why that will never happen, including Court decisions such as Davey et al. v. Isaacs et al. (1974).  However, mysteriously, the HCCC will consistently turn around and blame the Federal Government for failing to negotiate.  It should be obvious that their blaming the Ontario or Federal Government is specious and self serving.  The idea that in this day and age an oligarchy should be given authority over the elected representatives of the people is regressive and counterproductive.  This is not 1714, it is 2014 and we have entered a highly complex modern era where if in this case Six Nations wishes to have the Government institute timely actions, there is a requirement for a representative body that will meet at regular intervals and are prepared to work with Government representatives to keep things working efficiently.  It is Canadian taxpayer dollars which keeps the Six Nations programmes and services (e.g., policing, schools) humming along, and there is a need for accountability, something the HCCC has been unable or unwilling to do (e.g., with respect to the money extracted from developers by the HDI - no one outside this small clique knows where that money goes - a chronic complaint at Six Nations which I have discussed before).

The article continues, stating that, On the morning of the meeting Scott Cavan, a spokesman from Zimmer's office, expressed disappointment that the Confederacy would not be attending it.

“The province intends to proceed with the meeting and remains hopeful the Confederacy will reconsider their decision not to attend,” Cavan said at the time. But the Confederacy did not change its mind.

        Interpretation:  No, the Confederacy / HDI did not change its mind, but for some unknown reason, was gathered together on 9 July 2014 at the barricade blocking Surrey Street, with their legal representative, apparently waiting for someone from the Ontario or Haldimand governments to appear (at least that is the rumour that was going around in that location) to inform them of the meeting or consult in some manner - despite adamantly refusing to participate in any manner.  What is a mystery is that if they wanted to be part of the process, why would they not see it to their advantage to be at the table and have input?  Apparently it gives them license to later complain that they had no involvement so are not bound by any decisions made without them.

Further information, from "CHCH TV", includes what seem to be confusing platitudes offered by the HCCC legal representative as to why they refused to attend the meeting can be found here. 

The "Hamilton Spectator" also has a story about the matter, and notes that Minister David Zimmer was not willing to provide further information about the meeting at this time (see here).  However there are interesting statements from HCCC and as well HDI which speak volumes.  Specifically, Representatives from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy were also invited to Wednesday's meeting, but declined. Hazel Hill, the director of the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, said the summit didn't meet the group's established communications protocol.  The latter statement (bold printed by the present author) shows precisely what Haldimand County Council, developers and anyone has to face - their arbitrary set of "rules" which have no authority in law, and often end up being thinly disguised ways to extort something.  In the past it has always meant paying an "application fee" (usually from $3,000 to $7,000) before anything can move forward.  Ka ching.  Anyone who wishes further information on this arbitrary "protocol" can read more here.

The HDI Director also said that, "The confederacy was put in the lead by the Six Nations people, and so the confederacy is the body to deal with treaties."  

        Interpretation - The Destructive Role of the HDI:  Actually the above statement is not true:

1)  The Six Nations Elected Council is the legally mandated voice of Six Nations.  The Confederacy has, if anything, only "moral authority" and is invited to discussions as a courtesy.

2)  The Ontario Government does not negotiate treaties, that is the purview of the Federal Government.  The matter under review has nothing to do with a treaty (there are no treaties between the Crown and the Six Nations).  The Ontario Government owns the property at DCE and it is registered on title in the Haldimand County Land Registry Office in Cayuga.  Haldimand County is responsible for the roads currently established thereon, including Surrey Street.  How this relates to supposed treaties is "unclear" to me.

As noted in recent postings to this blog, the HCCC / HDI intend to put a fence around the entire Douglas Creek Estates (DCE) property, and turn it into a "gated community" - even though it is owned by the Province of Ontario.  Their goal is to continue the "reclamation" (theft) process, adding the DCE to the Six Nations Reserve (as indicated by the official welcome sign at the Surrey Street entrance to the property).  Actually they consider the property to be theirs, and have attempted to keep all others from even entering the property - when in fact it belongs to the people of Ontario. 

One basic conclusion can be drawn here at this point:

Factionalism ensures that nothing substantive can result from negotiations about the barricade.

The fact is that in most quarters outside the Reserve there is an almost complete lack of understanding of the key factionalism issues that keep Six Nations from acting as a unit.  This is reflected in the Opinion column of "The Sachem" as seen here, where it is asserted that Haldimand County should have consulted with Six Nations before proceeding with the proposed barricade removal.  The harsh reality, the true facts, are that that is impossible because you can at best meet with only one or the other of the Six Nations "governing bodies".  If the Elected Council is consulted, the Confederacy will dig in its heels and refuse to meet with those who consult with their "rival" Elected party.  This has been going on since 1924, and there are absolutely no indicators suggesting even a remote chance that this is going to change any time soon.  Mayor Ken Hewitt and Council understand the dynamic and realize where negotiations lead - down the road to factional disagreement which ensure that nothing will get done.  Often only a lawful unilateral decision can work.  By meeting with the lawfully recognized party at Six Nations early in the matter, they have taken steps to ensure that the only ones that will fault them are those who do not understand Six Nations politics.

Provincial Government's Response is Released:  An update just appeared in the "Brantford Expositor" in an article entitled, Two Ministers claim early success in talks (see here).  Information not included to date here includes the following:

The joint statement by Ministers Zimmer and Duguid states that, their summit with Six Nations and Haldimand County leaders over the ongoing situation at the Douglas Creek Estates was successful enough to keep meeting to find a solution, and further that, “This meeting of the political leadership of the parties affected by DCE is a significant milestone for our ongoing efforts to reach a long-term, sustainable resolution for DCE”.  Furthermore, The political leadership at the meeting committed to meet again later in the summer, and agreed to have their respective staff work on proposals for near-term and long-term issues.

In addition, “Only the settlement of the Six Nations' land claim will provide a permanent and sustainable solution to DCE,” they said.

“We reiterated our call for the federal government to return to the negotiation table.”

The two ministers also expressed disappointment the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs council declined an invitation to join the meeting.

“We will continue to encourage the Confederacy Chiefs Council to participate in our future discussion,” the statement said.

Further Update from the Brantford Expositor:  Another article appeared in the "Brantford Expositor" later in the day (see here), entitled, Ministers call on Ottawa to restart land talks.  Much of the article is an expansion on the above article in the same newspaper reported earlier in the day.  I will divide the content into three components, relating to the responses of the three parties directly involved in the matter:

a)  Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt:  The Mayor has quite a bit to say - as follows:

Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt says he sees signs of hope from a summit meeting held by two Ontario cabinet ministers over the latest Douglas Creek Estates dispute.
 
"It was positive to get a multi-ministerial meeting together so they could hear what we and Six Nations feel about the issues. That in itself was a good start," Hewitt said in an interview Thursday morning.

He was speaking about a meeting he attended Wednesday at an undisclosed location with Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer, Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid and Six Nations elected Chief Ava Hill.

"We have to be optimistic that when parties come together and share their opinions, people come to understand each other better," Hewitt said.

He said the meeting contained frank and wide-ranging discussion about the concerns of Haldimand and Six Nations council resulting from the county's decision to remove a barrier on Surrey Street, the entrance to the disputed former Douglas Creek Estates property.

"We left it with the ministers that we both have concerns in our communities," said Hewitt.
"The ministers said they will meet with the cabinet and the premier (Kathleen Wynne) to talk about what can be done to bridge our communities' differences and not have them fighting."

Furthermore, the Mayor said about the parties involved in the meeting, "They're going to work on proposals keeping in mind what's doable from a pragmatic standpoint and a legal standpoint," said Hewitt.

b)  Ontario Ministers Zimmer and Duguid:  Ministers Zimmer and Duguid had similar perspectives of the meeting in a joint statement released early Thursday morning.

"This meeting of the political leadership of the parties affected by DCE is a significant milestone for our ongoing efforts to reach a long-term sustainable resolution for DCE," the statement says.
The ministers, Hewitt and Hill commited to meet again this summer and agreed to have their staff work on proposals for short- and long-term issues.

Furthermore, In their statement, Zimmer and Duguid said all parties in the meeting recognized that a solution can only be found in working co-operatively and in good faith.

"We also recognized the need to reduce the potential for confrontation and risk to public safety," the statement says.

Zimmer and Duguid contended in their statement that one ingredient is essential for a permanent resolution: "Only the settlement of the Six Nations' land claim will provide a permanent and sustainable solution to DCE," they said.

"We reiterated our call for the federal government to return to the negotiation table."

The two ministers also expressed disappointment the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs council declined an invitation to join the meeting, but said they "will continue to encourage the Confederacy Chiefs Council to participate in our future discussion."

c)  Six Nations Elected Chief Ava Hill:  The article did not note that either Chief Hill or her office had issued any sort of press release.

Hereditary Confederacy Chiefs Council / Haudenosaunee Development Institute:  Although having refused to in any way participate in a meeting where the Elected Council would also be present, the HCCC representatives, the HDI, did issue a press release.  Specifically, The Confederacy council had issued a statement Wednesday afternoon declining to join the meeting, because it didn't meet its established communications protocol.

The council released another statement Thursday, saying it is "concerned for grave consequences that could erupt over the ensuing summer months as the Ontario legislature takes a summer break without returned to the communications protocol and discussions."

The statement also said the Confederacy council considers the DCE land rights issue settled because "third party interests have been removed with the land now registered in the Haudenosaunee Confederacy chiefs Council land registry."

The statement further noted a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in a land rights case involving the Tsilhqot'in Nation "which determined that band councils do not have the ability in Canadian law to represent the collective rights and interests of the original people of this land."
The Confederacy council urged the Ontario government to return to a communications protocol to resolve outstanding issues.  So the HCCC do not recognize the authority of the Elected Council - that is not new (it has been true since 1924), nor a surprise in the least.

This ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada is being used to re-energize the Hereditary faction and the HDI.  I will include a separate posting with more details on the nature of this development.  First,

Problems Concerning the Above Bold Printed Information:

1)  Statement of the Ontario Government (Liberal Party) representatives: The Federal Government (Progressive Conservative Party) never left the negotiating table until the HCCC (who was there only as a courtesy) began making unreasonable proposals.  The land claims were submitted in 1987, and in 1995 all parties agreed that the surrenders were legal and valid, but that there may have been irregularities in relation to Six Nations Trust Fund monies.  Hence it was about money, not land.  There things rested until 2006, and with amnesia and a sense of self - righteousness, some at Six Nations decided that despite what their own research and legal team had found, it was time to make a demand for land to be "returned", so they embarked on a "reclamation" process.  As to the post 2006 negotiations, it was the Elected Council who bailed out in 2010 (in utter frustration having to deal with the HCCC's demands) leaving the Hereditary Council to carry the ball, however the latter do not have a legal mandate to negotiate for Six Nations.  The negotiations at that point fell apart when the HCCC failed to be in any way reasonable in their demands with the Federal Government who thus were forced to withdraw as the Elected Council had. 

2)  Statements of the HCCC / HDI:  We who live here well know what "grave consequences" means - in other words violence, and disruptions be they work stoppages or blocking roads.

The "communications protocol" is a sick joke.  The HDI consistently make outlandish declarations.  They are claiming facts that are not true, entitlements to which they are not due, and powers they don't possess - all the while threatening that if they don't get their way there will be dire consequences.  Nothing has changed,  This group, which has been fined by the Superior Court of Ontario for their illegal and shady activities is still demanding concepts originating in the mind of their legal representative such as conforming to their "communications protocol" - or else.  This has been their modus operandi since 2006 to extract as much money as possible from for example developers.  I have included specific information about this behavior in many previous postings to this blog.  The bottom line - what does it take to have the goons go away and work stoppages end?  Answer - payment of the "application fee" (generally between $3,000 and $7,000).  They seem to have suffered a major blow with the judgment (injunction) of  Justice Harrison Arrell of the Brantford Superior Court in 2009 fining them and associates over $800,000, later dropped to $350,000 and finally a settlement for $125,000.  While this appears to have been a setback, the new ruling relating to the Indian Nation in BC has been over interpreted to somehow apply to Six Nations.  Anyone who would buy into this assertion would be very naïve indeed.  As ridiculous as it may be, the matter will probably have to be tested in Court.  My sense of all this is that they are going to get caught in the lie, and again with their hand in the cookie jar since there is nothing to support their claims of a requirement to follow their "communications protocol" other than brash bravado.

As to the HCCC land registry, while there may be a HDI land registry, it is as legal as one I might chose to set up tomorrow.  It is extremely presumptuous and a lie to say that the land no longer belongs to Ontario and is now in their Land Registry. What would happen if my extended family decided to "reclaim" lands along the Grand River that once belonged to our family, ejected the people who owned the land who possessed a deed registered in the Land Registry Officer in Cayuga, then began erecting a fence around the property?  I can guarantee that we would all be instantly arrested and face a series of charges in Court.  It is 8 years now and the HDI (a step child of the DCE "reclamation") has never relinquished their false claim to the DCE property and have remained "in control".  The ONLY difference between the HDI and my extended family is that the former have government issued "status cards" and recognized as "special" under the Indian Act of 1876; the latter group at this time does not have "status" nor fall under the provisions of the Indian Act (which ironically tends to be "hated" by the very group that is profiting from it).  Is this fair or just?  The objective answer is that it is a reflection of a two-tiered system where one group of Canadians has rights and "entitlements" not given to others.  If that is fair, I don't understand the meaning of the term.  I have spent 40 years studying for example the Two Row Wampum, Covenant Chain, 1763 Proclamation, Haldimand Deed (of occupation), and all the surrenders from the 1780s onwards to 1850 - topics "status" people do not expect "non status" people to know and understand.  I am not giving opinions pulled out of the clouds in this blog, but rather an assessment based on all of the facts pertaining to the matter.

In an article in "The Hamilton Spectator" of 11 July 2014 entitled, Six Nations Confederacy warns of "grave consequences", we learn further assertions of the HCCC / HDI in relation to the land.  They state that, "The land is now under the sole jurisdiction of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council" said the statement issued by the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy of the Grand River Country.  Sole jurisdiction?  I wonder what the Elected Chief Ava Hill has to say about this.  Also the name appended to the press release is brand new.  To the best of my knowledge it has never been used before.  Clearly the HDI are stepping up the pace and trying to turn the screws to exercise power they do not lawfully have - using threats and intimidation as their weapons of choice.

In summary, the Federal Government has repeatedly stated that Six Nations do not have any valid land claim which would result in the return of or payment for land - all surrenders were legal and are valid.  At least three Ontario Superior Court Judges have ruled that if the land claims were to go to Court, Six Nations have only the weakest possible case.  Again, there are possible issues related to the fiduciary responsibility of the Government - so the only wiggle room is over money not land - as well the legal representatives of the Elected Council knows.  However, the legal representatives of the HCCC, if they do know it, in other words are aware of the results of the research of the Lands and Resources Department and previous negotiations, do not accept it.

Latest Update:  "CHCH TV" on 11 July 2014 includes a report that, Province asks Ottawa for help in Caledonia (see here).  An example of the content is, Duguid says he’s hoping for a solution in the coming months, but is looking to Ottawa for support: “At the end of the day, the federal government has not done enough. It’s time for the federal government to do more. Disagree with that as well.” 

"The National Post" of 11 July 2014 provides more details (click here) of the Ontario Government's wrongful accusation of Federal Government inactivity in this file as follows:

It’s Ottawa’s fault that a Six Nations confederacy is warning of “grave consequences” this summer if Ontario continues talking with other groups about access to disputed land in Caledonia, Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid said Friday.

“I think that the responsibility for any consequence rests with the federal government, who is refusing to get to the table right now and solve that land claim,” Duguid told reporters. “That’s really the crux of the challenge.”

The province will do all it can to restore harmony in the area, such as meeting with the elected chief of the Six Nations, to discuss restricting access to the Douglas Creek Estates, but only Ottawa can deal with the land claim at the heart of the problem, added Duguid.

“The single most significant way that we can move beyond these challenges is for the federal government to get back to the bargaining table and settle that federal land claim,” he said. “That’s really the reason for the discontent, and the uncertainty that creates in the community.” 

Sorry, but the ball is in the Ontario Government's Court, and must use its Courts and the Provincial police force to quell the problem.  The above is nothing more than a classic example of "passing the buck".  The Federal Government at the moment has its hands tied due to the negotiation process of 2010 where the Elected Council left the negotiating table, leaving the Hereditary Council to carry on - but it has no legal authority and so anything that might have emerged has no weight in law.  The Hereditary Council don't want to negotiate (I have spoken to they and their supporters, they only want confirmation that the land at DCE is theirs and that their private HCCC "land registry" has supplanted the Ontario Land Registry system - which of course is absurd. 

Right now, in the midst of the "Caledonia crisis", and event of their own making, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) must be wringing their hands in glee.  By sheer chance a new ruling has come from the Supreme Court that they (meaning their legal representative) has deemed also applies to them.  In a nutshell, their perception is that it is the law of Canada that there is no requirement for the Government of Canada or the Provinces to work only with the elected band councils (mandated by the Indian Act of 1876 and revisions) - these bodies must also consult with the "wider community".  There are some rather large flies in the ointment here, and a lot of assumptions, as far as Six Nations goes - but it is full steam ahead for the HCCC and their henchmen.  So just what is this new ruling that the HCCC applies to them?

Bottom Line:  The Ontario Government clearly does not understand that the Federal Government cannot do anything, by law, until the Six Nations Elected Council opts to return to the negotiating table.  In other words the "Feds" hands are tied.  So the answer is to "cave", and give in to the terrorists?  The threats are now coming from HCCC about "grave consequences" if Ontario does not negotiate with them (despite the HCCC adamant refusal to negotiate with Ontario only a few days previous).  NEVER negotiate with terrorists, NEVER give in to threats - it will seriously backfire in the long run.

The HCCC and HDI will torpedo the entire process - mark my words - the latter include dangerous thugs bent on enriching themselves, and who have shown that they will stop at nothing to get their own way.  It seems that the Elected Council needs to step up to the plate and assert their rights.  If they fail to do so, the Federal Government needs to stop all monies (our tax dollars) being sent to Six Nations until the matter is sorted out.  If the Government caves, they could be placing land in the hands of the criminal elements poised on the doorstep of our community - a community which has suffered so much pain in the last 8 years.  Can we expect to see ever more cigarette shacks selling contraband tobacco, or perhaps a casino?  It would be the ultimate slap in the face, and would open the door, set a precedent, to permit the violent assertion of non existent rights across Ontario.  We MUST draw the line in the sand here.  NO MORE.

DeYo.

Hereditary Council Supporters Left Out of the Process - All Dressed Up at the Barrier and Nothing to Do

This just in!  By sheer chance, an informant was driving at about 1:30 pm through Caledonia on a "Tim run" (only Canadians will understand what this is).  He saw a CHCH mobile TV crew driving south on Argyle Street, and decided this could mean only one thing - activity at the barricade.  Sure enough the same Six Nations cast of characters present on the 5th (at the time of Gary McHale's march) were also sitting or standing around near the shack at the entrance to Surrey Street - on the west side of the barricade.  One person stood out from the rest as he was wearing a (well tailored) suit and tie.  Here follows the description, with photos, I was sent.

Someone from Caledonia had called CHCH, but also present was a reporter for "Turtle Island News" as well as the editor of that newspaper; and a reporter for "Two Row Times".  Clearly there was an sense of anticipation in the air.  A "plant" came over to speak with CHCH - an American residing in Caledonia who was with US Steel (based on the jacket crest he was wearing).  When asked why he and so many other unions such as CUPE supported Six Nations, the answer was that they supported them (unions) on the picket lines .........................



Al Sweeney of CHCH talking to Turtle Island News and the HDI



My correspondent was known to many there, and known to be less than supportive of the Hereditary Confederacy Chiefs Council position.  One reason being that all Court decisions had ruled that only the Elected Council were the legal representatives of Six Nations.  Any meeting with HCCC or their representatives such as Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) were of a courtesy nature only.  In reaching the barricade it turned out that the "suit" present was not the Aboriginal Affairs Minister, or the Mayor of Haldimand, but the legal representative for HDI, A D.  He was asked what his clan was, since there have always been questions as to why a non-Native was representing Six Nations people (although it is possible, as he was reported to have said on one occasion, that he was Mohawk on his mother's side).  He was unable to answer the question, and was clearly confused by it (meaning did not seem to have a ready answer, although he tried to speak his answers were not understood).  A woman (curiously the very slight woman who tore the sign from the neck of the Caledonia marcher on the 5th) had a ready answer, as follows, It doesn't matter, we have accepted him because he is of the right mind.  Ok, I guess that settles that. 

A D, in suit



Judging by what was said or inferred from the talk going around at the barricade, people were awaiting the possible arrival of Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer, and Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt.  It was general knowledge that there would be a meeting between these parties and the Chief Ava Hill of the Elected Council - but no one seemed to know where the "secret" meeting was to take place, or when, or whether they would make an appearance at the barricade. 

It was rather ironic that at the time I was reading "Turtle Island News", July 9, 2014, p.2, where there was some useful information in the article, Haudenosaunee Confederacy says Ontario can end any violence.  Here they reported that, The Haudenosaunee Chiefs Council, in a press release Tuesday said council received an invitation from Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer's office to attend a summit meeting Wednesday, July 9, 2014 that is expected to include representatives from Ontario, Haldimand County and the Six Nations Elected Band Council.  It seems that the HCCC were left out in the cold (actually it was a lovely warm day in Caledonia) and held out vain hope that they would be consulted - so instead were "waiting for Godot" - yet as we will see later, they set this up themselves.  Then in the article there is spin about how HCCC is taking steps to mitigate the damage caused by those nasty citizens of Caledonia who just won't give up trying to seek the truth and justice (not their words).  Further on in the article it says that, The release said Confederacy Council, at its July 5th meeting declined the invitation.  This of course begs the question, who were the group at the barricades, dominated by HCCC supporters, waiting for since the HCCC had declined being a part of the meeting?  Clearly they as well as the newspaper article were unclear as to the venue of the meeting, saying, A summit was planned for today somewhere between Toronto and Six Nations.

The release also, reminded Ontario of a recent Supreme Court decision in the Tsilhqot'in title and rights case which determined that Band Councils do not have the ability in Canadian law to represent the collective rights and interests of the original peoples of the land.  Having read this decision, I cannot see how the HCCC can extrapolate from this case to their own situation which is firmly rooted in a series of Court decisions such as Davey et al. v. Isaacs et al. (1974).  So encore, despite an offer to participate, the HCCC thumbed its nose at the process and sanctimoniously bowed out.  The release goes on to issue an outright WARNING, that they are, deeply concerned that there will be grave consequences for all people involved should the Crown's inaction continue.

The article gives a review of the recent decisions of Haldimand County Council concerning the barricade and the access road (Surrey Street), including the most recent proposed by-law to keep everyone off Surry Street, but, Hewitt could not say if the by-law would apply to both Six Nations people and non-native activists, although he hinted that it might apply to both.  If the latter statement proves to be correct, then the Mayor is being entirely fair and not favouring one side or the other.  Mayor Hewitt added that, "The problem is you can't write a by-law that picks race or culture or colour or culture," said Hewitt.  "If nobody's there then there's no stage for any issues.  I understand the argument of (Six Nations) people being there as the protector of land but if there's an agreement between us all that all people are unauthorized on that land then there is no need to protect it at this point.  The present author could not agree more - Mayor Hewitt is reflecting the views of all who advocate equal treatment before the law.  What Mayor Hewitt does acknowledge is that the County has no jurisdiction over the land surrounding the problematic streets (Surrey and Thistlemoor), which is owned by the Province.

The article ends with some frustration that, The Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Ministry did not return requests for comment again.

At about 2:30 everyone dispersed and the site was empty within a few minutes.  I am supposing that word had been received that the "officials" would be a no show at that location.

Rest assured, there will be a lot more to come pertaining to this issue.  I will try to provide the most up to date information.

DeYo.

Hold the Presses! "Riot" - Melee Breaks Out at DCE Barricade

UPDATE 12 July 2014:  If you wish to see a shining example of how the radicals do not respect anyone, even their own female elders, you must see this video uploaded from CANACE here.  It was taken during the melee of the 5th of July 2014.  This charming "gentleman" is also the one seen throwing tires on the fire in the middle of Argyle Street in 2006.  If you can stand to see and listen to this video (warning - extremely coarse and degrading language is used), recall the words he used to disrespect this female Six Nations elder, and the threats of what he would do to the daughter of a woman who is behind the videographer - we need to know what we are dealing with.  know that he is not representative of the Six Nations people, although unfortunately there are others who fall into this category on the extreme fringe of things.

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Saturday, 5 July 2014 will go down as a day of infamy.  A peaceful picnic and march by citizens of Caledonia and their supporters was met by an "ambush" by Natives lying in wait, itching for a fight.  It all happened outside the barricade, the one that illegally blocks Surrey Street, and such anger, such outright hostility and righteous indignation - "how dare you challenge our authority, we are the true owners of this land" - those words were heard by reliable witnesses.  Like all stories, we need to go back to the beginning.

The reason given for the rally organized by Gary McHale was due to the backtracking by Haldimand Council, who had stated that they unanimously agreed that the barricade had to come down, then seemed to lose their will after Mayor Hewitt met with the radical Men's Fire and others at Six Nations and made it seem that the agreement to have a contractor remove the barricade was off.  Concerns were heightened when Gary learned of the most recent secret meeting of Haldimand Council which recommended that a by - law be enacted to keep "negative influences" away from the road.  Of course everyone suspected that this meant Gary, not Six Nations, and thus we are back to square one with a two-tiered system along racial - ethnic divides.  So the way this would(n't) work is that the Indians can stay at DCE and walk around at will, even HH and AM notorious activists; but the "bad townies" meaning all residents, and especially Gary McHale, had to be kept out.  Please note that this is all supposition, until we find out what, specifically, the Ontario, County, and Band Council has hammered out.  It is not fair to "taint" Haldimand County Council before we have all the facts.

This blatantly racist by-law (if it emerges as many suspect)would be precisely the sort of action that we had spent 8 years fighting against.  Any wonder that concerns were heightened. We have learned over the years that no matter what, no matter who, no matter when, the activists running DCE have expressed an adamant refusal to be told what to do, or even to negotiate a sane and sensible solution to the problem of the blocked road.  All of us knew that we were being set up once more to be relegated to second class citizen status, while the very people who stole and occupied land that was duly and legally surrendered 170 years ago would be given free rein. I have searched all of the relevant documents, and there are NO irregularities upon which to pin any claim to recover land the ancestors wished sold so that the monies could be deposited in the Six Nations Trust Fund.  The "it's ok for you to be there, but not you" assertion is simply not acceptable, or an option.  I apologize in advance for jumping to conclusions - but past behavior is the best predictor to future behavior.

This sign was not well received at the barricade



The group met at a location in central Caledonia and travelled from there to the property purchased by RF, situated at the south end of the DCE property.  At that point a Bar-B-Que was set up, and all there socialized for more than an hour. 



The picnic at the part of DCE owned by a Caledonian



When the participants had finished their meal, most took Canadian flags, and one person had a sign which gave the date the land on which DCE sits was surrendered to the Crown, while another had around his neck a sign offering a copy of the surrender for anyone who wished to have one.  Lets just say there were no takers for the latter.  Another sign carried to the barricade related to the need for an apology.

View of cars of Caledonians toward barricade





As to the sign welcoming requests for copies of the surrender, one of the first things someone at the barricade did (a tiny but feisty woman with ill manners), was to "pop up out of nowhere", and rip the sign off the holder by grabbing on to the cord and simply yanking.  If the attachment had been metal, it could have sliced open the carotid artery of the person whose only "crime" was to offer factual material to all interested parties, irrespective of racial - ethnic group.  This was but one of many bad mannered and disrespectful acts that were to occur in the midst of a general melee.


Enroute to barricade with an "escort"



Six Nations members on access via 6th Line cat calling during interview

From the sidelines there was a constant verbal harassment by Six Nations and supporter (mostly the former) when Gary stopped to give an interview to CHCH TV reporter Al Sweeney (kudos to them for showing up and taking the time to as a series of excellent questions), and also reporters for "Turtle Island News" and "Two Row Times".  These were apparently the only media present.  There were however bloggers and others present and also taking videos and pictures.  It will be interesting to see what will show on the tapes of the event once they are published.

There were about 20 Ontario Provincial Police officers present, including a Native Liaison Officer.  Vehicles continued to arrive via the road off the 6th Line until more than 50 (an estimate) Six Nations and supporters were there compared to the 20 of so "townies and supporters".  Clearly outnumbered, the latter (and the police) were subject to all sorts of verbal and physical abuse. 

Reporters



At the actual barricade site itself, there were lines (some arm in arm) of Six Nations and supporters and groups or very agitated and angry looking young men and women.  In my entire life I have never heard more profanity, and more hurling of threats as occurred at the barricade on that day.  They were nothing more than schoolyard bullies.  The OPP and the Caledonia contingent were the target - the venom was coming from Six Nations.  I did not hear a single word of profanity or anything more than raising of voices by the Caledonia group; and yet the Six Nations group behaved badly making the usual "trailer trash" seen on COPS to appear positively gentrified by comparison to the embarrassing behavior of the Six Nations members who were present. 

The tapes show the usual suspects who appear at all such rallies, including one or more with restraining orders which were broken, and which were caught on tape (presumably to be used for prosecution later).  There were relatively minor assaults breaking out in clusters along the margin of the barricade.  None of the Caledonians went beyond the barricade, but Six Nations had a full presence there and more and more were arriving from the access off 6th Line.  It is true that some Caledonians did goad on some of the most unsavoury elements, even by simple non - verbal behaviours such as blowing a kiss, which seemed to infuriate some rather thin skinned "Natives".  One of the latter claimed that he sleeps in the chipboard shack just behind the barricade, probably to try to avert any night time attempt on the part of Haldimand Council contractors to remove the barricade.  He is also one of the two individuals seen throwing tires on the fire made in the middle of Argyle Street in 2006 - still wearing the same shirt.  As to how many of these worthies have actual jobs is anyone's guess - Chief Clarence Louis of the immensely successfully Osoyoos Band in British Columbia says the first criteria for any warrior is, "has a job".

To be frank, although there were calm elements among the Six Nations, they were few and far between and did not make their presence known.  The brash, noisy, boorish, disrespectful, no class - low class, angry types were front and center.  Some of the older individuals simply went around bumping into Caledonians in a sort of passive aggressive manner.  It is positively scary to think that what was seen here (soon to be uploaded via video tape for all to assess) is in 2014 a microcosm of Six Nations, and thus might represent a cross section of all of Six Nations.  I desperately hope that his is not true, and will seek clarification on this point in due course.  Unfortunately I did recognize a number present who I thought were moderate and rational ........................... I expect that many who would be horrified by what they would see simply stayed away. 

A bit of the melee at the barricade

 

A perspective at the barricade - Caledonia crew with sign that was not well received



Perspective at the barricade - Six Nations view - three OPP officers on right



Toward the end of the melee various citizen's arrests were enacted.  As I understand it, Gary McHale made a citizen's arrest on an OPP officer, apparently because the latter supposedly released a "Native" wanted in a criminal matter, and insisted that he be driven, with the "officer under arrest" and a witness to the Cayuga Detachment.  Then JW, a reporter for "Two Row Times", made a citizen's arrest on Gary McHale, supposedly for "inciting a riot".  The latter action may be problematic to the person making the arrest due to the circumstances, it was a melee not a riot, and the instigators of whatever it was were "Native", and Gary's intimate knowledge of the law in these sort of situations will be deployed.  All parties were headed to the Cayuga Detachment and further information is pending.  Despite being present, I am still unclear as to what the issues were.  Perhaps the videos noted below will clarify matters.

Gary McHale enroute to Cayuga Detachment



Media Coverage:

1)  CHCH TV Hamilton:  See here.  CHCH was the only non - Reserve media outlet to cover this story directly.  My thanks to them for venturing into this place, a world away from Toronto or Hamilton, where in the past their (CHCH) reporters have been assaulted and their equipment stolen by Six Nations militants.

2)  The Hamilton Spectator:  The most recent article on DCE came out today, although it did not mention the "gathering" on the 5th.  This article can be seen here.

3)  The Brantford Expositor:  Nothing to date.

4)  The Sachem:  See here for the article in the Sachem of 7 July 2014 which summarizes key events of the last few weeks, and provides some coverage of the "melee".  It was excellent that they included the entire wording of the sign at the top of this posting.

Citizen Coverage:

1)  CANACE video, 5 July 2014, of Gary McHale arresting OPP officer, click here.

2)  CANACE video, 4 May 2014, of Gary McHale and other citizens (including Natives who believe in his cause) trying to walk along a public (Haldimand County owned) road (Surrey Street).  The content reveals volumes about the people who consider themselves "defenders of the land" (when in fact they have no title or rights other than those possessed by other Canadian citizens).  Click here for a shocking expose - yes, you heard it right, the woman said "shoot him".

Other coverage will be included as it becomes available.  Other than "Turtle Island News" and "Two Row Times" (although a question can be raised as to whether their seemingly biased reporting counts as real journalism or merely propaganda) were present.  However if either provides a video it will be included here for completeness sake.  Whatever "press coverage" is given to the event will be posted next Wednesday (date of publication).  Here is a prediction.  One or both will excoriate McHale and the Caledonians, and paint a picture of the Six Nations people as heroes, victims of colonialism, and defenders of the land (despite the irrefutable fact that they stole the land from the legal owners).  We will see what sort of slant is given by Rez reporters, or whether they attempt to present both sides of the argument in a fair and objective manner - and which of the two newspapers best demonstrates the basic principles of their profession.

Six Nations Picnic Planned for Sunday 6 June 2014:  It will be plainly seen in the available videos that Six Nations who were in attendance had no intention of permitting Caledonians to have their peaceful assembly at the barricade.  The people of Caledonia and their supporters had every right to have a picnic on property owned near DCE by one of them, and then peacefully march to the barricade carrying Canadian flags.  It was seen as some sort of "attack" by those Six Nations and supporters in attendance on the 5th.  Somehow they found out about the event and came in droves to make Caledonians as unwelcome as imaginable.  On the 6th Six Nations activists are planning a picnic and will be at the barricade.  Lets see how many Caledonians make an appearance to disturb their event.  My guess is that precisely zero will appear, since most of us realize that it is their right to hold such an event, and we should not disrespect it.  On the 5th Caledonians were shown the utmost disdain and intolerance.  Despite my ties and experiences of my early years, it is now clear to me that the Six Nations who have been radicalized and emboldened are racist and intolerant, and that to them while it is fine and right for them to have a picnic at the barricade, the same does not hold true for Caledonians, who in their eyes have no rights.  So much for the "mutual understanding" that Mayor Hewitt and others speak of.  That is a pie in the sky concept which does not apply at ground level.  Six Nations present behaved as bullies on the 5th - lets see what can be said about the events of the 6th.

Update 6th June 2014 - Six Nations Picnic:  I have driven past the DCE site from time to time on the 6th and all appears to be quiet on this front.  There are no Caledonians with signs, I saw not a single OPP car anywhere in the vicinity (compared to the numerous and specialized vehicles seen yesterday). 

Assessment:  Alas due to these events as they unfolded in front of the video cameras, it is all too clear that there is absolutely zero hope for Haldimand County Council, Ontario Aboriginal Affairs or their Federal counterpart to make any headway except by totally and utterly capitulating to the combatants.  I am hoping that this will never happen as it will cause a ripple effect through Caledonia and beyond, and make a mockery of true justice.  We would come to realize that to stop violent take overs in our own country, we will have to do our own policing since no one has the guts to challenge the criminals who are running amok at DCE, and emboldened - awaiting their next "venture".  Will your community be next? 

It was a relief not to see any "extraneous" flags flying on the 5th.  Often in the past there were CUPE union supported groups present, sporting the flags that reflect their "cause".  In the past there have been Palestinian flags at DCE.  What is particularly troubling about the latter group is that a hauntingly similar situation involving "skewed policing" that we have come to expect in Caledonia, occurred in Missisauga yesterday outside "Palestine House", whose radical Islamic affiliations are well know to all levels of Government.  As can be seen in the Sun News tape here, the Palestinians violently attacked bystanders with their flag poles injuring a man who wore "Never Again" on his sleeve.  A very slight Japanese woman barely escaped injury as she was escorted across the street by the Toronto Police.  Basically the police did nothing to avert the violence, thus emboldening the Palestinian attackers.  Assaults were clearly evident on the video tape, and unless the police will be making arrests in the matter after reviewing this evidence - shame on them.  It was the victims who were singled out by police for "enforcement procedures" including arrests.  It appears that two-tiered policing has moved from Caledonia and Ipperwash to the streets of Toronto - Missisauga.  It would appear that we are seeing the future in these incidents of selective enforcements, where the most violent elements (considered "oppressed minority groups" by some - although relatively few) are allowed to ran rampant while the police act as "peacekeepers" - which is a total joke as we have learned here in Caledonia.

I must note in all fairness that on this occasion, at the barricades in Caledonia, I did not see any evidence of two-tiered policing during the picnic and march of the 5th.  The female sergeant was, in my opinion, very even handed and was doing a fine job in the midst of the chaos all about her.  She has been at other events (e.g., 4 May 2014) where matters were kept under control.  There was no thin blue line facing only the Caledonians.  There was no sense of being "singled out" because we were on one side of the fray - as has been the case from 2006 to 2013.  The OPP officers were milling about calmly attempting to keep tempers under control and turn down the volume.  There is nothing in the way of any complaint that at this occasion, can be said about the actions of the OPP officers.  This makes two occasions (the other being the arrest of JG) where I had the sense that officers were doing their jobs without any "preference" or special treatment accorded one side or the other.  This bodes well, but we have been burnt so often in the past that it will take some time to regain the trust we had before 2006 - good start though.  This is why I was surprised by the actions of Mr. McHale (citizen's arrest of the sergeant).  Perhaps there was more than what I saw to explain the events which unfolded.

In a modern democracy it should not be the responsibility of everyday citizens to do whatever it takes to bring law and order to their own community.  We give up any vigilantism with the understanding that we will be protected. However, what are we supposed to do when the preferred methods of Dr. Martin Luther King have failed us time and time again.  We have given the OPP 8 years to "do something".  At this point many of us are thinking that we would like our present Government to do what Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau did during the Front de Libertion du Quebec (FLQ) crisis - send in the army - and speaking as someone who saw armed soldiers patrolling our streets, we were relieved and thankful for his actions.  Would that we had a P.E.T. today - we desperately need someone at the helm of Government with his moxy to take charge and rid us of this volatile anarchy perpetrated by Six Nations militants.  It is setting a dangerous precedent - something the average Canadian does not seem to see, but who will pay dearly later for their apathy when it all appears on their doorstep.

My conclusion here in relation to the two picnics, Caledonia on the 5th and Six Nations on the 6th, is that Six Nations operate with a double standard.  It is fine and expected for them to have a peaceful picnic, but wrong and divisive and provoking for Caledonians to have a picnic under the same terms.  This in many quarters would be termed two faced hypocrisy.  The Six Nations (an unknown percentage of the whole) have exposed a violent and contemptible streak that no one wants to talk about, but the summary of picture and descriptions from 2006 to 2010 in Christie Blatchford's book, and the recent videos (right to yesterday), are consistent and speak much more loudly than the spin used in the Rez newspapers and other sources to paint a picture they want you to believe but that is simply not true.  Come to Caledonia and see for yourself if you want to see the "real face" of Six Nations in 2014.  I am dreadfully ashamed.  I know that my Six Nations ancestors would be horrified to see what has become of their people.  As a rule, the uncles and aunties who over the generations stayed Rez side did not fare too well (violence and early death being standard fare), the ones who left were generally able to make something of their lives (with some notable exceptions of course).  The point has been driven home that the key to success is education not indoctrination; critical thinking skills not robotic recitation of entrenched beliefs.  The key to success clearly is the avoidance of locations ripe with toxic influences.

More and more the veil is lifted on this radical element, and the stark reality becomes apparent.  Unfortunately the vast majority of the residents of Six Nations who would have a more open minded approach were nowhere to be seen.  There were actually "Natives" present with the Caledonia group who see themselves as Canadian and are horrified at the trampling of human rights seen at such events.  None were current residents of Six Nations - it would simply be far too dangerous to show support of truth and justice because of the on Rez dynamics.

I urge the various Government agencies to use caution, assuming that those in Haldimand County are not going to rise up, that is something only Six Nations would do - this is a dangerous assumption.  I live here.  I have connections in all camps.  I am hoping for the best, but will prepare to take the actions needed to see justice done in this neck of the woods.  Hopefully cool heads will prevail and justice will be served by not pandering to the "demands" of Six Nations militants.  The problem is that many have dug in their heels.  They have invested so much time and emotional commitment into this "reclamation" to the point that they are absolutely unwilling / unable to see reason, common sense, the facts, the evidence, the truth or anything resembling these concepts.  Many have the attitude that it is my way or no way - I have heard this time and again with my own ears.

I will never abandon the methods of science and the deployment of hard evidence to determine who has right on their side.  We know who at present has might (not right) on their side, and who has shown a willingness to use it.  If we permit this, "it is so because I believe it to be so" attitude to prevail, we are cooked.  Our country is poised to descend into anarchy as our Government and our police forces abandon us to our fate.  Few people who are Six Nations are willing to speak out and speak the truth - there are strong social pressures to conform and keep up the appearance of a united front to the world (while in the background the factionalism is tearing the community apart).  We (Caledonians and right minded Six Nations) should be standing together in this - it is a human rights issue, and should be of concern to all.  But, this is Caledonia.

DeYo.

Haldimand County Issues Press Release Regarding DCE

On 4 July 2014 there was a meeting of Haldimand County Council, and a summary has been published in "The Sachem" under the title of the present posting.  See here for the complete article.

While I could quote the entire article, the content is largely a repeat of what has been said before and discussed in recent postings on this blog.  The parts which I consider new or different in some way are the following in quotation marks:

Haldimand Council met on July 4th to discuss the next steps. They agreed with Six Nations Elected Chief Ava Hill’s comments that the Federal government needs to resume active negotiations on the native land claims for the long term stability of this area. Mayor Hewitt stated that “the Province needs to honour its commitment to work with both Haldimand County and Six Nations to actively develop a future use for the lands that benefits both communities.” At the local level, the focus needs to be on finding common ground which will lead to peaceful solutions. This is particularly important given the negative pressure being exerted by a few individuals, which will only serve to further divide the two communities.

The obvious question here is, who are these "few individuals" who have been exerting "negative pressure".  Could this be Gary McHale, the bane of the existence of Six Nations militants because he stands up for the rule of law and is against two - tiered policing - he has been the one constant here in Caledonia - ready to come to our defense despite considerable risks to himself (particularly from the Ontario Provincial Police).  It is solely because of the actions of Gary that the matter was brought to a head.  His simple act of walking down a public road, inadvertently challenging the "authority" of Six Nations has put the matter into the spotlight - especially with Sun News.  Had he not acted everyone would still be spinning their wheels.  Accolades should be given to Gary McHale, not the "demonizing" seen by not only Six Nations militants, but also by at least some (all?) on Haldimand County Council.  Shame on them.

Perhaps I am included here, since I have had a number of discussions with the mayor about the matter and my blog is anything but supportive of Six Nations "concerns".  If I was a Government official, I am sure I would have been sent for "sensitivity training" despite the fact that I am one of the Caledonians most familiar with Six Nations culture, history, and genealogy.

An important question needs to be asked? Does the list of those exerting "negative pressure" include HH of the Haudenosaunee Development Institute and AM of the Men's Fire?

Also noted was, At its meeting, Council reviewed a draft by-law which will remove public access rights on the roads leading into DCE. Such action is aimed at eliminating the unnecessary, negative disruptions that are occurring at the site. This by-law will be further considered at a future Council meeting. Council also authorized the Mayor to continue discussions with Six Nations and the Province regarding the DCE property.

So presumably this edict is a fascist - like attempt to stop Gary McHale from exercising his rights as a Canadian, and also for keeping all us pesky locals away from DCE.  Ok, I have a question, does this mean that Six Nations will no longer have any "public access" to the site?  It is not Six Nations land, and is actually land stolen from a developer and occupied illegally by Six Nations activists despite a Court Injunction issued by Judge Marshall of the Superior Court in Cayuga.  If there is a move to allow one group of citizens (those whose acts are illegal and highly disruptive) to wander about DCE at will (Six Nations members), but bars anyone who is not a member of Six Nations (or their outside supporters) from entering the premises (in other words Caledonian residents) - this is blatant discrimination, blatant racism at its worst.  However, before I make assumptions, more information is needed.

DeYo.

Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister to Intervene in Caledonia Barricade Impass

Recently I wrote to Hon. David Zimmer, the Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Ontario to alert him to recent developments, with the emphasis on the need to address the facts of the matter.  Specifically I emphasized that Six Nations have absolutely no legal claim to the former Douglas Creek Estates (DCE) (Kanonhstaton), that it is imperative to stop giving in to terrorists, and that under no circumstances (in my opinion) should Six Nations be given DCE.  See here for specific of e-mail.   I am convinced that if DCE is turned over to Six Nations it will set a very very dangerous precedent.  For example it will lead to expectations that they should also have the Burtch Correctional lands, and "surplus" lands in South Cayuga Township owned by the Province obtained by expropriating family farms with the odd belief that they would need it to create a residential satellite community to serve the Nanticoke industrial complex.  From there all doors are open, and that cannot be allowed.

For reasons not stated, David Zimmer had come to the conclusion that he would enter the fray and become directly involved in negotiations with various elements among Six Nations (that will prove to be a challenge), and Haldimand County.  Sun News Network has limited information here.

In an article entitled, Province hopes to help cool divide over Caledonia blockade removal, 4 July 2014 the "plan" is outlined - Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer's office is setting up a summit meeting with Six Nations chiefs and Haldimand County officials to find a "viable solution" after the county agreed to start tearing down the blockade at the former housing development site.  A very brief overview of the conflict is given - but little else since, No date or place for the meeting has been confirmed. 

Some further details are provided, but much is unclear or hazy.  What is stated is as follows:

"We hope to have our concerns recognized and Six Nations hopes to have theirs recognized," Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt said Friday. "Somewhere between the two is where we hope to land."

Chief Ava Hill said in an e-mail that she was withholding comment until the meeting date is confirmed and after she's had a discussion with the Six Nations council.

We will see where this leads.  I will go on record saying that it is unacceptable for the Province to give in to those who have terrorized Caledonia for 8 years.  Both the Elected and Hereditary Councils need to be told in no uncertain terms that no land, including DCE, will be forthcoming.  If they believe (despite what two Superior Court judges has said about their chances of success - zero to none - actually they said "weak") that they have a case, then take it to Court - but ultimately all rulings have been consistent, only monetary issues will be considered, absolutely no granting of land protected by the Ontario Land Registry system.

Giving Six Nations ANY LAND will open the door to anarchy. 

I hope that Hon. David Zimmer appreciates this fact.  Here follows a recent (5 July 2014) e-mail sent to David Zimmer:

Hon. David Zimmer

Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

 

Dear Sir,

 

I learned via Sun News that you have decided to attempt to intervene in the ongoing dispute in Caledonia.  While that is certainly a very positive step, and very commendable if only for the fact that very few politicians have "dared" even show their faces in Caledonia over the years.  The former Liberal Premier McGuinty never one came to Caledonia during our time of need.  We here have long memories.

 

As you may be aware, Six Nations politics is extremely complicated.  The chronic dispute between the Hereditary and Elected Councils is only the tip of the iceberg.  You may get one side on board, but that will be a signal to the other side to oppose everything to do with any agreement.  The two sides have yet to sit down together to effect any sort of agreement - even about trash disposal.

 

I know the entire situation very well.  My roots are here, I have studied Six Nations and local history in depth (e.g., sifting through all the relevant documents at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa since the 1970s), and I can tell you one thing that is a complete certainty.  If you give Six Nations even an acre of land, the decision will come back to bite you.  Guaranteed.  They are set to exploit any such attempt and will then "demand" the "return" of not only Burtch Correctional Center lands (250 acres), but fully ceded (in 1834) Provincially owned lands in Dunn and South Cayuga Townships - then the door flies open to numerous other items on their agenda.

 

Perhaps the following posting will provide some useful details:

 

http://deyoyonwatheh.blogspot.ca/2014/07/ontario-aboriginal-affairs-minister-to.html

 

Sir, by all means come here and listen to what all have to say.  I am at this point begging that you will not consider giving Six Nations any land - hoping that this action is not on the table - since those of us who reside here will have to live with the consequences.  Please be aware that if Six Nations are, under whatever pretext, given the former Douglas Creek Estates, there will be a furious backlash from residents of Haldimand County and beyond.  You are dealing with international terrorists, and appeasement will not bring "peace in our time", as Chamberlain was to learn the hard way in dealing with Adolph Hitler just before WWII.

 

Best of luck, and trusting that you will make decisions that will endure, ...............

Update 6 July 2014:  Article from the "Brantford Expositor" on this matter - Minister pushes for meeting on Caledonia barrier, see here.

DeYo.

Haldimand Mayor Backtracks on Promise that Barricade Is Coming Down?

In the today's issue of "Turtle Island News" (TIN), 2 July 2014, p.5, is the article entitled, Haldimand Mayor puts threat to take out "barricade" on hold after private weekend meeting.

I have no patience with people, especially elected officials, who say they will do one thing, waffle, change their mind, and then retreat to the status quo.  Is this an example of flip flopping or the "Stockholm syndrome" - some sort of identification with the aggressors?  Perhaps, but it is more likely that the Mayor has little choice but to meet with the self appointed representatives of Six Nations in relation to this matter which is bound to cause discord, and if all cards are not played well, the terrorists could use any action as a pretext to escalate the situation to their advantage.  The Men's Fire and affiliated Haudenosaunee Development Institute have shown in numerous work stoppages in Haldimand and Brant Counties that they do not "play fair", and that the facts and the truth mean nothing to them - only their "agenda" holds any sway, and the end justifies any means.

As noted in postings below, Haldimand County Council had voted unanimously to remove the illegal barrier blocking Surrey Street, a County Road.  This structure is a legacy of the total breakdown in the rule of law, and the two - tiered policing that has been the order of things since local thugs, international organized criminal elements, lay abouts, White Communist - Anarchist supporters, and other unsavoury elements have plagued the site since day one.  Caledonia had been terrorized, and individual citizens brutalized by the uncaring, unfeeling, control freaks who made their life miserable particularly during 2006.  It is disappointing that the Mayor has concluded that these groups are even worthy of two minutes of his time ................. but until more is known, perhaps we need to give him some slack and the benefit of the doubt.

Since 2006, we here have learned that the police (Ontario Provincial Police), the Federal Government, the Provincial Government could care less about us rubes out in the sticks.  Let us suffer, there are not that many votes involved anyway.  So who is here to protect us?  Who can we call if we need assistance and there is a "Native issue" in progress?  I did report earlier on a well documented (by video camera with sound) take down of a Six Nations "land protector" who assaulted a citizen and was arrested in a calm professional manner by the OPP.  This event gives some hope that if individual officers have the discretion to make an arrest, they will do so - if there is no interference from "up top" (the most egregious examples being from the era of Commissioner Fantino who blamed everything on the one person we could depend upon, Gary McHale).

Here is what is reported in the above newspaper article.  There are no immediate plans to remove the security barrier at the front entrance of Kanonhstaton after a secret meeting on Sunday with Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt, the Six Nations Men's Fire, OPP and a handful of elected councilors.

Hewitt told Turtle Island News on Monday that he walked away from the meeting with more understanding of the "emotional attachment" Six Nations people have to the land at the former Douglas Creek Estates housing development on Argyle Street in Caledonia.

"I believe it was a very good start for me to appreciate and understand a lot of the dealings and the sentiments of the people ........... who are pretty emotionally attached to the property" said Hewitt.

"At the same time, it was an opportunity for me to express to them where we're coming from.  It was an opportunity for people to learn more about each other". 

The article once again perpetuates the lies that JG suffered numerous bruises and injuries when police arrested him after an altercation with Binbrook activist Gary McHale.  Any injuries, according to the multiple videos of the take down were caused by JG resisting arrest and placing himself in a situation where he caused a few scrapes, and perhaps sore arms because he forced the officers to carry him dead weight (refusing to walk to the squad car).

HH, the Director of the radical Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI, the extortion wing of the Hereditary Confederacy Chief's Council), gave her opinion that, Any concerns they have should be directed to Ontario rather than attempting to hijack what are very serious and established treaty rights and turn it into their own political platforms in a campaign stunt.  This is sheer nonsense since the Six Nations have NO valid treaty rights (only the fraudulent "Nanfan Treaty"), and it is the Federal Government not Ontario who negotiates with Native leaders - which would be the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) based on a number of key Court decisions such as "Isaac et al. v. Davey et al. (1974)" noted previously.  So the HDI and Haudenosaunee Men's Fire (HMF), who are responsible for so much chaos and destruction are allowed to rule the roost here and it is they who are calling the shots.  It is also they, and their stubborn insistence that they alone have the right to negotiate with the Government (any level of) who in turn caused SNEC, the legally constituted party for all Six Nations negotiations, enormous frustration to the point where they, walked away from the talks in 2010. 

The Ontario Government is saying that the Federal Government needs to return to the table before they former can get fully engaged, but the latter cannot do so because of the factionalism at Six Nations with infighting between HCCC and SNEC.  So basically the Ontario and Federal Governments are being told by Six Nations that they need to return to the bargaining table or that they are delaying or that ................. when the truth is that no level of Government knows who is in charge (so many competing factions make that claim) - yet they are blamed for holding up negotiations!  What is really incredible is that many people buy into this concocted story, where in fact it is the Six Nations who are putting everyone else into a no win situation yet have the audacity to point the finger of blame at "the Government". 

What is really galling are the veiled threats given to Mayor Hewitt.  There is not a shadow of a doubt that he and the Government are negotiating with terrorists here.  The article in TIN continues, saying, Sources said Hewitt was warned at the meeting if the county tried to forcefully remove the barrier, there would be a flare - up in the town "worst than what happened in 2006" when Six Nations reclaimed the land from developers.  Really, well that is a lie - there was no "reclamation" only "theft". 

Mayor Hewitt said that, As mayor, I only speak for council.  I can't simply remove a resolution that was passed.  (I said) I would give council an update on the meeting and encouragement that there was opportunity to discuss ways to assist each other in achieving our goals.  With due respect, that has been tried for 8 years with absolutely no success.  It is time to shift gears and put some teeth into the law.  An injunction was issued 8 years ago requiring the removal of all the protestors.  It has never been enforced (all hell broke loose when the OPP attempted to do so in 2006).

The world needs to see the evidence of the surrender of the land at DCE at the Onondaga Longhouse on 18 December 1844 by 45 Chiefs in Council, and again on 17 September 1845 by 66 Chiefs in Council, and the question is why 170 years later should descendants of those who granted the land to the Crown have any right to undo what Council agreed to so many years ago.  What is the rationale.  There is none that will wash and the world needs to know that the reclamation is based on greed, and perceived entitlement, not on law.  If the Flemish citizens of say Belgium decide that despite signed agreements by the legitimate authorities that they don't like what was done and they want the land to be assigned back to only the Flemish - would that be accepted, or does it make any sense?  A deal is a deal, and it was done in Haldimand to allow the Six Nations Community to remain intact as it was becoming evident that individual members were selling off their lots to White buyers and what remained of Six Nations territory was becoming a patchwork of plots and the Six Nations becoming scattered (many left in disgust for the American Northwest - Ohio - at this time where they hoped to live as a group in the Honey Creek Mohawk settlements and nearby Seneca settlements).

If there is an insurrection as described, then finally the military can be called in to clear the land of terrorists and restore order.  The law is fully on the side of the Crown, there is no gray area here.  If Six Nations members defied the law and threatened surrounding communities, it is the duty of the army to "take care of business" - something that should have been done long ago since there is not the faintest hope that the emboldened (thanks to the many enablers) activists will back away.  They have learned that if they press ahead forcefully, the "authorities" will always back down.  I have heard them laugh at the police and the Courts and anyone who "defies them" since, the attitude is that "the land is ours for the taking".  With my own ears I have heard activists say precisely this - and that "Caledonia is ours".  You cannot reason with people like this, as events since 2006 have shown, only the force of the law applied evenly to all Canadians can do that - and if it takes the army, it will show that a line has been crossed and that outright anarchy will not be allowed to prevail in this small section of Canada.  If no one else will assist us, the onus will be on our shoulders to deal with these domestic terrorists as befits the circumstances.

DeYo.

Reporter Provides Erroneous Information in Comments to a Letter to the Editor of the Brantford Expositor

It was interesting to see a newspaper reporter, in this case from "Two Row Times" (TRT), comment on a Letter to the Editor submitted to another newspaper, specifically The "Brantford Expositor" (Expos) - by in this case submitting his own Letter to the Editor of the Expos entitled, Caledonia Barricade serves Purpose.  I don't know that I have ever seen that occur before.  Generally a reporter needs to maintain their independence and at least give the appearance of objectivity as a member of the media.  So when I saw the name JW, it tweaked my curiosity as to why, as a reporter for TRT, Mr. W would compromise professional standards or guidelines, and whether he had "crossed a professional line".  To be absolutely frank, I don't know if this is considered appropriate in media circle, I am only extrapolating from guidelines and standards in my own profession.  It would not have been as troubling if the letter was factual, but instead it was replete with unsupported opinions, and serious errors in fact.

The letter in question can be found here.

First some background.  JW, a non-Native person residing in Brantford, used to be a reporter and photographer with the Reserve newspaper "Tekawenake".  When the latter folded somewhat more than a year ago Mr. W and colleague TK, a White radical Communist - Anarchist who has caused untold suffering in Caledonia, became associated with a start up newspaper, "Two Row Times".  As it now stands Mr. W is a reporter, and Mr. K has risen in the ranks to become a General Manager and Editor of the Six Nations and "Dish with One Spoon" territory newspaper which competes with "Turtle Island News", which maintains that they are the only Reserve newspaper.  I don't suppose that it would be "fair game" to include any information that I overheard Mr. W say to another non-Native in a local restaurant about his situation, so that will not be included here.

The primary focus of the present blog posting is to challenge the factual content of Mr. W's (JW)letter.  I will do this by quoting from the Letter, then will offer sourced information to content.  In my opinion what was written by JW is largely Six Nations propaganda - the party line.  In italics below are excerpts from the letter by JW, then to be followed by my comments and evidence.

1)  Cam Martindale's letter published last Friday Shows that he is one of so many Canadians who have no idea what is going on around them. The key to understanding Six Nations is that they are not Canadians, but rather a distinct and sovereign people with a constitution that precedes ours by about 1,500 years.

I have been unable to locate Mr. Martindale's letter, however, the allegation of the latter's ignorance is going to be attenuated when examining JW's written assertions.  As to the comment that Six Nations people "are not Canadians" that is nothing but a political statement of politically correct dogma.  In fact Six Nations and all who live within Canadian boundaries and who are subject to Canadian jurisdiction are de facto Canadians.  Six Nations are subject to Canadian laws and any Criminal Code violations will result in the same sentence as any other Canadian.  Six Nations accepts Transfer Payments and Welfare from the Federal Government of Canada - so if they are not Canadian, they need to return a lot of money - and with interest. 

Six Nations are not aboriginal to Canada.  Their homeland is in what is today Upstate New York, United States of America.  So Six Nations are immigrants and refugees just as the White United Empire Loyalists who departed American territory after the Revolution.  The argument about sovereignty is specious.  There is not a shred of evidence to support it - but it is widely believed to be true.  Six Nations were given "occupancy rights" by virtue of the Haldimand Deed, but the title to the land was and is vested in the Crown and its successors.  It is true that in the 1640s the then Five Nations (including my own ancestors) committed an act of genocide, destroying all of the Nations residing in Southwestern Ontario.  However, attempts to settle or lay claim to the land from the 1680s was net with increasing hostility from the Mississauga and their neighbours (including the remnants of the Huron / Wendat who escaped the attempt at complete annihilation in the 1640s) such that by 1700 all 8 Five Nations settlements north of Lake Ontario had been destroyed and their surviving inhabitants pushed back to the aboriginal lands in what is today Upstate New York.  In each and every document or council dating from 1700 onward, the Six Nations recognized the sovereignty of the Crown and "His Majesty the Great King of England".  Never once has the Crown or its legitimate agents questioned that the Six Nations were subjects of the King - it was true of all within the lands claimed by Great Britain, just as the same situation was true of the lands claimed by the King of France (lands that ultimately came under the sovereign control of the British Crown).  I have written about this matter in numerous postings, with examples and sources.  So the claim that Six Nations (all 23,000 on and off Reserve) are a sovereign people is only wishful thinking, and of relatively recent origin.  It is the Mississauga, from whom Governor Sir Frederick Haldimand purchased the Grand River (Haldimand) Tract - it is the Mississauga (e.g., those residing on the New Credit Reserve near Hagersville) who are aboriginal to the Caledonia and surrounds area.

As to the antiquity of their Constitution.  First, it was never recorded until the mid 19th Century, so we do not know how much has changed since the founding of the "League" or "Confederacy".  One thing is absolutely certain though, and that is that JW's dates are nothing by a stab in the dark.  For those who want to look at hard evidence, there is nothing in the archaeological record to suggest the timeline proposed by JW - that the League was formed about 500 AD at which time a "Constitution" was established.  Anyone who wants to check out the facts here would be well advised to read a summary text by the doyen of Upstate New York archaeology (a man I know and respect), Dean R. Snow.  His book which is part of "The Peoples of America" series is entitled, The Iroquois, Oxford UK & Cambridge USA, Blackwell Publishing, 1996.

The data shows that the ancestors of those who would become the Five Nations began to arrive from what is today Central Pennsylvania circa 900 AD.  So not only are Six Nations not aboriginal to Southwestern Ontario, they are not entirely aboriginal (depending on definition) to Upstate New York.  They came from somewhere else, just like everyone else over the years - via migration.  At this time a new people arrived in Upstate New York, but with many of the pottery traditions continuing for some time - likely because the females of the defeated groups were incorporated into the Five Nations by adoption - a practice that extended into modern times.  So we are talking about 1100 years ago when the Five Nations made their first appearance as immigrants, displacing the former occupants.  The archaeological record shows increasing violence over time (cannibalism via cut marks on human bones; and torture, for example fingers severed and tossed among the garbage thrown over the palisade walls).  With the selection of sites for defense and the surrounding of villages with increasingly more substantial palisades we have evidence of warfare likely between the peoples who were to become the Five Nations.  Then, around 1500 AD there is a shift in settlement patterns suggesting that warfare was less of a concern (villages on flatlands and without palisades).  It would seem that about this time, say beginning circa 1400 AD a peace accord between those who would become the Five Nations was established.  As Dr. Snow concludes, Both Iroquois oral tradition and archaeological evidence for endemic warfare suggest that the League could not have formed prior to around 1450, and the process completed by around 1525 (p.60).  After this their violence was then directed outward toward neighbours not under the Great Tree of Peace - resulting in the wholesale destruction of the people in Huronia, the St. Lawrence Valley, Lake Erie shores, and down the Susquehanna River. 

2)  In speaking of Surrey Street JW states that,  a young Caledonia man drove a van down that same road at high speed and crashed it into the house where Six Nations people were sleeping, narrowly missing the gas meter. Those in the house administered first aid until the ambulance got there.  In fact, there is a lot more to this matter than the selective information presented here.  It was part of the ongoing chaos at the former Douglas Creek Estates site, which has included a number of rapes, assaults and other acts of violence.  The situation described by JW was kept out of the mainstream media - the only information I can find via google is on Six Nations Solidarity sites (hardly a reliable source) such as here.  It may have been reported in "Turtle Island News", or the now defunct "Tekawenake", but their content is not on google and my hard copies would have been recycled years ago.  What I recall is that the incident  involved not a White person as JW alludes, but a young Native male who was apparently bent on committing suicide, but the name of the injured person was withheld to protect the family.  Fortunately he failed, but this is a reflection of the horrors that have gone on here, perpetuated by Six Nations members and their invited outsiders, not the people of Caledonia.  That one single house is a microcosm or reflection of the social dysfuction that afflicts much (certainly not all) of the Reserve Community.

3)  A firebomb burned down the first structure built where the barricade is now. A nearby smoke shop, with people inside, was firebombed. A trailer was firebombed. as well.  Well, I live here and this is news to me.  Any "firebombing" has been perpetrated by Six Nations members or their supporters (see Blatchford or any of the local newspapers) - for example the arson incident which resulted in the complete burning of the Stirling Street Bridge which crosses the railway tracks - which is to this day closed.  That was well reported and here is a picture:

Here is another picture of the April 2006 riot by Six Nations and their supporters, where fire was involved in the form of a tire fire in the middle of Argyle Street, Caledonia:













Where is it reported that a structure built where the barricade sits now was firebombed, and if it was, where is the evidence as to who committed the act?

The smoke shacks are clustered around the former Douglas Creek Estates, and most are illegally situated on Hydro One land.  There is a smoke shack that may have burned on the Caledonia bypass near the stub of the Hydro One tower demolished by militants to use as a barricade - at least there is a lot of rubble around the new one - but it is well known that that there is no love lost between "business rivals" in the smokes trade.  Where is the evidence that anyone from Caledonia had anything to do with these alleged incendiary acts.  This is very irresponsible reporting.  Wait, technically it is not reporting, just a "letter to the editor" and hence you can say what you want and not have to provide evidence - under the guise of "opinion" and "free speech".  There is the freedom to lie too - although one may get caught in the lie and then later have to take responsibility in some manner.

DeYo.