And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: CPTNET Oct. 9, 1999 BLENHEIM, ON: Who is my Neighbour? By Doug Pritchard The land surrounding the band office of the Caldwell First Nation in southwestern Ontario is covered with hundreds of expensive plastic signs saying "Not For Sale". These signs were posted by a local citizens committee earlier this year as soon as the federal government announced they had signed an agreement in principle to settle the Caldwells' 200 year old land claim. The Caldwell now have funds to purchase land and create a reserve for their people. But the land is "not for sale". Not for sale to whom? To find out, 5 CPTers and 2 members of a local group, Friends of the Caldwell, spent a day knocking on doors asking landowners about their signs. "I'm just being neighbourly," said one man. "My neighbours asked me to put up a sign and neighbours have to stick together so I put up a sign. I have nothing against the Caldwell." "I don't want an Indian reserve here," said another woman. "I'm not being racist, but you know what reserves look like-full of junk and shacks and dirty kids. They'll drive the value of my land way down." Another neighbour said, "I don't want a reserve here. The Caldwells' purchases are driving land prices sky high." Chief Larry Johnson of the Caldwell First Nation replies, "The reserve system is the only way we have to preserve Indian land for future generations. We have been neighbours for years and we already manage 700 acres of farmland in this area." Chief Johnson also has a sign on his mailbox. It reads, "Canadian racism can be beaten". He remains hopeful. Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. CPT P. O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680 tel:312-455-1199 FAX 312-432-1213 To join CPTNET, our e-mail network, fill out the form found on our WEB page at http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/
