All that is solid melts...

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The aspect which is ironic and sad is that the people who are experiencing some of these problems first are the people who have effectively no responsibility for the increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

- Doctor Richard Taylor

As i sit here folding pamphlets and making buttons, one of my favourite things to listen to is CBC’s Quirks and Quarks science show. The above quote comes from the May 20th segment, where host Bob McDonald talked to Dr. Richard Taylor (a lecturer in physical geography at University College London) about the disappearing glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda. According to Taylor global warming is "the only key parameter... that could explain the changes in the glacial cover."

He notes that the glaciers are of the utmost importance for the indigenous Bakonzo people; in his words "it is the center of their belief system".

As Kahentinetha Horn has pointed out, “The natural world is not respected in colonial society the way it is in ours where we learn favorable lesson from every type of creature. 25% of the species on the planet are extinct now. We had something to learn from each of them that we will never now learn.”

How much reparations will make up for destroying the entire ecosystem?

Or as Gil Scott Heron asked, “Who’ll pay reparations on my soul?” (can you believe that i couldn’t find the lyrics for this online?!?!?)

(you can listen to the mp3 of this Quirks and Quarks segment here)

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[Reclamation Site] Second June 1st Update from Hazel Hill

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just a quick update from grand river.

today, judge marshall probably surprised everyone, including me!  well, at least a bit.  i was certain there was going to be an ultimatum tied to whatever he did today, but unless i am hearing it wrong, he did quite well by giving the responsibility back to the federal government.  his rulings today, were that he asked the prime minister of indian affairs mr. prentice, as well as the attorney general to attend the june 16th court date, he has given two weeks of preparation time for this.

as far as i know, no new arrest warrants were issued, and the outstanding arrests are the original charges laid against our people from the day that we were attacked.  when the henco and hagersville lawyers kept insisting that the opp be ordered to enforce the injunctions, marshall indicated that the negotiation process will be given the necessary time in resolving this.

there was definitely a build up of police in the area, and the answer to our enquiry was that because the June 1st weekend is an annual caledonia town yard sale, and the opp had been informed that the  instigators" may be back trying to incite trouble, they have beefed up their security to be prepared.  while some of you (cause i did it too) are saying, yeah right! we believe that one!  perhaps given the results of the court hearing today, it lends to the possiblity that there is truth in that statement.

for those on the site, the day was a bit intense.  for those of us who waited at home and near the phone, the day was just as intense.  thanks to all of the men and women who are working so hard at the reclamation site, as well as all the supporters out there!  i know it isn't said often enough but you are all deserving of both fists up high in the air with a big whooooo and a nya weh gowah!

keep the peace and stay strong!

hazel

Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation

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[Reclamation Site] June 1st Update from Hazel Hill

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Just in my mailbox (please note that i have reformatted this adding paragraph breaks):
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Good Morning from Grand River.

When I woke up this morning all I could see was the fog and dampness that surrounded everything.  Kind of echoed my mood of impending doom.  My thoughts were along the lines of "what are they up to?"

For the past week since the deadline of May 31st kept creeping closer, my heart became heavier and my mind could not escape the thoughts of the government and their continued use of force against our people when they are placed in a situation of having to tell the world the truth, or continue on their path of assimilation and genocide.

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Then I hear that judge marshall has ordered a hearing of all parties concerned with what they call "douglas creek" .  He wants to know WHY no one is enforcing his ruling and listening to him and his law.  Apparently the rail line got an injunction on May 4th to have the barricade that we have on the rail line removed, and marshall wants to know why they opp haven't taken action on that, and of course why they haven't taken action on the original 3 injunctions to have us removed from the land reclamation site.  By the way it is now being call Kanenhstaton (the protected place)   To my knowledge, none of our people have any intention of going to this hearing.  How could we?  I was asked so many times yesterday by news reporters of what I thought of what marshall was saying and was I going to the hearing.  My response was "I cannot accede jurisdiction to another government or another law".  They wanted to know what that meant, "does that mean you're not going?"  I just repeated my words and told them it means what it means. I think they got the picture.

Many people are talking about going to the court house, and not going into court, but standing together outside, as if to say, "we're here, but we're telling you that you don't have the authority to enforce your laws upon us". It would be a subtle attempt to slap in the face so to speak.  Anyway, the message will be loud and clear either way.


This morning has been a struggle to say the least!   This is my third attempt at getting this up-date out.  I would get so far, and each time my computer would all of a sudden black out and shut down.  I was warned that one of our "supporters" could be working for the government and has sent out these viruses to crash all of our computers.  Not too far fetched when you think of how the computer has been able to connect all of our people from coast to coast in solidarity and support for us here.  This little instrument has been the key to getting the message out to all of our brothers and sisters across the world so it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they have master minded yet again another strategy to shut us up.  SOOOO, watch what you open.  Can't say as I know where it is coming from or even if it is true, just an awareness to share.

Anyway, as I was typing this morning and feeling nothing but despair and worry, all of a sudden I felt this light from my peripheral vision first, and then I could feel it on my face.  I was sitting next to a sliding glass door that opens to the east, and when I looked out, I could see the sun slowly peeking its way through those clouds.  Then I was reminded that everything was ok.  We have yet another day.  A new beginning.  It's like a message coming through those dark clouds that we are not alone.  The Creator is watching and there is a plan in place even if we don't know what it is. As long as we all continue on the path that we are on.  Upholding the Law, upholding the Peace, trusting and honouring Creation and continuing on together as ONE.  It's ok.

Sometimes I get so caught up in wondering what "they" are up to, I forget that our only responsibility is to the Creator. When we TRUST in the Creator, in ourselves and each other as Onkwehonweh, then it doesn't matter what they do.  I know in my heart that what we are doing is for the highest good of our people and no matter what, we have to continue.

As we talked around the fire and around the site last night, I had many people sharing different things.  One of which was a message this young man had received from his mother who has now passed on.  it was a simple but significant message at this time in our lives.  "the Creator is coming".  A few of us talked about prophecies we had heard, and while I'm not sure of the exact wording of the prophecy, I remember hearing the Hopi prophecy where they talk about a time when we would reach a crossroad. Where the Onkwehonweh will have to choose.  We either go back to the earth, our roots, and learn to live from the earth and all that she provides for us, or continue on the path of money and power, the latter of which will eventually lead to that next war.

When I first heard that prophecy probably 10 years ago, I thought "yeah right" we're all gonna die cause no one is going to give up that dollar.  It is easy to see now how wrong I was.  Our people have come together in peace and solidarity, not because we see a financial gain in what we are doing, but we have come together to protect the land.  The very essence of our beings and for the good of our future. For the unborn children.  We ARE doing what we have been instructed to do. Not from any individual but from the spirit within.  So, for that, this morning I am grateful,  my heart is now uplifted again and I can look to today with anticipation.


Yesterday was a good day.  If you caught the news, our people went up the Brantford Charity Casino to hand out flyers and remind the Crown that, that land that the Casino is on is our land too.  That the haldimand tract runs from its' mouth to its source six miles on either side and that Brantford was told before they even began any construction there that the Six Nations maintain that as unceded territory.

Naturally the press wanted to know if we were saying that we should have a share in the revenues from the casino. I told them that we were not there because of the money.  We were there to make a point.  To educate the Canadian people that the land was ours and that the unceded territory is not just the one little piece that we have reclaimed near 'caledonia'.

It was also set up yesterday because our delegates were back at the table with the crowns representatives from the feds and prov beginning the talks.  You probably all have heard by now that Peterson is trying to go back on the agreement that was reached to get the first barricade down.  He is trying to say that the Burtch property was only being returned if all three barricades came down.

This happened at a meeting with him on Monday, and our delegates basically told him to go home and do some research because that is not the agreement that we made and that is not the understanding of our people.  So during yesterdays talks with Jane Stewart and this new guy Ron Doering  (he was sitting in for Barbara McDougall);  Allen McNaughton read a statement to them that basically said "the actions of the government of Ontario in the negotiations of a peaceful resolution to the land right issues within Six Nations territory are dishonorable".  He reminded them of the agreement that had been reached and that apparently David Peterson has no authority to resolve the issue, and that his actions does not bode well for the re-establishment of our relations.  Good job delegates!  He reminded them as well that we have a relationship with our Chiefs and delegates based on trust and respect, and if their (the government's) actions cause the people to question the honor of our Chiefs/Delegates, then the people will take matters into their own hands.  I hope they got the message.



There has been a lot of concern as well about this letter that is circulating from the "Mohawk Nation of Grand River" signed by Edwin S. Hill (Ted Squire) for those who don't know.  This was brought to the fire on Monday because it is believed that this letter has reached the government officials and could jeopardize the talks and progress that we have made as Onkwehonweh.

While we all know and understand that one clan cannot speak for a nation and that there is a process within our law to deal with any problem that arises, this letter that is circulating basically means nothing.  It is only paper.  It is not the law.  For those "Mohawks" of the Orreregowah Clan, it is up to you to address these people who have put this letter out.  To my knowledge, there has been no Mohawk Nation meeting called to invite ALL Mohawks of all the territories to send out any such correspondence, and again, it is just an attempt to discredit the people who sit at the discussion table on our behalf.  I have continually tried to remind people, including some of those who support this letter, that it doesn't matter who is sitting at the table, they carry the voice of our people, and we are the one's who are making the decisions.  For some of our people, they have no problem trusting that.  For others, for reasons known only to them, they chose to undermine and try to destroy what is good.  It seems these people feel threatened by the fact that Allen MacNaughton is sitting at the table.  They bring forward these papers to indicate somehow that he is not a chief etc., etc.  we have been hearing this for over 20 years.

From what I know Allen and his mother were condoled through the longhouse.  Given that, if there is a problem with him, it is his clan that must deal with it.  Not the orreregowah wolf clan, and not the rest of the confederacy.  There is a process and protocol that must be followed within the teachings and the Law, and as far as I know, this has never been done. So, my advice to everyone, is as I said, it means nothing.  It's only paper. (remember, even Pope John Paul II the crowns former spiritual advisor, reminded the world that "it's not the law, it's only paper). He knew that the crowns laws were only created to undermine the True Law of the Land , the Kaierenekwah.  This letter is no different.

As far as the damage that might have been done to our position with 'negotiations' and the land reclamation; the other government that they send their correspondence to has nothing to do with the internal politics and structure of our house.  We know that we have to work hard to re-build our house, but it is not for their government to interfere.  The people have sent our delegates there in good faith, and we will continue to support them.

Anyone who has a concern of any matter with respect to what we are doing and the decisions that are being made, are welcome to join us at the fire.  Alan, Jock, Joe and the rest of them, have been fulfilling their obligations to the people by carrying our voices forward.  They have not made any agreements without coming back to the fire and I believe that they will continue with the process that was given to us.

It appears that many people want to throw a monkey wrench into what we are doing rather than joining us and working together.  Remember, the Law when it was given was for all Onkwehonweh, and the original league of nations, our confederacy was symbolically tied together with those bundle of arrows.  Take one arrow out and try to stand alone it is easily defeated.  Keeping them bound together it cannot be broken.  Not only that, we have called on all of the Onkwehonweh Nations of the World to join us in upholding our Law and upholding the Peace.  We are proceeding together as ONE, and we are continuing, regardless of the attempts of a few.  To me, it doesn't matter who you are.  My understanding of that peace and that tree is those four white roots reach out in the four directions. Anyone who chooses to take solace under that tree and live according to the Law of Creation, can take shelter and live as indicated. If I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me.


Next meeting with the delegates is scheduled for Friday.  As soon as I know what marshall has up his sleeve with the hearing today, I will let everyone know.  It is no good to live in fear and wonder if he is going to send in the army and opp.  it is for us to be prepared all across the world, if they so chose to act irresponsibly, then we will remind them that Six Nations is not alone.

Have a good day, keep the peace and stay strong!

hazel

Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation

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Canada Pedaling Backwards: Peterson Declares War on Six Nations

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It makes me wince when progressive people refer to “Bilderbergers” and the like… as if capitalism were a personal conspiracy rather than a historically developed system, but other than that the following by Kahentinetha Horn is definitely worth reading and forwarding:

MNN. May 31 2006. The talks between Six Nations and Ontario have stalemated. So what else is new? Never mind the Supreme Court of Canada has determined that Canada has a duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous people and that differences should be resolved by negotiation. Never mind that this position is backed by international law. Never mind that Indigenous relations with the British are founded on a nation-to-nation basis. Never mind that Peterson has not consulted the Canadian people and that polls say the majority support us - this is despite massive public misinformation in the education system, disinformation campaigns conducted overtly by the Canadian government and deliberate suppression of the facts in the corporate media. Anyone with any sense can see that we have a valid claim. Peterson has decided to ignore all this. "It's my way or the highway", according to him.

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This is an emergency.

The Canadian authorities have always refused to deal with us legally, on a nation-to-nation basis, the way the British did. Canadian officials want to keep the colonization process going. That's why land claims have always been stalled.

Simply put, they stole our land and don't want to give it back. David Peterson suffered a lapse of honor, if he ever had any. He decided not to recognize that the Six Nations people are the rightful owners of the "Burtch Lands". He's even forgotten the moratorium on construction. Sucking his thumb and straightening out his beanie with the propeller on it, he cried, "Wah-wah! I want three barricades taken down instead of one". The Six Nations people already carried out our part of the deal and opened up Argyle Street in Caledonia. So what happens now? Peterson isn't the only one having a fit of the terrible two's.

Nearsighted judge, Michael Marshall, who gave those illegal injunctions on March 17th, is also having a temper tantrum. This man is dangerous. He's sitting on the side but it was his "legal" invention that sparked the powder keg and set off all the subsequent violence. He demanded at that time that ALL the barricades must come down immediately and that the Indigenous people go home [even though we are at home on our reclaimed land]. Marshall's "off with their heads" injunction also threatened that anyone found back in the reclaimed area would be arrested, fingerprinted, released and placed on probation. If they boomeranged back, they would be arrested and receive 30 days of free room and board. He has ordered everybody to come to his June 1st "hanging" party. "Boo-hoo! Why weren't my orders followed immediately?" he pouted and stomped his foot petulantly.

Then former OPP [Ontario Provincial Premier] Petersen stalled, coughed, hurmpht and blinked his eyes, "Well, I've changed my little mind and decided that a promise is not a promise when you make it to an Indian". At the same time, if the Six Nations people don't attend the court party, allow themselves to be arrested and remove all their barricades, they're going to have hissy fit and escalate the violence.
Judge Marshall is hysterical because he owns land on the Haldimand Tract. At the beginning the Six Nations People had demanded that he take himself off the case because he was in a classic position of conflict of interest, sitting on a case that involves his personal economic interest. This one-horse judge and his rinky-dink kangaroo court have no jurisdiction in this issue. This is an international matter. Britain was dealing with us on a nation-to-nation basis.

General Haldimand promised to protect us on the Grand River territory forever. We never relinquished our sovereignty or our right to make the law on our own land and for our own people. Haldimand understood this deal. Some of the successors don't. As Deskahe pointed out in the 1920's Britain could not give Canada more than it had to give. Canada doesn't own us or our sovereignty. Michael Marshall doesn't have jurisdiction to dictate what happens to us on our land. Colonial courts have been covertly supporting squatters and other illegal invaders for over 200 years. They committed an illegal invasion on sovereign Six Nations territory.

They want to take a giant step backwards into the 19th century. They want to bring in the armed forces with all their guns loaded and their minds loaded with racism. Marshall's silly injunction convicting all kinds of unnamed people for uncommitted offences had already seriously disrupted the peace in rural Caledonia. Just think what this wacko army assault may do. It could be the spark that ignites the powder keg of repressed emotions right across Canada. The Six Nations are not the only people who have suffered injustices at the hands of the colonial system.

People should stop worrying about the army coming in. Let them come in. Let us see what the rest of Turtle Island is going to do. Canadian officials like Peterson and Marshall are setting up a situation that could destabilize Canada. What Canada is doing is illegal. It's cruel. It's dangerous. It's corrupt.

The Canadian government has always been a greedy monster. Their citizens are onto them. We've been standing on our land for 92 days now. We are not leaving. We've come out of the shadow of colonialism and we're never going back. What, us worried? It is the outsiders who are worried.

We never challenged Canada and Ontario to bring in their armed forces on us. We always knew that this matter must be resolved politically on a nation-to-nation basis. Why wait for an inquiry? Why wait for another death like Dudley George at Ipperwash? Why another Gustafsen Lake? Why another Oka? The colonial occupiers do not respect the law and human rights and human life. The criminals in charge are the corporate bosses of Canada. Our land and resources belong to us and we intend to stop the theft. That's what we are saying.

If you send in your army, Canada, we will call out to all our friends and allies in Canada and the international community to come to our aid finally. Violence, illegal use of power, is how you have always conducted yourselves from the beginning. From our experience with you, we should not have expected any honor.

The courts and Parliament cannot resolve this. The people of Canada can. Your democracy is in need of an overhaul. Canada sending in the military will never make this issue go away. We have no place to go but to our home on Turtle Island. We have been threatened for 500 years to the point where merely 1% of our people survived the biggest holocaust in all humanity. These monsters continue to commit these crimes against our people. When are you going to end this?

You have to break this cycle. We ask many Canadians and Americans, "Why did you come here?" You came here to escape starvation, enslavement and death. Now you are here living on our land and you have created a system of enslavement, death and inequality. Most of you sit on the sidelines and even compromise yourselves by putting on a uniform to commit the crimes you ran away from. You're doing it to get a paycheck?

We don't need the rhetoric. We need people, communities and nations to start preparing yourselves to take whatever action is necessary should Canada use force against our people again. We don't accept your rules of the game, "It's my ball and my net and the game is over". Peterson and Marshall, get out of the playground quick!

The people responsible are not on the frontlines. They are the ones laughing all the way to the bank. They want to put the Indians "back in the cupboard" before that big Bilderberg meeting in Ottawa takes place on June 8th. These are 128 billionaires who are running the globe converging on Ottawa! What does that tell you?

Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News

Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation

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Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Cadres Implicated in Reactionary Violence Against Prostitutes

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As readers of this blog may know, one of the international struggles that i have been interested in has been that of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) against the despotic monarchy in that country. I have been especially curious about the role and relationship of women to this struggle, as reports from various sources have indicated that there is a self-consciously anti-patriarchal dimension to many women’s involvement with the CPN(M). Most notably, two texts by Comrade Parvati – one of the few women on the CPN(M)’s central committee – were like shots of fresh air when first read them, full of insights and analysis which was far more advanced than most of what i read coming from the left internationally or here in North America.

(These texts, for those who are interested: Women’s Leadership and the Revolution in Nepal and an Interview with Parvati from People’s March which is currently down but is normally up here.)

Back in March i wrote a summary of what i knew about what was happening in Nepal, and with the CPN(M) specifically. I saw both good and bad possibilities, but was optimistic. Nevertheless, i did note that the Maoists’ attitude towards sex – specifically polygamy and homosexuality – was worrisome. Even in a situation where male polygamy can be a real and serious mechanism by which women are exploited, i was uncomfortable with the Maoist “solution” which often amounted to forcing the “second wife” to leave the marriage.

A recent report by the Jagaran Media Center – an association of journalists from the most-oppressed Dalit (or “untouchable”) caste – sends up more warning flares that simplistic, mechanistic, reactionary and authoritarian attitudes regarding sex and anti-patriarchal struggle may become a serious problem. In this report – Badi Women Beaten by Maoists – the JMC provides a detailed account of a mixed (male/female) group of CPN(M) members singling out women thought to be engaged in prostitution and viciously beating them with wooden sticks.
Not only did the women obviously suffer the beating, but now (as they are no longer working as prostitutes seeing as they probably don’t want to get punished by their “liberators” again) they face starvation. As one of the women, Gomati Nepali, has asked, “How will we feed ourselves if we are not provided with alternate occupation? After we are beaten, we have stopped doing Pesha [sex work] but this has made us slave begging in different villages. No one even gives a hand of rice while begging.”

This action was clearly taken as part of the CPN(M) cadres’ struggle “against prostitution”, but whether this is an isolated incident or not i do not know. (The report notes that non-Dalit prostitutes in the area have not been molested.) Regardless: it should be spoken about and discussed and condemned and – as the JMC suggests – the CPN(M) “should apologize with these Badi Women publicly for this mishap and take strong action against the perpetrators.”

On top of that, and of relevance to those of us who do not live in Nepal and are not in contact with the CPN(M), this kind of misogynist abuse should call attention to the problem in anti-prostitution ideology and campaigns which rely on people who are not prostitutes to formulate tactics, strategies and goals. The left has a very uneven history, and no consistent position, on this complicated and not-at-all monolithic question. Chances are that even in a global revolution (and we ain’t nowhere near there yet!) different communities and peoples, not to mention people and communities of different genders, will approach and deal with this question in different ways.

Nevertheless, diversity does not mean “anything goes”, and it is not only feasible but is also necessary to establish what constitutes a coherent “left” or liberatory approach to prostitution, and what is incoherent, meaning what kinds of approaches end up making things worst for the oppressed.

Clearly, anti-prostitution campaigns which rely on attacking – either violently or by “softer” means – the prostitutes themselves should be rejected and condemned out of hand. Such positions should not be accepted as “one of many” possible approaches to sex work.

Not only are such campaigns reactionary, they have an innate tendency to veer into broader forms of misogynist (and homophobic and even more especially transphobic) violence. The JMC report notes that some of the women who were beaten were not even prostitutes, but they were nevertheless singled out, presumably because somebody had accused them of engaging in sex work.

Now just think: in a patriarchal context, what kind of woman gets accused of being a whore? The same kind who gets accused of being a “slut” or a “bitch” or “unclean”… i.e. any woman who in reality or in somebody’s (normally some man’s) fantasy has broken the rules and needs to be disciplined. It is in this way that anti-prostitute campaigns (which are often but certainly not always the same as organizing against prostitution) can lead to strategic setbacks not only for sex workers but for all women and anyone else who is oppressed by patriarchy.

Enough of the blablabla. The JMC E-Bulletin #17 (May 30 2006) can be read on the International Nepal Solidarity Network website; the relevant section i am reposting here:

Badi Women Beaten by Maoists

1. Background:

Nepali people had to bear lots of problems during the 10 years long armed conflict. Maoist rebels used armed weapons, which up to some extent affected feudal society. But in the name of challenging traditions and old social customs, they have several times violated human rights. For instance, Maoist Cadres have recently beaten 16 women of Badi Community this 10 of May 2006.

After the royal takeover of 1st February 2005, the political scenario of the country was totally disrupted. Maoists and Seven Party Alliance then came in understanding and brought about 12 points understanding. People's Movement 2006 made King move steps back and House of Representative (HoR) was reinstated. A result of this historic achievement, country is now in the path of constituent assembly and there is seize fire declared from both the parties.

Maoists who have declared that they would respect human rights have once again violated the human rights. 30 households of Badi of Mudha, Kaliali were involved in forceful prostitution as they do not have any other alternate occupation to live their live for. Civil society and local organizations of Badis itself are working to end this occupation and for their rehabilitation but the state never supported them and brought about any special programs for their rehabilitation. Finally, this community has to rely in this occupation only. But in the 10 May '06, 8 Maoists came to village and beat the 16 women out of which 13 were involved in Pesha (the forceful sexual occupation in local language is called 'Pesha') and other 3 were not involved in Pesha. This should not be forgotten that Maoists were quiet in the incident when few guys of 'Shahi' surname were there in Mudha and burnt the house and hand of a woman when she asked for money of her occupation.

2. Place of incident:

Dododhara VDC – 7, Mudha, Kailali (Beneath tree of Simal)

3. Date and time of incident:

10 May 2006 at 16:30 hours

4. Victims of the incident:

1. Meenu Nepali - 20 years
2. Man Kumari Nepali - 20 years
3. Sarita Nepali - 32 years
4. Goma Nepali - 28 years
5. Sushma Nepali - 23 years
6. Sanchi Nepali - 22 years
7. Suk Maya Nepali - 23 years
8. Manju Nepali - 21 years
9. Sani Nepali - 32 years
10. Gomati Nepali - 36 years
11. Juthi Nepali - 40 years
12. Bhawisara Nepali - 41 years
13. Hira Nepali - 24 years
14. Butti Nepali - 26 years
15. Ramkali Nepali - 35 years
16. Reeta Nepali - 40 years

5. Perpetrators:

8 Cadres of CPN (Maoists), including Com. Tufaan and other 4 males and 3 females.

Area Incharge of the area is Com. Kasam and Com. Anu looks after this village, Mudha.

6. Modes of beating:

Sticks, boxes and kicks.

7. Details of the incident:

8 Maoists beat the 16 women of Badi community living in the Mudha Bazar of Kalilali district. The victims were not even given water to drink when they asked while they were severely beaten by the Maoists.

At 4:30 pm, 8 Maoists came to the Mudha Bazar and ordered all the women who are engaged in Pesha, to stand in a line beneath the Simal Tree. They were then beaten with the wooden sticks. 41 years old Bhawisara Nepali said, "I am woman with husband and children; I am never engaged in Pesha, but they did not spare me." All the victim women said that they requested to not beat them in hands to the women who have put Norplant (a medicine for family planning which is kept in arms) but Maoists hit in the same place more badly.

All the 16 women said jointly that they were not even given water to drink when they asked. Maoists threatened them by saying that they may die if they are given water to drink while being beaten.

As per the saying of victims and seeing nature of wounds, it can be easily assumed that they were wounded in sensitive organs as well. Meenu Nepali and Manju Nepali further said that if it was possible to show, we would show you but ……….. Even after the 10 days of the incident, there were clear sign of black spots at the back, arm and leg of the victims.

The incident took place in the presence of non-Dalits neighbors but none were there to speak in favor of those victims. Local resident Dinesh Nepali (Badi) said that the ex-teacher Purna Bahadur Thapa threatened that if this incident will be revealed to Human Rights defenders and journalists, it will be danger for all of you as well them and also we will snatch the cameras, pens or whatsoever they bring along with them.

Victim Gomati Nepali said, "This country has not yet made us its citizen; how can we think of rehabilitation. Due to our caste, we are always socially boycotted. Still, we are not able to touch and use the water-tap used by non-Dalits. We always had this problem with us and even Maoists have added one more, beating us like animals. How will we feed ourselves if we are not provided with alternate occupation? After we are beaten, we have stopped doing Pesha but this has made us slave begging in different villages. No one even gives a hand of rice while begging. Our livelihood management should be now done by Maoists."

Out of the total 16 victims, 13 treated themselves in Tikapur while other 3, Butti Nepali, Ramkali Nepali and Reeta Nepali did not medicate.

8. Eyewitness of the incident:

i. Hikmat Nepali:

We have our sisters in the Syaule Bazar of Kailali also. They are also engaged in Pesha. The Maoists of that area used to visit them everyday, counsel them and requested them to leave Pesha. But here, 8 Maoists came all of sudden at 4:30 in 10 of May and told to gather those females who are engaged in Pesha and started beating them with sticks, kicks and boxes. When asked for water to drink, water was not given. Some sisters who are not engaged in the Pesha were also hit, even they were not spared. It is matter of great insult to us that the male Maoists kicked our sisters in their sensitive organs in front of us. Our sisters were not given the level of human beings.

ii. Dinesh Nepali:

This incident took place because of these villagers. Otherwise, no one was beaten in this area till this date. All of them were beaten all of sudden. They were beaten in 10th May and today after 10 days, there is still the sign of wounds. Who will be responsible for their treatment and their alternate occupation to live life for? This is to be publicized as soon as possible. We youths will work for our sisters to leave this occupation.

9. Uma Devi Badi – President, Community Assistance Committee, Tikapur, Kaliali:

We condemn this activity of Maoists. No one has right to beat human beings as animals. It would rather be a good step if all of us join hands together for their rehabilitation from this Pesha. It is not maturity to use power to tell them to leave Pesha until there is any alternate occupation for them. Our organization is ready to lead those victim women if they want to raise their voices. We will protest against such type of inhumane activity. If we talk about Kailali district alone, women from other castes are also involved in this type of Pesha but in good hotels. No one uses their power to stop them and our sisters have no other occupation then this and they are beaten instead. It is good to make women leave this Pesha and our organization is also working since a long time for the same.

10. Perpetrator – Com. Tufaan:

We several times circulated the notice to not continue this occupation. Area In charge Com. Kasam and Com. Anu who is responsible for this area have several times suggested these Badis to leave Pesha but they never agreed and finally we had to beat them. I agree that it was me along with other 7 comrades beat them. This action from our party is for their goodwill. They got hands and legs which work; they should be able to choose alternate occupation themselves for their livelihood.

11. Current situation of victims:

No one was ready to speak a word about the incident when this reporter was there to investigate. Exactly at the same time, 3 Maoists among those 8 came there to ask them to attend their program in nearby village the following day. This reporter then had a dialogue with these Maoists and asked them on which ground did they beat these women. Only then victims came in front and cried out their pains.

Wounds and sign of wounds can still be seen. They have completely left the Pesha from 11 of May and are now begging in different villages by forming groups. Victims say that they do not get anything from begging but are rather being insulted everywhere. There is always problem of hand to mouth. They say they are rather made 'Slaves' now.

12. Conclusion:

Dalits were sandwiched during the state of armed conflict. Now during the state of cease fire also, they are victimized. In the discriminatory social structure, Dalits are always victims and are always loaded with problems.

Having seen the nature of incident, Dalits are brutally beaten and their human rights violated. Sanchi Nepali, who was pregnant of 4 months, has also not been spared and was beaten severely. Nepali people are now not ready to accept the same old way of treating and taking action against them when there is law and order in the country now. It is illegality of Maoists who call themselves people oriented organization and don't allow people to drink water while beating them. Maoists should apologize with these Badi Women publicly for this mishap and take strong action against the perpetrators.

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[Montreal] June 2nd Benefit Show in Solidarity with Six Nations!

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Friday June 2nd, 8pm

Toc Toc Café 6091 Parc/ Van Horne

Metro Outremont

Featuring:

FBI Jedeyez

CAB

Lisa Hoffman

Suggested donation: 5-10$

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The struggle against the theft of Six Nations land continues! This fundraiser will help maintain the Six Nations peoples' efforts in their land reclamation. They have been occupying since March 3rd 2006 a construction site on their land ( on the Haldimand Tract) where the company Henco is trying to build an enormous 71-lot subdivision, “The Douglas Creek Estates.”
"Six Nations" refers to the six nations that are part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy: Gayogoho:no (Cayuga), Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk), Onyota’a:ka (Oneida), Onoda’gega (Onondaga), Onodowahgah (Seneca), and Ska-ru-ren (Tuscarora). The traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy crosses the colonial US/Canada border, including parts of “Ontario”, “Quebec”, “Pennsylvania”, “Ohio”, “New York”, and “New Hampshire”.
There are many Rotin'oshon'ni communities. The Six Nations reserve is in the area known as southern “Ontario”, near the towns of Brantford, Caledonia, and Hagersville. Other Rotin'oshon'ni communities include Kanehsatà:ke, Kahnawake, Ganlengeh, Tonawanda, Allegany, Cattaragus, Akwesasne, Tyendinaga, and Gibson. There are also many Rotin'oshon'ni living outside these areas.
Since 1795 the Crown has continually stolen more and more land for occupation by settlers, sale to developers, and road construction. The area officially designated by the Canadian government as the Six Nations reserve is now less than 5% of the original area promised by the Crown in 1784.
On April 20, 2006 at around 4:30 AM, the camp was swarmed by police in cruisers and vans, using batons, tear gas cannons, and Tasers. The Police states that they arrested 16 people. The people resisted the invasion and managed to push the police back and hold the line. They need our support to maintain the resistance!

please spread the news widely, thank you!
For more information and to find out how you can show support contact the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement or check out the Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty website.
Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation

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June 16th Benefit Concert for Reclamation

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MEDIA RELEASE
May 25th, 2006

We invite our Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Allies to a BENEFIT CONCERT FOR “KANENHSTATON” - THE PROTECTED PLACE

*************************
FRIDAY, JUNE 16TH
IN SIX NATIONS (Chiefswood Park)
OHSWEKEN, ON
STARTING AT NOON
*************************

- NO DRUGS, ALCOHOL OR VIOLENCE - ZERO TOLERANCE -
As I am sure you are now all aware of the tense situation in Six Nations with regards to reclamation efforts, and that we are in the process of stopping the illegal construction of a housing project on Six Nations land. We need your continued help, solidarity and support to stand with us. Our talented and successful Indigenous performers and entertainers would be honored to perform for ALL our brothers, sisters, friends and allies. We are inviting you ALL to a Benefit Concert in Support of Six Nations Reclamation Efforts, and bring peace to a difficult situation. Admittance to the concert will be by cash donation, and will be kept in trust for the Reclamation Efforts.

As the SPEARHEADER of this Concert, we want to say KHENORONHKWA, (we give you love medicine) as we appreciate all the Indigenous artists and musicians who have already confirmed and stand with us in support. It has been OVERWHELMING.

We have Keith Secola, Willie Dunn, The Shane Anthony Band, The Pappy Johns Band, Digging Roots, Howard Lyons and Joseph Fire Crow (just to name a few), confirmed for the big date. In total we have over 27 bands booked for this date, and they are coming from as far away as New Mexico to do this!!!!!!



Please note that All our First Nations performers are coming to do this Benefit Concert on their own dime, and out of the goodness of their hearts, to stand in solidarity with Six Nations and The People.

We also want to say a HUGE and heartfelt Nya:wen (thank you) to our Brothers at GRAND RIVER ENTERPRISES, who have stepped up to the plate and have sponsored a World Class Stage with all the bells and whistles. Only the BEST will do for our First Nations Artists and Entertainers!!!!

We have also been receiving donations of Artwork from Aboriginal Artists across Canada and the US, so that we may have an Art Auction with all the proceeds going to the Reclamation Efforts in Six Nations. The date of this Auction will be announced at the concert. KEEP IT COMING....A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR TALENTED FIRST NATIONS ARTISTS OUT THERE!!! NYA:WEN KOWA!!!

Well known First Nations Actor, Gary Farmer,(Pow Wow Highway, Smoke Signals) and First Nations Actress/Singer Cheri Maracle(Black Fly, Moccasin Flats) have confirmed their support as MC for this benefit. You are ALL welcome to come and support us, and enjoy some of the finest First Nations talent across Canada and the U.S. Indigenous artists CAN make a difference.

Let's all take a stand together.

ITS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURE. WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHERE WE CAME FROM. We need to rally behind Six Nations and The People.

Please send this on to your fellow Indigenous Musicians, Artists, and Entertainers. We want to show the Unity among our Peoples and our supporters across Canada and the U.S.. LETS TURN THIS INTO AN INDIGENOUS ““WOODSTOCK FOR UNITY””

If you are NOT available to perform, then please feel free to send any donations; Art work, CDs, or anything you can, from your heart, to show your support.

Keep up the great work everyone!!!!!!

Please contact our events Coordinator, Tuesday Johnson-MacDonald, of TAP Resources (519-445-1794) on how YOU can help, and/ OR SEND MONETARY DONATIONS TO :
TAP Resources, Six Nations Reclamation Efforts
P.O. Box 669, Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0

Performers and Artists: Contact David R. Maracle,

before May 31, 2006 to confirm your appearance as a performer, 613-396-2767; or email at davidrmaracle@aol.com.

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP

David R. Maracle
Native Expressions
P.O. Box 323
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON
K0K 1X0

Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation

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“Self-Restraint” in the Face of Armed Attacks on Six Nations People

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From Kahentinetha Horn:

MNN. May 27, 2006. People watching the televised attacks on our people at Six Nations are shocked to see how much self-restraint we have as a people. Don't mistake the Indigenous self-restraint for submission to Canadian authority. It's a lot harder to restrain oneself in the face of provocation, adversity, mistreatment, unfairness and attacks on human rights and dignity. This is what we've had t o do throughout the confrontations that have been organized against us by the Canadian state over our reclamation of our land now known as "Kanenhstaton", the precious land.

When we face our adversaries in just about every walk of life, it is sickening how we have to hold everything in and walk around as if we're wearing a mask to hide our true feelings of anger and frustration. Right from the day we are born we are assaulted by the agencies of the colonial governments. Many people are trained to look at us with pity or condescension or fear. It's as if we were some kind of reptile or untrained animal. The natural world is not respected in colonial society the way it is in ours where we learn favorable lesson from every type of creature. 25% of the species on the planet are extinct now. We had something to learn from each of them that we will never now learn.

So far we we're threatened with an armed Ontario Provincial Police attack on March 22 which was aborted. Then we were physically attacked by the heavily armed OPP on April 20th. Finally their hired guns managed to organize a rabid crowd to come to the reclamation site to "kill those Indians". They carried pepper spray, baseball bats, cherry bombs and other weapons. These are all old strategies that have become familiar to us. Where did they get the pepper spray from? The only people who normally have it are the cops.

The whole aim of these confrontations is to get us so riled up that we will do something rash. Then they can have the excuse they want to use full force against us, making it seem like thuggery is legal. This demonstration is something they want to show other Indigenous people that they'd better stay in their place, "or else". So far, not one of our people has taken the bait. Everyone was there on their own initiative. Everyone was free to decide for themselves what to do. Everyone decided to stay and to hold our ground. In the face of the armed threat of the rioters and the police the restraint that was shown reflects the depth of the power and understanding in all of our people. No one was aggressive, no one backed down and when attacked, we defended ourselves very well.

That's the way we are. This shocked Canadians. As one guy from Vancouver said, "I don't know how you people can do that!" We can do it because we know who we are. We know the way of the Kaianereh'ko:wa and the natural world.

So what's next? If Canada wants a repeat of the Mohawk Oka crisis of 1990, or the Ipperwash standoff, or Burnt Church or Gustafsen Lake, it can go ahead with its plans. Is it doing this on purpose? Or is it just bad habit? Either way, it's time for Canada to pull up its socks, behave like an adult, stop threatening us, obey its laws, honor its promises and deal with us as equals. Canada has a choice.

In 1990 when the politicians found they could not get us to fire the first shot so the army could complete the job, they decided that it would be a good idea to bring in some snipers. They wanted to kill off a few of those they considered to be key Mohawks. They knew that this would drive us crazy and would unleash anger like they had never seen before. Of course, we'd be as helpless as fish in a rain barrel. We'd be surrounded by the army. This is what they had to do to have the excuse to do us in.

It might have worked! I don't know why, but I was targeted. We found out about this plan and were very careful not to come out of the Treatment Center where we had been holding out for over a month. We were surrounded by at least 2000 Canadian soldiers with more weaponry than they have in Afghanistan today. Then on September 26th 1990 the army decided to back off and let the Quebec Police come in. We were told they were going to be very aggressive. You know what that means, eh? So without a moment's notice, the 55 of us, men, women and children, walked out and ran into the woods. The soldiers and the police were so angry with us for pulling such a surprise on them, they chased us down, beat us up and even bayoneted my then 14-year old daughter in the chest.

Even though we had weapons, we had never fired a shot at them.

Recently someone was describing to us the disgusting shame and abuse that Palestinian families are put through when they try to leave their walled compounds to go to work or school or wherever. Heavily armed young Israeli soldiers routinely mistreat and insult them. All they can do is put their heads down while the other people watch. They have no choice but to show restraint.

What does this do to self-esteem? It makes a white hot anger blow in people's hearts. We know we don't have any choice but to show self-restraint. But that doesn't mean we accept subjugation. The unwieldy state apparatus that Canada has set up around us has created "prisons of grass", both real and metaphorical. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper just made an announcement that he wants to build more prisons and hire more police. Is he building an "absolute" police state? If we are supposed to be living in a culture of peace, this shouldn't be happening.

Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News

Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation

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[Reclamation Site] May 27th Update from Hazel Hill

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This update is from two days ago – May 27th – my apologies for only uploading it now:

Hello from Grand River

Things are pretty quiet around the site these days. Maybe too quiet.

I've been reading alot in the surrounding newspapers. Caledonia mayor marie trainer was quoted this week as saying the army should be brought in. One of her councillors thinks that the government should just cut off all of the funding that comes into the territory. "Cut off the tax exempt cards, cut off the monthly cheques, cut off the food banks..." (I still wonder where they get the idea that monthly cheques come to our people.)

My response to those types of suggestions is "you're absolutely right!", but first the crown should pay the billions and billions of dollars owed on land leases, the taxes collected on our land, the resources taken from our land and compensations for the destruction of the lands stolen and abused etc. etc. If the crown paid her debt to our people there would be no need for the scraps that come to our people through their government structure. And then there is the interest monies on top of all that. When canada pays her debt we'll gladly get rid of all of those other things.

Wonder if canadians realize they've been duped? They talk as if we are a burden to them. Like they're supporting us. Does it not occur to them that they are the burden? They have been freeloading off our lands and resources for thousands of years. Even IF, and i say if because we know that the land "surrenders" are fraudulent, but IF the 1841 surrender was real, where is the money?????????? They have never paid for one single lease that they have obtained throughout history (to my knowledge anyway). When you lease a car and don't pay for it what happens..... they take it back. That's exactly what we did with our lands. In fact, we should be ready to re-possess the whole haldimand and then let PM Harper say that it's not a federal matter.

And as far as mayor trainer's irresponsible remarks about bringing in the army..... guess she doesn't think much of her citizens in caledonia if she really wants a war zone in her backyard. And they call us terrorists! Then she was quoted as saying that the natives damaged the hydro station causing the power outage in caledonia, six nations, hagersville etc. "It was definitely natives" trainer said friday (quoted from the Brantford Expositor) The fact of the matter is that there is no way anyone will know for certain whether it was natives or non-natives who did the damage because all of our people were up on the front line, and ANYONE could have done the damage. we had removed the barricade at #6 hwy and 6th line the night before, and the opp were the only ones at the end of #6 (argyle st) and #6 bypass. We had opened up the road for pete's sake and she is trying to say that she knows it was natives.

All throughout this reclaimation we have had non-native shit disturbers sneaking into the camp for one purpose and one purpose only, to try to discredit and disrupt the peace. We have had the army dude who admitted to shooting one of our men in the face a few day's before he was caught. We have the idiots in camoflauge on four wheelers taunting our men and the opp trying to incite the war. They brought their video camera with them and proudly turned it over to tv 11 but for some reason were ashamed enough to want to have their faces hidden. And they are the jackasses who threw rocks over the bi-pass and could have potentially killed someone but blamed it on our men because their camera caught one of our men throwing something back at them. Look at the direction of the throw and look at where the barricade was. We were over half way over the #54 hwy so there is no way we caused any damage to any vehicles. it was all a set-up.

And then there was the fire at the barn across the road the night after the police raid on April 20th. Even the farmer believes it was non-natives who were trying to make it look like we were vandalizing the neighbourhood. And yet our men are the ones who went to put out the fire even before the fire trucks arrived. On thursday nite we were accused of shining laser lights and shooting off firecrackers and rattling the nerves of the opp. Next night they caught 3 non-native punks with their firecrackers and bottle rockets after having fired off a few, again to try and incite the war.

We are continuously having to deal with this type of action and yet do we retaliate? No. We keep the peace. We turn over the idiots when we catch them in our camp. We could beat the crap out of them and teach them a lesson and i'll tell you, i give our men the deepest respect and credit for NOT doing it! And why shouldn't we? Do you see us going into caledonia and acting like idiots? Do we sneak around trying to incite a war? We have kept the peace. We are upholding our Law and yet we are criminalized for it.

To me the criminals are the ones who refuse to look at the truth. They make ignorant comments like "just because your ancestors sold the land for beads and now you're crying about it" and other stupid remarks that a kindergarten child would say in a playground fight. I hope stephen harper and marie trainer realize that we are beyond kindergarten and this ain't no playground. And in answer to all of those who wonder or like marie trainer "know that the natives did it", all i can say is that it wasn't something that we did. Our people were on the front line wondering why caledonia didn't want the plank road opened, and the first realization that the hydro was out was when we noticed that the street lights were off and then someone noticed the black smoke. So as far as i'm concerned anyone could have done the damage.

And i like how the government is so quick to respond with thousands of dollars to Henco and the Caledonia businesses for their losses, and yet get them to pay their debt with respect to land leases, they immediately send in negotiators to try and get out of it. How long have we waited for compensation. They don't want to pay up so they send in the guns.

That's exactly what they did in 1924. Our confederacy had asked for an accounting of the lease monies and rather than give the accounting (because they had already embezzled the money), they used the RCMP to bring in the guns and establish a form of government that they knew they could control. And then they set up a process that requires big money to fight them and hundreds of years to get it into their courts. It is the biggest fraud going and the only reason they get away with it is because we let them.

And as far as the people who say that we wanted the band council system, the families that went and asked for this new form of government, is the same as it is today, a handful of people who didn't like the way things were going and rather than council and have their voices heard through the process, they went behind the back of our people and sold us out. Those same families still are in existance today. Only this time, there is no way we are going to let them sell us out. We have our delegates at the table and the people are making the decisions just as it should be. And we are no longer going to let them hide behind their fictitious justice system. it is all a fraud based on unilateral decisions of the crown and that IS illegal.

Then we have others who believe that they are the titleholders and that only they will make the decision. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the few of you who meet are NOT a nation. You are like the rest of us. Only a small number of people when standing alone. Only together in Unity and Solidarity will we get through this and it is ALL OF THE ONKWEHONWEH who are affected by this. not just the Mohawks and not just Six Nations.

The Onkwehonweh are the title holders to the world, and we have a responsibility to the onkwehonweh nations of the world to protect our land for the future of our people, in honesty, in peace and with integrity.

Setting up barriers to divide and conquer is the game the crown has played and by continually creating the divisions within, you are playing right along side of the crown and into their hands. Perhaps you should look at who is guiding you and question their motives. The people at the site are doing what we are obligated to do according to the Law. We are working together with all of the Six Nations, including those from the other territories because yes they have a voice in our circle and yes they have an interest in what we are doing. It is not for selfish gain and it certainly isn't about money. I pray that you will come to an understanding and continue to work WITH the people and not against them. It is only you who can decide this.

Finally, so that everyone is clear, Mr. Peterson has given the time frame of May 31st to have dealt with the barricades. i don't know exactly what his plan is, but i understand that is his goal. To have all of the barricades down by the 31st of May. The people need to be aware of this, because between the media using polls to suggest bringing in the army or using the opp to remove us, marie trainer and other's calling for the army to come in, and the history of our people and the way the government on behalf of the crown has always "dealt with" our people during any kind of "occupation", you need to be aware of the reality of the situation.

Keep the Peace, Keep Strong, and Keep getting the word out. As soon as we know of any further developments, we will let you know. talks are to resume on the 31st and we are having a people's council tomorrow. All are welcome.

hazel

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Hectic Week

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OK, i have been lax in keeping up to date with things over the past few days. Mainly as a result of that always-busy week that follows the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair, i’ve just missed keeping abreast of events.

This is just a quick note of explanation – hopefully i’ll get back on top of things soon!

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Re: Friday's Post

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Reposting the following from AnnaMaries’s Verbena-19 blog:

It seems that this article from MNN that I posted yesterday did not tell the whole story: MNN "Poor sports" in Ontario. 6 Nations "shut out"

Today I've received an email from someone who is on the Six Nations reserve, and was informed that: "The games were called off because one was for Monday when all hell broke lose and the others due to the power outage that effected the reserve as well as all the other people you have heard about. They were told it would take 3 to 4 days to get power back on. So all games have been put over till next week."

I apologise for the misinformation in my previous post, and will try harder to sift through all the information I receive from different sources and hopefully find the gem of truth, since I am a seeker of truth and I do not feel good about my error.

However, the article does give us some insight into the emotions of some people and the need for dialogue, patience and understanding of the different view points. We have not always treated the Native People with the respect that they deserve. Indeed, many grave wrongs and atrocities have been perpetrated upon them by us and our governments. I can only hope that the voices of reason, justice and peace will prevail and that negotiations proceed in this spirit.

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“Poor Sports” in Southern Ontario – Six Nations Kids Shut Out By Caledonia and Fisherville So Far

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This from  Kahentinetha Horn’s Mohawk Nation News:

MNN. May 25, 2006. The first sign that rot is spreading to the core of community relations in rural Ontario came when a team of 11-year lacrosse and 7 and 8-year old baseball players were ostracized. The Caledonia team refused to play against our kids on either Six Nations or Caledonia diamonds. Another town, Fisherville, won't come down to Six Nations to play our kids either. Meanwhile we are paying $200 an hour to play lacrosse in the Caledonia Arena. When our team showed up yesterday at the regular time, the Caledonians locked us out.

There are two court actions which could be brought because of these events. A complaint of racial discrimination could be made in the Ontario Human Rights tribunal and an action for breach of contract could be brought into small claims court.

We don't know who initiated this petty snit. We do know that the instigators of the "Bread and Cheese Fight" were not members of the Caledonia community. Our contacts in Caledonia did not know them. However, their m.o. was recognizable to Indigenous people on other parts of the country. They've been seen before in the thick of the fray in other attacks on Indigenous nations. There is a strong suspicion that these trained instigators may be part of covert state funded operations. We saw it at Lasalle and Chateauguay in Quebec.

We ran into it in 1974 when the Indigenous caravan arrived in Ottawa to demonstrate on Parliament Hill. We were all gathered there and the riot police was called in. We wondered why they were there because we were all peaceful. We noticed a few non-natives in our midst with heavy-ladened backpacks. Suddenly these guys reached into their bags and pulled out iron tools, rocks, handles and even small axes. They threw them at the police and then took off. The police attacked the crowd and we all got beaten up. Paddy wagons were already there. It was a set up. **

Canada refuses to follow international law by dealing with us on a nation-to-nation basis. Canada does not respect proper communication. Every time there is a problem, it turns into a confrontation and armed forces are sent in.

In 1990 the Mohawks of Kanehsatake were refusing to let the nearby town of Oka to build a golf course over our ceremonial sites and burial grounds. On July 11th a paramilitary Quebec Police force opened fire on the defenders at Kanehsatake. To stop the blood bath that was obviously possible, we closed down the Mercier Bridge that goes over the St. Lawrence River from Kahnawake to Montreal.

The people of Chateauguay, a bedroom community right next to Kahnawake, were angry. They had rioted against our people in the same way that the Caledonians tried to attack the Six Nations people. Night after night they would gather at the edge of our territory on the other side of the barricade. They would burn our effigy, make threats and set off fires and loud firecrackers which sounded like guns.

We sat calmly on our side of the barricade and watched. They wanted to come into Kahnawake to attack us. At the same time they would scream in French, "Bring in the army". We heard persons purporting to be the KKK were there too, instigating fights between the rioters. The Quebec police withdrew and the RCMP came in. Then the instigators turned the crowd against the RCMP, beating them up and throwing bricks at them. Twelve were injured. That's when the Canadian army came in and the Chateauguay people clapped and screamed with joy.

Even though the misbehavior such as riots, civil unrest, vandalism, threats, attacks on the police and each other was going on among the non-native people, we got goy surrounded by the army. They refused to let any people leave our community to get food, medical supplies or anything we needed. We set up about 5 eating centers on the territory. After a while we ran out of gas. We all had to walk, ride bikes, bring out roller skates or whatever mobility we could find. It was surreal. For about 2 months it was quiet, without traffic. We were alone without any non-natives in our midst. Our supporters were not allowed to come in to bring provisions to us. When they weren't caught by the citizens' vigilantes of the nearby towns, they managed to sneak in by water and even dropped some by aircraft. In the end we had to open up the bridge because we were running out of food.

What is happening to the children's sport teams at Six Nations is nothing new to us. This happened after the Mohawk Oka crisis of 1990.

After the crisis was over, the surrounding towns changed their schedules so that our kids could not compete. We had put a lot of money into their communities for hockey, lacrosse, football, wrestling, baseball, you name it. We are big sports fans. When the kids play, the whole family supports them. When our kids were stopped from competing, of course, the Indigenous crowds diminished dramatically. The arenas started to lose money.

Also, we stopped shopping in Chateauguay. Businesses started to go under. The situation got so bad, in a fit of desperation the town of Chateauguay even tried to sue us for $25 million for not shopping there. Good luck! They didn't get anywhere on that one. 16 years later they have not completely recovered. There's still a big division between the people over there. The moral of the story is that this silly snits can snowball. They can bring economic ruin to whole communities.

Whether or not the people of Caledonia or Fisherville are being suckered by megalomaniacs who have infiltrated the Canadian government, the effects of their boycott may prove devastating for their communities in the long run.

We suspect that that Caledonia is being incited to do this. It is obvious that someone's interest is being served by turning non-natives against natives. It is equally obvious that it will do nothing for Caledonia or Fisherville in the long run. We hope our friends will not buy into this nonsense. Some of their kids are playing on Six Nations teams. We know who are our friends are. Let's get back to being good sports.

Six Nations has produced a lot of elite native athletes. This is something that concerns all young people. This is a time when elite athletes, native and non-native, could take a stand to promote good sportsmanship.

Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News

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[Reclamation Site] May 25th Upate from Hazel Hill

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Sago from Grand River.

It's been a few days since my last update and the atmosphere at the camp has been a dramatic change since then. When the events unfolded on Monday after our original attempt at keeping the PEACE and opening the first barricade on Plank Road (Argyle St) i wondered if we'd ever be able to come to consensus again to continue with our original agreement and open up the barricade. The tension was very high and with the continued attempts by the instigators among the Caledonians to fuel the fire and taunt our people, it left many with hardened and heavy hearts, including my own. It was hard to even consider sitting at the fire and once again discussion showing "good faith" and continuing with our plan to re-open plank road.

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Many people were angry at the display of racism and violence instigated by the non-native's, especially when the media made it out to be the native's who were at fault. Nothing that should be news to us however. The remarks at calling for the army to come in, the one-sided reporting of some of the larger media portraying caledonia citizens of the victims of terrorist acts and the 30 or so of our people who were pepper-sprayed compared to maybe 3 or 4 of the non-natives showed exactly what we have been saying all along. When it comes to the Onkwehonweh and the issue of land rights, there is no justice. We get labelled terrorists because we continue to work under the Great Law of Peace, and trying to maintain peace while being met with acts of war is hard to swallow.

Many of our supporters and e-mails suggested that forget it, keep up the barricades. Don't open them up because of the safety of our people was threatened. And to be honest with you, it continues to be threatened whether the barricades are there or not. The non-native people who have fear and anger in their hearts continue to try to intimidate, continue to show their ignorance, and continue to refuse to look at the truth regardless.

But the people chose to trust. Trust in each other, trust in the people, trust in the Kaierenekowah and trust in the process of our Law as well as ultimately in our Creator. The people made a decision to go ahead and open the barricade again, and this time we made it very clear to the opp that they are responsible for their people and that should anything occur again that threatens the safety of our people, if anyone violates the peace that we have extended, the barricade on argyle street will be put up immediately and there will be no more chances. It was decided that ONE MORE TIME we will show that good faith. Many people believe we have shown that "one more time" too many times, but we did it. And while there was uncertainty, it was definitely an empowering decision. We were upholding our Law. We were maintaining our authority on our land, including plank road, by determining the conditions of the policing etc; and upholding our responsibilities and obligations to our people and allowing the process that has been established between the crowns representatives and the delegates of the people to continue.

I had one caledonia resident ask if it was David Peterson who helped negotiate bringing down the barricade or if the Six Nations people who did it themselves. I told him absolutely mr. peterson played no role in the barricade coming down and that it was all the six nations people who did it. He was quite happy to hear that. Another caledonian thanked me and shook my hand. And while the main gate to the site is blocked by the hydro tower and manned by the men, the atmosphere is almost as it was before the opp invaded on april 20th. Many supporters are once again honking and stopping by to show their support. Bringing coffee and stopping to talk. It is a good feeling and far outweighs the angry outbursts of a few individuals who probably don't even live in or near caledonia. The "paid protesters" is what i call them.

We all know that the government's plan when dealing with "native land occupations" is to make the negotiations fail, and they have every intention of making sure this one does as well. We still have the idiots who try to come into the camp, try to steal our flags, and try to incite trouble, but the rotiskenrekethe are right on top of everything and when a situation arises, they deal with it. I am very proud of the men who have put their own personal lives on hold to uphold their obligations to the Kaierenekowah, and to all of the Six Nations Territories and families whose men have come to help and support, as well as other Onkwehonweh Nations; Nya Weh Kowah to you too!

The skepticism and doubt still exists among many of our people as to whether we made the right choice. Even one of the clanmothers shared her concerns with respect to the safety of our people, but she applauded everyone for their efforts and good minds at having come to the decision and standing by it. But we are a long way from having the peaceful resolution we are all seeking. we have yet the barricade on the railway as well as the #6 hwy by-pass which peterson expects to have managed to resolve by may 31st. In fact, that is david peterson's only mandate. To "get the barricades down and then we'll talk" he continues to use the rule that they won't talk while the barricades are up. Yet they expect us to talk while threats of court injunctions being enforced through violent actions of opp still hang over our head. I guess maybe he does understand us a little. Our people are not intimidated by threats of violence and court injunctions. They mean nothing to us.

In an interview today i was asked the question of what it would take to see some resolve. I told them that for me, it would be for canada to admit to the world that they are guilty of the biggest white collar crime in the history of their people. Since the so-called existence of corporate canada, the crown has knowingly committed land theft not only of the haldimand tract, but for the whole of turtle island; and reaped the benefits of the land through fraudulent taxation of its citizens, has sucked the land of all of the resources to the tune of billions and billions of dollars being embezzled through the intentional fraudulent acts. And they call us criminals!!

To me, an admittance of guilt would be appropriate, then we can begin working on righting the wrongs that they have committed. Perhaps that is what should be put to mr. peterson at the negotiating table. As representative of the crown, his mandate should be first to accept responsiblity. Stop playing us for the fools he believes us to be and start being accountable for the actions of the crown. They have yet to provide anything that shows they understand the depth of the crime that they have committed. If peterson really believes that sitting at a table to discuss when the barricades are coming down will see the results that he anticipates, perhaps her majesty better begin preparing the next delegate mandated to speak to our people. The barricades are not the issue. Theft, fraud, misappropriation of our lease monies and molestation and intercourse of the Holy Grail is what we are talking about! Let's get real peterson! The crown has usurped her authority through trickery lies and deciept and the Onkwehonweh have their eyes open and we are standing at the head. We are the Holy Grail and we are ready to defend the Peace through any means necessary.

Do i think caledonia and canadians have a right to be angry? Absolutely! But they should direct the anger at where it is justified. The crown. They bought land that they hold no title to, they have been paying taxes to a government that has no authority to collect taxes, and they have been taught a history of lies and deception in an attempt to cover up the biggest crime of mankind since they killed the peacemaker. They should be angry because they are continually played to be the fools all the while her majesty reaps the benefits of her ultimate fraud.

Definitely we are ready to talk. Definitely we are ready to send in our delegates to the table and begin resolving the situation. We are ready and armed with the truth, and we are not afraid to use it. The haldimand itself was used to undermine the authority of the Original League of Nations, our Confederacy, and the crown used it to get her foothold into our land in north america. Now the haldimand has come back to haunt them, and they will be answerable to the fraudulent actions that they have committed.

Justice for Creation will Prevail. Keep the Peace, keep up the support and keep the momentum going. The crowns representatives want this to go away. They even have major newspapers like the globe and mail, and tv stations putting out leading polls such as "How do you think the government should deal with the situation with Six Nations in Caledonia, bring in more opp, or bring in the army" those my friends are the beginning stages of justifying another attack, and we want all of our supporters to be ready, because if anything happens here, canada will have declared war against all of the Onkwehonweh Nations of the world and we must defend by any means necessary.

Hazel

i have lightly edited the above by adding paragraph breaks and capitalziing the first letter of each sentence - hope that's ok!

Categories: caledonia-reclamation-2006

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Reports in that the Caledonia Blockade has been Voluntarily Dismantled

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The Toronto Star is reporting that the self-defense barricade put up yesterday has been voluntarily dismantled by the First Nations people at Caledonia:

Caledonia blockade dismantled May 23, 2006. 03:49 PM
RICHARD BRENNAN
STAFF REPORTER

CALEDONIA, Ont. — More then two months after native protestors took control of a contentious section of highway near Caledonia, the road was reopened to traffic after a new deal was brokered during early afternoon talks.

Signs of progress were evident when a native in traditional Mohawk dress offered Ken Hewitt, spokesman for the Caledonia citizens' alliance, a lilac branch symbolizing a peace offering. It took several more hours for the road to officially open, due largely to a gap in the highway dug by native protesters over the weekend.

While residents were relieved to see the road opened, many were still concerned by an ongoing power outage affecting about half the town. Power was cut Monday night after vandals lit a car on fire and drove it into a transformer station.

Then tempers flared in the community and fights broke out between residents and natives at the barricade.

Diane Howatt, a Caledonia resident, said locals just want life to get back
to normal.

"We'd like to get back to being friends and neighbours again," she said.

"This is a big victory for Caledonia," said former Ontario premier David Peterson, assigned by the province to mediate the dispute.

Hazel Hill said the protesters had a "council" this morning where they decided to proceed with plans to open the main thoroughfare into the town.

The bypass around Caledonia remains closed.

More news will follow as i (hopefully) receive more news…
Categories: caledonia-reclamation-2006

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The Bread and Cheese Fight

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This just in my email box:

“Bread and Cheese Fight”
Victoria Day at Six Nations - Who Was Being Sucker Punched?
Ontario does not want to recognize Six Nations or any Aboriginal Title

MNN. May 23, 2006. At 6:00 am May 22nd, "Bread and Cheese Day", the Six Nations people removed the barricade on Argyle Street in Caledonia as a gesture of goodwill. What ensued is being called, the "Bread and Cheese Fight". It was the 83rd day of the reclamation of Six Nations land and the stopping of construction of a housing project of Henco Developers. Talks aimed at resolving the situation were scheduled to continue. Let's not be fooled. What followed was part of somebody's plan. It's clear that professional instigators played a role in the rioting. David Peterson's tactics created fuel for the flames.

The rioters were to arrive with about a dozen instigators and outsiders. Several savvy observers counted and this is what they saw. Our sources have consulted with genuine "Caledonians" and confirmed that the most active rioters were people they had not seen before. The rioters were supposed to find the native barricade still up. We think they are pro' instigators because we've seen the same kind of faces before. In particular the main rabble rouser looked like a 50 year old cop. He was surrounded by guys made to look like "skin heads" [as if skin heads are still around. As if they lived in a nice rural community like Caledonia]. A short guy with sun glasses who was punching a cop was recognized by a native viewer. She said he is the spitting image of a guy high up in the KKK. We've also seen the m.o. before. The police routinely function to get the "rabble" to do their dirty work.

Then they were to make a ruckus and start attacks on the Six Nations people. The uniformed OPP were to just stand there and watch, pretending to be neutral. Then it would turn into a melee. Then the crowd was supposed to turn on the cops for not letting them get at the Indians. A few cops would get hurt. Then there would be an excuse to bring in the riot police conveniently stationed nearby. Many would be arrested, native and non-native. The non-native would be released and we would never know who they were. The natives would be charged. All this we've witnessed before.

The planners got it wrong this time. The Six Nations did open the road. When the non-native rioters arrived, they found the street open. This threw their plans out the window. There was no obstacle to overcome. So they set up their own barricade so they could find a target. When a car carrying native people came along, they attacked it. When people from the site came to help, they attacked them. What ensued was not a confrontation between the native and non-native people. It was a planned attack on the native people. When the native people started defending themselves, the corporate media got the photos they wanted. Images that make the natives look like the aggressors are plastered all over the media today. They also have Caledonians saying things like, "Bring in the army", "This is terrorism" and "Dissolve both sides and everybody should go home". Even the power outage was part of the scheme to create what was to look like chaos between native and non-native. Are there any real journalists left in corporate media in Canada who will report the truth?



During the riots David Peterson, the so-called "negotiator", arrived on the scene. The native people were polite. He went over to the non-native rioters and got pushed around. It was all a show. Then Peterson said, "The government wants the Caledonian and the Six Nations people to be in solidarity". He said he was against all the people who used force to make everything generate into chaos. Who used force? It was clearly the non-native side. His most telling remark was, "The talks may not go on" [he hopes]. This is what the whole display was all about - to stop the talks and to distract attention from the validity of the Six Nations claim.

If you were to dig deep to find the underlying interests that are served by stopping the talks, you would hit the hard rock of corporate greed. What is happening in Six Nations right now is not just about a piece of land on the Grand River. It's about all native rights to land and resources in Canada. It will set the tone for the treatment of Indigenous rights in every other part of the country. Big business absolutely does not want Canada to start respecting Indigenous rights. They had a real problem a few years ago when Justice Thomas Berger's Report on the McKenzie Valley Pipeline raised public awareness of the relationship between environmental issues and Indigenous rights. The Berger Report is almost forgotten. The McKenzie Valley pipeline is on the negotiating table again. Corporate interests do not want to suffer another Berger type setback caused by a bunch of do-gooder Canadians who think they want to live in a clean and healthy world.

Affirmation of the Six Nations right to the Grand River land could mean the end of their reign of environmental destruction and dissolution of their illegal colonial system. What happened at Six Nations yesterday is a small distraction. We don't know who Peterson's clients are when he's not at Six Nations. We do know that he is aware of the corporate interests served by the denial of Indigenous rights. We also know that he's been double dealing telling Caledonians that Ontario has no intention of returning land to the Six Nations while assuring Six Nations people that Ontario would formally recognize our title.

Once we realized this, we knew that Peterson did not really want the talks to go on even though he sounds conciliatory in public, especially when he talks to the media. He put on a different face during the meetings with the Six Nations. He sat there with a surly expression the whole time. This is a man who is not happy when things do not go his way.

Said a Mohawk about what's going on, "You can't steal land. You can't put it into your pocket and walk away with it. You can only illegally occupy it".

Another commented, "They lost the argument about the land. When a baby doesn't get its way, they start busting everything. That's what they did yesterday. The media has not been telling the public or the people of Caledonia the truth". There is no real difference between the people of Caledonia and the people of Six Nations. All agree they want to live peacefully. Let's hope people don't get distracted from this goal by outside instigators who don't care spit about the people of Caledonia or Indigenous people. The real Caledonians and the Six Nations people do not want to hurt anybody. The Caledonians threw bricks of cheese at the Six Nations who threw it back at them. Maybe this can be reenacted every year after this.

Could the 'Bread and Cheese Fight' have been avoided? Not when there's so much corporate "greed" at stake.

Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News

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Good Morning from Grand River

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This just in my mailbox:

Good Morning from Grand River

Well, by now everyone has heard how our show of good faith was met.

Yesterday morning by 6:00 a.m. the main barricade on Plank Road (Argyle Street) was removed and the road was completely open ready for use. It wasn't met with good faith however, on the part of Caledonia residents, or at least those claiming to represent Caledonia. Their human barricade refused to budge and at one point, surrounded an elderly couple who were attempting to come through. The opp stood by and watched as the angry crowd refused to let our people through and when spokesman Clyde Powless and spokeswoman Janie Jamieson tried to go up and talk to the opp to get them to help our people through the line, they were surrounded by the angry caledonia representatives and shoving and pushing began. We were told that the vehicle that our elders were in had windows smashed, however, the opp said that no damage was done to the car. It was unclear at that point as to why the caledonia citizens did not meet our efforts of good faith, but later in an interview, Ken Hewitt, representing the Caledonia Citizens Alliance stated that they were not satisfied with the fact that only one of our barricades were taken down and that they wanted all of the barricades down and they wanted the Onkwehonweh people off the land that we've re-claimed.

Obviously David Peterson and the Town of Haldimand didn't inform the caledonia residents of the nature of the negotiations and the process that was being followed. Our press release of early yesterday morning with Chief Allen McNaughton and other representatives of the Confederacy Council stated the status of the negotiations and that as agreed, the main road into Caledonia was being opened up as a show of good faith. Later on that morning there was statements made by some of those on the caledonia side of things that they wanted to march down argyle street to the site of the land reclamation. This was exactly the concern of the Onkwehonweh people in their hesitation at wanting to open up the road in the first place. The intention of our people to keep the peace and open the road was being met with anger and threats to our safety.

Needless to say, because the opp were unable to convince those representing caledonia to disassemble their human blockade and go home and allow us to proceed as planned with the peaceful negotiations, the barricades were put back up. At one point, one of the elders of our people had offered a symbolic gesture to let them know that we still are upholding the peace and that they must choose which direction they wanted to proceed, but he was met with hollering and insults from the non-native protesters. I must add as well that in speaking with the opp, they had mentioned that many many caledonia residents were deeply disappointed in the people who were instigating the people on their side, and that many believe that those present who were causing the disruption, were not residents of Caledonia and that they were outsiders who's main intent was to instigate trouble. And that they did.

They were given a time frame to dismantle their people and allow the Onkwehonweh to continue with our offering of opening the road, and when they refused to move, at the end of that time frame, the consensus of the people was to dig the road up and a backhoe was brought in to begin that process. Again, the opp asked for more time to persuade their people to go home, and the digging stopped but their people refused to move. At one point in the afternoon some of the non-native protesters began trying to come around the side of the opp and rush toward our people. The men and women stood in defense of our position and at least 30 of our people were pepper sprayed, a couple of our people were taken to the hospital, and several of the caledonia people were hurt in the scuffle.

Again, we were able to bring our people back to refrain from any further escalations of violence, however, the mood at this point was indeed tense. By evening there were anywhere from 250 to 300 caledonia citizens in their human blockade and most of the people of Six Nations had gathered in solidarity behind our barricade. The opp had called in extra support from all over the surrounding areas, and at one point the riot squad had gathered in hopes of getting the caledonia people to go home. No action was taken by the opp or riot squad, and by around 2:30 this morning, most of the residents from the caledonia blockade had retreated. as of this morning at around 7:00 am., the barricade on the plank road is still there, and the people are considering now if another show of good faith will result in the same situation or worse, or whether we should once again, attempt to remove the barricades to allow the traffic to move freely through and allow our delegates to continue with the peaceful negotiations that were scheduled to continue this week.

We need our supporters to understand that we are continuing with our peaceful position, that we are unarmed, and intend to maintain that position of Peace, on our Land, and trust in our People, in our Kaierenekowah -- the Great Law, and in our Creator and the process that was given to us to resolve this situation to the best of our ability. We appreciate all of the phone calls and e-mails, and I apologize if I am unable to respond to each of your e-mails individually, but at this moment, we are working diligently to ensure the safety of our people at the site, and will keep everyone posted and updated as quickly as possible. The solidarity of the Onkwehonweh people is the most important factor in this situation and we appreciate all of those who are standing by to support in any way that is necessary if the Crown's representatives fail to keep the negotiations proceeding toward a peaceful resolution.

Hazel

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