Six Nations people say man’s arrest breaks deal

Natives say man’s arrest breaks deal

September 20, 2008
John Burman and Rachel De Lazzer
The Hamilton Spectator
CALEDONIA

OPP officers have arrested a native man on Douglas Creek Estates, the first arrest on the site since an ill-fated raid more than two years ago fuelled a protracted land claims dispute.

Reading from a prepared statement yesterday at the site, native spokesperson Dawn Smith said the OPP broke an agreement made on April 20, 2006 not to enter the property.

That was the day dozens of OPP officers entered in a pre-dawn raid, arresting 16 protesters at the Argyle Street South subdivision they had by then occupied for eight weeks. It sparked native blockades and violent clashes.

Smith compared yesterday’s arrest of Kenneth Greene with the police tactics in Ipperwash that led to the death of native activist Dudley George in 1995.

“Today rings of Ipperwash all over again,” said Smith, surrounded by native supporters. “In our eyes, it was a direct act of aggression and hostility against all Haudenosaunee. The OPP were ready to shoot.”

Haldimand OPP Constable Paula Wright could not confirm that police pointed guns at anyone.

Greene, 43, of no fixed address, is charged with disguise with intent, four counts of assault with a weapon, three charges of uttering death or bodily harm threats, two counts of intimidation and four counts of mischief.

The charges are in connection with events on Labour Day, when the arrest of a prominent Six Nations spokesperson and two others in Brantford triggered a chain reaction that led to parts of Caledonia being barricaded.

The arrest follows a separate incident on Thursday when Dana Chatwell, who lives in a home at the edge of the property, alleged Greene threatened her husband Dave Brown with a gun.

Six Nations group stops work at Eagle Place housing site in Brantford

Work stopped on Eagle Place housing site

‘We’re here to make sure that no shovel is put into the ground’

Posted By VINCENT BALL AND MICHAEL-ALLAN MARION, EXPOSITOR STAFF
Brantford Expositor
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Six Nations group blocked an attempt to begin work Monday on the site of a new housing development at Erie Avenue and Birkett Lane.

Up to 30 members of the Haudenosaunee Men’s Fire gathered at the site of a 99-home subdivision at about 6 a. m. and didn’t leave until early afternoon.

Their efforts prevented city work crews from beginning work to provide servicing to the site, which is one of five designated no-go zones in bylaws passed by the city and an injunction obtained in Ontario Superior Court prohibiting activities that stop construction work.

“We’re required to be here. It’s our duty to be here, ” said native spokesman Dahwehido:geh, also known as Phillip W. Skye.

“This land is part of the Eagle’s Nest Tract. It has never been surrendered, ceded or given up and it’s our duty to protect it.

“We’re here to make sure that no shovel is put into the ground.”

As he spoke, Skye had a replica of the Two Row Wampum draped over his arm.

He said development of the site would damage the area’s eco-system and he encouraged city officials to move away from developing vacant land.

Skye said Men’s Fire members were at the site as ambassadors to peacefully and respectfully present their view.

They met with police to discuss safety during the blockade, Skye said.

The Men’s Fire received a boost from a visit by Six Nations Chief Coun. Bill Montour.

“It looks like it’s on a flood plain,” Montour said of the housing development. “What are they trying to do here, build another New Orleans?” The proposed development is another example of how good farmland is being ruined and replaced by concrete, he said.

Six Nations people have an obligation to protect the land and the environment.

“Concrete doesn’t allow you to grow good crops and, on behalf of most of us on the elected council, we’re behind you on this one,” Montour said.

City Mayor Mike Hancock declined to comment, citing the fact the bylaws and the injunction.

“It’s a matter for the police,” he said. Coun. John Bradford, who represents the area of contention, said he talked with various residents.

He said some in the area are supporting the activists, mainly because they either oppose the development or are in sympathy with them.

“These people perhaps naively don’t understand that they are hurting the economic development of Brantford,” he said.

“Even though they think they’re doing a good service in their backyard, they’re not. One group of neighbours is working against another group.”

Callout for Support – 6 Nations in Brantford

URGENT CALLOUT FOR SUPPORT – 6 NATIONS in BRANTFORD

This morning, the Brantford Police arrested two young activists from 6 Nations, aged 17 and 19. The two were arrested in transit while trying to leave the campsite on Fen Ridge Court. Twenty cops in 8 unmarked cars pulled over the vehicle they were travelling in, and arrested the two teenagers who are currently in jail. Activists at the site in Brantford have asked for supporters to come to the site tonight and/or tomorrow.

The Hampton Inn site on Fen Ridge has been shut down completely for two weeks. It had also been shut down several times over the last few months by various representations from 6 Nations including Ruby and Floyd Montour, the Confederacy Council, the Men’s Fire, and now grassroots activists including Boots Powless and a newly dubbed NYM-6 Nations. The current callout comes directly from the activists on site.

The group has maintained the site beside the Hampton Inn development site in a tepee for over 60 days, upholding the declaration put forward by the Men’s Fire that these sites should be shut down pending settlement of outstanding land disputes. Further, all three sites that have been targeted from the base camp have been sited as posing ecological threats; the Fen Ridge industrial development area and the Oak Park Road development site are located in an environmentally sensitive area less than a kilometre from the Grand River.

A Callout for supporters to be physically on-the-ground as early as tonight has been issued from the camp. They are also asking for food and phone cards (“solo” brand).

To get to the site:take the 403 to Brantford, exit at Oak Park Road, turn right at the T junction off the exit, then take the first left onto Power Line Road; the site is down the road a few hundred meters, and should be evident across from the King & Benton site. Look for the tepee, Boots has asked people to meet there first.

Wednesday September 10, 2008
BRANTFORD, Ont.

Today at approximately 11:00am my one year old son and I were leaving the King and Benton site in Brantford, Ontario. My sister left the site a few seconds behind me. Two youth were travelling with her. I stopped at the stop sign and then proceeded through. I checked my rear view mirror to see how far behind my sister was.

When I looked I saw a non-Native man with a closely shaved head pulling on her truck door with one hand while punching the driver’s side truck window with his other hand. He had a closed fist and was hitting the window with full swings. With all the threats made against our people and the violence and abuse we survive, I thought she was under attack by a group of skinheads, as there were several unmarked cars blocking her in.

I drove up to a spot where I could safely turn around. When I got back to the corner all vehicles were gone. I turned right because traffic was slow in that direction. Sure enough, the same cars had her truck surrounded but now the skinhead that was viciously, forcefully trying to attack them earlier had on an OPP vest and a belt loaded with weapons.

By then there were approximately 8 cruisers both marked (OPP and Brantford City Police) surrounding my sister and the two youth. They had one youth handcuffed. Moments later they handcuffed the second youth.

I told the police our youth are under our authority and jurisdiction as Ogwehowe women and the police had no right or authority to kidnap our children on our own territory. The police were informed our youth had EVERY authority to uphold our traditional laws.

The police were then told to cease and desist their armed invasions of our people. They were also told the kidnapping of our children needed to stop as well. They were told they keep trying to escalate things with our people and the tactics they are using is nothing short of declarations of war.

We were told how everything they were doing was “standard”. (Yes, even for an allegation of “mischief”.) As hard as it was to believe it was standard police practice, I do believe it. It was almost a year ago 9 of our people were attacked at Stirling Street for upholding their land rights by 200 fully armed RCMP, OPP, OPP Riot Squad and the Hamilton City Police . The acceptable standard to deal with our people for minor offences was most recently set in 1995 in Stoney Point when Dudley George was murdered by a paid sniper.

While we were talking about 5 officers (without permission) began searching my sister’s truck for “weapons”.

I put tobacco in the hands of the youth and told them to hold onto it and not let it go. The police told me I couldn’t do that and to get rid of it. The youth held onto it and were then placed in separate cruisers and taken to the Brantford Jail.

One youth may get out today. The other young man is up for bail tomorrow at 9:00am at the Brantford City Court on 44 Queen Street.

Also, Bawa Construction (Hampton Inn & Suites) has resumed construction despite being given several warnings they are building illegally on traditional territory in Grand River Country. I’ve been told construction will be shut down soon.

We are asking for support in the form of supplies and people both at the construction site (ASAP) and at the courthouse tomorrow. To get to the construction site take the 403 west towards London, Ont. Exit off Oak Park Road. Turn left and drive over 403. Construction site is immediately on the right hand side.

Boots Powless’ son was one of the young men targeted and arrested today.

Our people have upheld their words regarding maintaining peace. At no point have any of our people stepped out of the Kaiienarekowa. The developers and the police continuously escalate events by targeting our children, women (mothers and grandmothers) and men. There is a consistent effort to attack our women and children to protect the finances of local and international corporations.

Just like the targeting of our people and constant attacks by fully armed civil servants continue, we, as ogwohwe will continue to uphold our great-great grandchildren’s right to exist.

We are justified.

Janie Jamieson
Grand River Country

Arrests spark Six Nations blockade in Caledonia

Arrests spark tension in Caledonia

Natives, residents take turns erecting blockades

September 02, 2008
Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
With files from Elisabeth Johns
CALEDONIA

The arrest of a prominent Six Nations spokesperson and two others in Brantford triggered a chain reaction of events yesterday that led to parts of Caledonia being shut down for hours.

The event is the latest in a series flareups since the occupation of the former Douglas estates 2 1/12 Years ago.

The blockades started yesterday around 9 a.m. when Six Nations protesters set up barricades on Argyle Street South and blocked the Highway 6 bypass.

After the barricades were removed, angry Caledonia residents refused to let traffic resume on Argyle Street South. The bypass was open sometime during the afternoon, but Argyle was not fully open to traffic until nearly 6 p.m., after a brief standoff between residents and about 50 OPP officers.

“I cannot stress enough our priority is to preserve the peace and maintain order, not to resolve land claims issues,” OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said in a statement.

Yesterday morning, Stephen Powless, 43, and two teens were arrested in Brantford for allegedly being on the construction site at the Hampton Inn on Fen Ridge Court, next to the Kingspan Insulated Panels development site from which they are barred.

Kingspan, the Ireland-based company, is building its North American head office and a factory on the property.

Powless has been the spokesperson for the Brantford actions.

Police said the trio are under a court order to stay away from the land and were all charged with breach of a court order and mischief.

Clyde Powless, a spokesperson for Six Nations, said the arrests were a “catalyst” for the blockades, but that the community is also frustrated by the slow pace of land claim negations with the provincial and federal governments.

“Our fight is not with this town, (nor) is it with Brantford or any other town within our (Haldimand) Tract,” he said of the 10 kilometres on either side of the Grand River to which the natives lay claim.

“Our fight is with the government and that is where it will remain, with the government at the negotiating table.”

Powless said Six Nations leaders were working hard to keep the community calm.

In response to the Six Nations blockades, frustrated Caledonia residents gathered on Argyle about a half kilometre from the former DCE site.

“Something happen(ed) in another town and we get held hostage again,” shouted William Romberg, a resident for 12 years.

Residents were separated from the rest of the street by a single line of OPP officers spaced across the road.

In addition to the blockades, traffic was also slowed because of ongoing work on the town’s main bridge.

Progressive Conservative MPP Toby Barrett said Caledonia seems to have become “a whipping boy” for issues that have nothing to do with the town.

At one point, OPP met privately with Romberg and Caledonia resident Dana Chatwell, whose home abuts the DCE land.

Shortly after, police asked residents to leave the road. That was followed later with another request, an ultimatum and a stronger show of force by officers.

Residents complained police were being heavy-handed with their blockade, while not showing the same force to native actions.

Eventually, police and residents agreed to leave the road, with officers exiting first and residents following.

A young man from the residents’ side was arrested and has been charged with mischief and resisting arrest.

It’s alleged he ripped a native flag from the antenna of a car trying to cross the residents’ blockade.

Six Nations spokesperson Hazel Hill said a tentative date of Sept. 11 had been set to resume negotiations with the provincial and federal governments, but she had not received word if the meeting would go ahead.

Six Nations people shut down another Brantford development

Protesters shut down King and Benton site
Hampton Inn project put on notice

Posted By JOHN PAUL ZRONIK, EXPOSITOR STAFF
Brantford Expositor [Ontario]
Posted August 6, 2008

More than 30 Six Nations protesters shut down work on a $500-million industrial and commercial development on Oak Park Road Tuesday morning, saying environmental concerns must be addressed.

Protesters visited the King and Benton development site — formerly a gravel pit near the city’s northwest business park — at about 7 a. m., asking that work stop. They told company president Steve Charest they are concerned that PCBs and other contaminants on the site are being released into the environment because of the movement of soil, potentially contaminating a nearby aquifer that drains into the Grand River. Protesters also said the land was under claim by Six Nations.

“(Charest) said there would be no development on the site until an agreement is reached,” said protest spokesman Oron:ia Otsihstohkwa. “The Haudenosaunee will see he keeps his word.”

After attending the King and Benton site, protesters visited a nearby Hampton Inn hotel development on Fen Ridge Court, warning that the property owner has two days to talk with Six Nations or work will be shut down. Construction was taking place at the hotel site Tuesday.

No workers were on another nearby site, where Kingspan Insulation is constructing a new office and warehouse, that has been the subject of Six Nations protests.

The Hampton Inn and Kingspan are among a handful of sites subject to a temporary injunction won by the city in June that

prevents protesters from interfering with construction. The King and Benton project is not part of the injunction.

More than 50 people working on the King and Benton site Tuesday morning were sent home for the day.

Charest said workers won’t return to the site until Six Nations concerns are addressed. All will receive pay until that happens, he said.

The developer said he’s confident that environmental concerns will be dealt with.

“We welcome the opportunity to address those concerns,” Charest said. “We’re confident that through dialogue we can do that.”

Kanehsatake Mohawks barricaded Quebec highway following police intervention

Kanesatake Mohawks barricaded Quebec highway following police intervention

The Canadian Press
July 26, 2008

Kanesatake, Que. — Kanesatake Mohawks barricaded a Quebec highway early Saturday following an intervention by the Quebec provincial police.

Police say 12 to 15 individuals blocked Highway 344 near the town of Oka by dragging trees into the road and setting them on fire.

Police contacted the Mohawk band council, who convinced the individuals to end the blockade.

The road was cleared by Quebec Transport Ministry employees by 10 a.m..

Two police vehicles were damaged during the incident.

Charges are expected to be laid against a number of individuals involved in the barricade.

Six Nations people take aim at hotel project

Natives take aim at hotel project
‘They can work today, but that’s it’

Posted By SUSAN GAMBLE, EXPOSITOR STAFF
Brantford Expositor [Ontario]
July 19, 2008

Native protesters in the city’s north end moved down the road Friday morning.

They set up a large teepee at the edge of the Hampton Inn hotel site on Fen Ridge Court after successfully halting construction of the nearby Kingspan Insulation warehouse and headquarters.

“They can work today,” said one man about the construction on the six-storey hotel, “but that’s it. They were told by our chiefs a week and a half ago to stop and yet they continue to build.”

Workers on the Hampton site were pouring concrete and finished the day without incident.

About a dozen protesters continue to monitor the area, joined at times by others bearing coffee and fast food.

“We are 100 per cent backed by our people,” said one when asked about how much support for their action could be found on Six Nations.

Meanwhile, there are rumbles of concern among city councillors that Kingspan officials are re-examining plans to build in the city. There’s talk the Irish firm plans to pull out if the protesters are still around the site on Monday.

City Mayor Mike Hancock declined to speculate.

“I have no information on what Kingspan’s intentions are,” he said Friday afternoon.

Both projects are included in a temporary injunction granted to city to stop native protests from holding up development.

On Friday, natives at the Fen Ridge construction site were joined by Dawn Smith who, along with Janie Jamieson, started the protest more than two years ago that took over Caledonia’s Douglas Creek Estates.

“We sat down (to talk) with people for more than two months before making a move,” Smith said. “You might see just two people here or 200 people here but when the natives need to come together in unity, they will come.”

But there are cracks. Some Six Nations members have never publicly embraced the route of protest over negotiation.

David General, former band council chief, said he’s been fielding phone calls from people who are upset at the ongoing protests.

He tells them to take their concerns to the current council but he can’t help but express his feelings about where the occupation is leading.

“Support for the protest is not universal on the reserve,” General said.

“There’s no disputing there are outstanding issues of land claims and I think 100 per cent of Six Nations would support resolving them but people are trying to thwart development in order to hurry up the claims talks and it’s not going to work.”

“SETTLE THINGS”

General said he supports negotiations, which are on a summer break, but has made it plain he doesn’t support the Confederacy chiefs who have been given a lead mandate at the table.

“We have Ontario’s attention and Canada’s attention and the city’s attention: now turn it over to someone with the skills to settle things.”

Hancock has also been exposed to both sides of the debate through phone calls from natives and non-natives who decry the protesters and support them.

“People are upset about what’s going on and feel it’s bad for our relationship. I’m concerned about it. It certainly won’t make our relationship better.”

Six Nations community activist Lisa VanEvery showed up for protest July 7 but can’t see herself blocking a development on an ongoing basis.

“I don’t want Brantford to be another Caledonia, but the sit-in protest is a strategy that some people are using. I understand why they’re doing it because it’s the only way people are listening.”

That’s a common theme among natives: many don’t like the protest but they acknowledge that it’s the first technique that’s shown real results as far as stopping the ongoing development on land they consider to be theirs.

Historian and university professor Keith Jamieson said natives have tried negotiation, court actions and information sessions.

“The only thing that seems to have an impact is if we inconvenience others,” he said.

“I don’t necessarily agree with in-your- face protests, but they’re coming from the fact our people feel like no one is respecting us.”

Jamieson likened the situation to sitting at the negotiation table while someone is building a fence and erecting a shed in your backyard.

“It’s antagonistic.”

He’s calling for more creative thinking to end the impasse.

“I kind of like the developers’ proposal because at least it came at things from a different angle.”

On Fen Ridge Court, protesters said Friday they are angry about what they call intimidation tactics by a couple of teens the previous night. Two young men in a red truck turned into the court and burned rubber marks in the circle.

“When the truck started backing toward us,” said one man, “we jumped up and grabbed rocks. We’re not going to stand for it. Anyone caught doing these things here will be made an example of.”

Six Nations people block job site over land dispute

Natives block Ont. job site over land dispute

Glenn Lowson for National Post
Native protests over continuing construction in a Brantford industrial park escalated Monday morning with an arrest of a protester who allegedly blocked a truck from entering the construction site.

Craig Offman, National Post
Published: Monday, July 14, 2008

BRANTFORD, Ont. — Tensions over native land claims in Southern Ontario flared again Monday morning as a protester blocked a cement truck’s access to a building site and then allegedly assaulted a police officer.

The brief escalation of what had been a peaceful protest led officials in Brantford and Ottawa to draw analogies to Caledonia, a nearby city whose protracted land dispute has led to occasional, violent outbreaks and an economic downturn.

The disagreement in Brantford stems from plans to build an insulation factory and headquarters on land that is subject to a long-outstanding native land claim.

“I wouldn’t have thought [the comparison to Caledonia] was possible until today,” said Mayor Mike Hancock, adding that property settlement is a federal and provincial issue and that officials from both government ministries have been slow to respond. “We’re collateral damage in all of this, and we feel it.”

Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Michael Bryant Monday spoke with Mr. Hancock, and the provincial minister’s office said action is needed from his federal counterpart.

“We’re continuing to monitor the situation. The underlying issue here is a 200-year-old land claim against the federal government, so the federal government needs to accelerate the negotiations leading to a resolution of this issue,” said Greg Crone, Mr. Bryant’s press secretary.

The Six Nations claim ownership of the area as part of a historical treaty that they allege was not properly honoured. The local government received a temporary injunction in May that prohibits interference with development on the site — owned by Ireland-based Kingspan — and several other nearby properties.

Ron Doering, the chief federal negotiator on land claims issues, said he is discouraged that protesters have begun occupying the Brantford site and believes the standoff echoes what occurred at Douglas Creek Estates, in Caledonia, before the housing development was sold to the province.

“The Six Nations are the people we are dealing with with the various direct actions at Caledonia and we’re starting to see direct actions in Brantford right now, actually. So, it doesn’t have the potential [to become like Caledonia]; it’s actually happening,” Mr. Doering said Monday.

“We continue to believe that the best way to resolve these long-standing claims is to do it at the table. Clearly, the direct actions are not helpful in that regard, in my experience.”

The Brantford government also awaits a decision from Ontario Superior Court on whether the city can call on Canadian Forces in the event of mass unrest. It has also asked for $110-million in damages from native groups, citing economic impact. The Kingspan project was intended to bring 200 jobs to the area.

All legal recourse seemed distant, however, Monday morning.

According to police, officers were escorting two trucks to the site to remove some cement at around 8:30 a.m., when a man stood in front of the vehicles and disobeyed an officer’s request to stand down. During the process of his arrest, the man allegedly punched the officer in the face.

Police headquarters was notified about the events at 8:49 a.m. and dispatched additional staff to negotiate. Shortly after 9 a.m., the trucks again tried to enter the site when a crowd of 20 or so natives converged on a group of policemen.

“While attempting to stop the advancement of the protesters, one officer was struck in the face by a male at a time when his attention was focused on another protester advancing in the opposite direction,” said a police statement issued Monday afternoon.

“The assailant disappeared amongst the remaining protesters and fled the area through the adjacent bush.”

Six Nations observers say that the arrested man, whose identity has not been revealed, did not provoke the officer, but was confronted when he tried to talk to one of the drivers. As he was being pulled away, native witnesses said, his hand slipped, hitting the officer.

Donal Curtin, Kingspan’s general manager, said police told him to lock the gates outside the site and remain inside.

He said in a response to e-mailed questions Monday that workers trying to enter the area received death threats.

“On multiple occasions today, contractors working on the site or delivering material to the site, had their lives threatened,” he wrote. “These events have been reported to the Brantford Police. The people who made the threats were not arrested as far as I know.”

Police spokesmanKent Pottruff said he did not have specific details of those allegations, but that potential criminal activity would be investigated.

By Monday afternoon, several pick-up trucks were parked around the mouth of the site. Six Nations flags flapped in the wind, while about six police cars lingered on the margins.

“This is war,” said Steve Powless, a spokesman for the Six Nations protesters, standing outside the fence of the Kingspan site, outside of which there were two canvas tents and a teepee where about a dozen natives had been sleeping over the weekend. “I’m a solider. I’m here to fight.”

“These people should go home and leave our land alone,” added Mr. Powless, a sculptor who lives on the nearby reserve, by some estimates the most populous in the country.

He said that the group would remain at the site indefinitely.

Another native, who refused to give his name, insisted that his people were protecting their own land, not protesting the use of it. “This is not going to stop until the federal government steps and solves these land issues,” he said. “They’re patenting deeds here they haven’t paid for.”

Ignoring injunction, Six Nations people stop work at development sites

‘Today is the first day of taking back our territory’
Ignoring injunction, native protesters stop work at development sites

BY SUSAN GAMBLE, EXPOSITOR STAFF; THE BRANTFORD EXPOSITOR [Ontario]
July 8, 2008

Brian Thompson A representative of STM Construction (right) tries to stop native protesters Monday morning from taking down a locked gate at the Fen Ridge Court construction site for the Kingspan Insulation industrial plant and headquarters.

Natives ignored a court injunction Monday by marching onto development sites across the city.

Construction was halted at five projects as about 150 native protesters burst onto dusty work sites and ordered employees to shut down equipment.

“Our people have been patient and today our patience has run out,” said Seneca sub-chief Butch Thomas.

“Any new development in this area or on our land has got to stop. Today is the first day of taking back our territory.”

Mayor Mike Hancock wasn’t happy with the turn of events.

“We’re very disappointed that the demonstrations have started again,” he said prior to

Monday’s council meeting.

“Our legal counsel is advising the city to take immediate steps to enforce the court injunction,” he told Expositor reporter Cheryl Bauslaugh.

However, Hancock stopped short of saying what those steps should be.

Coun. John Sless said the demonstrators can’t be allowed to ignore the injunction.

“There are ramifications to breaking a law,” he said. “It’s unfortunate but it has to be dealt with.”

Monday’s rolling protest was largely peaceful, with natives calling, “Have a good day off!” to departing workers.

But there was underlying anger, too. Female protesters called out sharply to bricklayers who opted to finish an area of work before putting down their trowels at the partially done Hampton Inn site on Fen Ridge Court, in the city’s northwest area.

When the protesters moved along Fen Ridge Court to the construction site for Kingspan Insulation’s new headquarters and industrial plant, they found all the workers, their cars and equipment were behind a locked eight-foot metal fence.

“We can put you down if we have to,” yelled one native, as several Confederacy chiefs argued with a site official, insisting he open the gate and stop work.

When the worker refused, saying the land belonged to the developers, several natives simply lifted a portion of the metal fence out of its moorings and swung it out like a garden gate. When it toppled, the natives walked over it and swarmed over the enormous property, ranging out to where huge earth-movers were operating and insisting the work stop.

At each site, the protesters waited patiently for the workers to shut down equipment, pack up their tools and move out of the area, often waving goodbye.

It’s the first time that Confederacy chiefs, such as Allen MacNaughton, Ron Thomas and Butch Thomas, have publicly supported the land protesters.

One woman suggested the chiefs had been urged to make a stand by the Six Nations clanmothers.

The chiefs were joined by several clanmothers, Mohawk members and one elected band councillor — Melba Thomas — in a crowd that at times may have numbered more than 200.

“This is to show the support of the chiefs,” said MacNaughton.

“The city has accelerated things to hurry and cover up our land. They’ve interfered with our people’s rights to free speech and tried to silence our voices.”

At the first two sites visited, city police Insp. Scott Easto was clear in telling the natives they were breaking, not only the city bylaw against protests at those sites, but the temporary court injunction against the action.

“You’re breaking the law,” Easto said several times. “You’re breaking the injunction.”

Later, Easto said the protesters had been clearly notified their actions were illegal.

While protesters like Floyd and Ruby Montour, who were named specifically in the injunction, remained on the road, outside of the actual work sites, Easto said it didn’t matter.

“The injunction names a number of people but it also names Jane and John Doe, which covers everyone. These people are breaking the law.”

No arrests were made.

Ruby Montour was clearly worried that she might have been arrested if she went onto the disputed sites.

“I’m a surety for someone so I can’t afford to get charged,” said Montour, noting she was pleased at the turnout.

“We only did this in one day. There’d be more if we had the time.”

The protest was called during a Saturday afternoon Confederacy meeting and the plan was spread by word of mouth.

Several of the chiefs and bench-warmers, as chiefs in waiting are called, wearing their ceremonial headdresses, posed for pictures with one of the injunction signs warning against protesting at the site.

Grandmothers, wearing ribbon dresses and sandals and carrying umbrellas to protect them from the sun, wandered around the earth-moving machines on the construction sites. Several small children were also in the group.

In the afternoon, the rolling protest moved to the city’s southwest area where work was stopped on a retirement village on Diana Avenue, off Shellard Lane.

Site manager Terry Donovan talked peacefully with the natives, explaining that communication was the most important thing to keep the peace.

“It’s the governments that need to address this problem,” Donovan said. “We’re just innocent bystanders.”

“They’re hanging you out to dry,” agreed Butch Thomas.

Ron Thomas said the natives do not respect the courts the city is relying on for its injunction.

“The city of Brantford and the people of Brantford don’t know how deeply they have hurt the Six Nations people. They have grieved us.”

Thomas said that some natives feel so alienated they are now opting not to shop in Brantford.

He acknowledged the workers who peacefully stopped their tasks at each site and the police officers who worked to ensure everyone remained peaceful.

After stopping work at the Bell Lane Retirement Village on Diana, which is south of the new Wyndfield Community Church, some protesters also went to stop grading equipment moving in the site to the north of the church building.

Then the natives moved down the road to Conklin and Shellard Lane where a housing subdivision is going in.

A last stop was made at Birkett Lane and Erie Avenue where the city was expected to be working on servicing the site for a 99-house subdivision.

But with no workers on the site, the group’s attention turned to a home that was being demolished between Erie Avenue and Mohawk Street and stopped the work.

Six Nations man arrested and charged over blockade

NATIVE PROTESTER CHARGED

Toronto Sun
July 18, 2008

CAYUGA — A 25-year-old aboriginal protester was arrested yesterday for actions that allegedly occurred during a highway blockade in Caledonia in April.

Skyler Williams of Ohsweken, Ont., has been charged with breach of probation and breach of recognizance. Provincial police declined to comment on what led to Williams’ arrest.