Raid in Six Nations
By Janie Jamieson
February 5, 2009
For some time now women and men at Six Nations have been slowly re-asserting their sovereignty . This includes exerting the right to provide for their families within their own well defined homeland. (Turtle Island). This includes exerting their right to provide for their families on their OWN LAND and IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR TRADITIONAL LAWS AND GOVERNANCE.
However today the method in which these people provide for their families came under fire. These people operate “smoke shops” on what is traditionally known as Hamilton-Port Dover Plank Road. Today it’s known as Highway 6 south and Upper James Street South and Argyle Street among other things. This parcel was NEVER sold or surrendered by the Mohawks. (The recognition of that parcel being the property of the Mohawks is documented in the Haldimand Deed of 1784). However, Canada laid claim to this parcel despite never providing a “legal” bill of sale. (Don’t you normally keep your receipt of “big box” purchases??? Especially something as important of a piece of land???)
Anyways… Marie Trainor and the rest of Canada has laid claim to this parcel and claims “jurisdiction”. Today for some reason the Six Nations Police (Rocky Smith and Terry Martin were saying they were acting under the direction of Elected Chief Bill Montour and Director of Public Works Dayle Bomberry and also had signed agreements from the above mentioned) moved in and removed all product from one of the smoke shops. They attempted to remove the building itself but they were stopped by our men and women.
The Six Nations Police also claimed the “chiefs” directed them to dismantle the smoke shop, however this has not been verified.
Marked and undercover police were throughout Caledonia and at one point an OPP cruiser was turned back from entering onto Six Nations. This “dry run” was reminiscent of the “dry runs” done at other raids. The police would feign being lost and end up on the reserve. What actually was happening was the OPP were testing to see what our response would be. This helps the police figure out how many and what type of officers will be required and what type of weaponry and media they will need to execute an attack on us.
Some well informed community members and even the Six Nations Police themselves have already stated if the SNP can’t “get the job done” outside authorities will do it.
Six Nations Police had the audacity to call our men “squatters” for building on “band owned land” or “community land” and told one of the men he needed to vacate.This man was also told some of “our people didn’t want him on that land”.
Some of the officers said they took an oath to protect.
Any employee of the crown doesn’t understand birth gives Ogwehowe the responsibility to protect life in all forms. Any crown employee doesn’t understand birth gives Ogwehowe the responsibility to uphold and teach their own law. Birth also gives Ogwehowe the right to provide for their families on their territory in accordance with their own law. Ogwehowe are accountable to their mothers, grandmothers, aunties and sisters. Ogwehowe are accountable to their clanmothers, chiefs, clans and nations.
Crown employees are not allowed to understand our way of life nor are they ever allowed to accept it. Crown employees take an oath to uphold a way of life that is created to destroy Ogwehowe. The Crown has always existed to undermine and tear apart the Ogwehowe. It was proven again today at Six Nations.
It’s obvious the SNP and Six Nations Band Council have a lot of lost men and women on their “force”. Hell even Merle Haggard got it… wasn’t it him who put it so simply and straight forward…”They love their milk and honey but they preach about some other way of living… When your running down my country hoss you’re walking on the fighting side of me…”
Anyways, things are slow at the negotiating table. Despite the recession booming and the housing market coming to a crashing halt, illegal development continues.
Despite the recession booming, some Ogwehowe women and men are still able to provide for their families without Canada or Band Council’s assistance. So it seems like an attempt to spice things up was made today.
Despite the corporation of Canada being the largest employer on Six Nations, some just won’t buy into that and will continue to feed, clothe and shelter their families under traditional law. It just doesn’t matter how big the “gun” or pay check is on the other side…
Wii'nimkiikaa 