babble is rabble.ca's discussion board but it's much more than that: it's an online community for folks who just won't shut up. It's a place to tell each other — and the world — what's up with our work and campaigns.
No plans to forcibly end aboriginal occupation in Caledonia: Bryant
November 26, 2007 - 10:39pm
No plans to forcibly end aboriginal occupation in Caledonia: Bryant
CHINTA PUXLEY
Canadian Press
November 26, 2007 at 7:49 PM EST
CALEDONIA, Ont. — The lessons of Ipperwash and the legacy of Dudley George demand that Ontario resolve the ongoing aboriginal occupation in Caledonia with diplomacy, not force, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant said Monday after his first visit to the beleaguered town.
Forcibly removing protesters from the former housing development, which has been occupied by Six Nations protesters for nearly two years, would do little to relieve the tension, Mr. Bryant said after he was greeted by a group of angry locals calling for a more aggressive approach.
“It's just a blind alley — it will not lead us anywhere,” Mr. Bryant said. “It may have some temporary logic, but it doesn't really help us in the here and now and it certainly doesn't help us for tomorrow.”
The recent public inquiry into the shooting death of Mr. George — gunned down by police during the occupation of Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995 — supported the idea that aboriginal land disputes can be resolved through negotiation, he added.
Many residents have long insisted the occupation is a flashpoint for conflict, and many say they feel intimidated by the protesters. Mr. Bryant, however, said the occupation is now largely a symbolic one.
“There is zero to three people on that land right now — that's it,” he said. “This idea that we can push people on and off property is not something that's sustainable. We need a lasting solution.”
Many people would be hurt, native and non-native alike. Don't believe me? Google "April 20" and "Caledonia."
Actually, don't be surprised if Kanonhstaton (former Douglas Creek Estates -- i.e. the flash point to the current dispute) is turned over to Six Nations as part of a settlement in the Welland Canal flooding claim.
The feds should be putting a counter offer on the table this Thursday regarding Welland. As far as we've been able to tell the two sides are only 600 acres apart now (Six Nations is saying that Ottawa owes them 2,500 acres of land for the claim and another 2,500 acres for "loss of use"). If that happens, some of the claim with be converted into a monetary figure to be used to buy land in a willing buyer, willing seller arrangement.
About two months ago, we learned that the provincial government froze development on 14 parcels of land in the area, including Kanonhstaton. Although, the province is denying that it is holding the land to be used in a settlement with Six Nations...why would it be holding the land.
If Kanonhstaton is handed over (it's actually part of a different claim, for what it's worth), there is a loud minority of people in Caledonia that will not be happy and will voice that displeasure a great deal.
This Thursday could be interesting...