----- Original Message -----
From: RUSSELL DIABO
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;@priv-edtnaa01.telusplanet.net
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 5:58 AM
Subject: Quiet protest to continue
Quiet protest to continue
By Susan Gamble
Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 01:00
Local News - Negotiations before Superior Court Justice David Marshall on
Friday have all but guaranteed a quiet weekend for native protesters in
Caledonia.
Blockade spokesperson Dawn Smith said Friday evening that, after a long day of
legal wrangling, she had "made the best of a bad situation" by deflecting a
plan to arrest and hold the protesters at the site, starting Tuesday at 8 a.m.
Instead, there's been an agreement, she said, that police will come to the site
at 2 p.m. on Wednesday to arrest, photograph and fingerprint any protesters at
the blockade. They will be immediately released on their own recognizance and
will be given a suspended six-month sentence.
"I can't speak for anyone else," said Smith, "but I will be at the blockade on
Wednesday at 2 p.m."
Protesters have stopped work at the Douglas Creek Estates development for 18
days. Marshall ruled the protesters are now in contempt of court for refusing
to move the barricades. They say the Caledonia property, which sits just on the
edge of the Six Nations reserve, is part of lands deeded to the Six Nations in
1784 through the Haldimand Treaty.
The blockade is holding up work by Henco Industries, which plans a large
subdivision of upscale homes in the area.
Several dozen natives at the site sign show no sign of flagging in their
determination to stay put.
A police car sits idling at a discreet distance down the road, but the
intersection itself is filled with people gathered around a bonfire and milling
around a line of cars, popping in and out of the vehicles in efforts to keep
warm.
Several clan mothers are chatting and laughing in a trailer set up near the
Porta-potties and there's a big Tim Hortons coffee carafe near a picnic table.
Tents and a stack of skids to burn in the fire speak to the natives' long-term
plans.
Every few minutes, a passing car lays on the horn to show support and people
frequently stop to deliver supplies or encouragement.
Gil Marcotte called to some of the young men as he pulled up to come and tote
cases of pop and water from the back of his vehicle.
"It's not much, because I'm on disability," he said, "but I'm 100 per cent
behind them."
Marcotte, who is from Hamilton, is married to a Six Nations woman and is
determined to show his support.
"The natives have been pushed around too much and it's about time they stood up
for their rights."
Another man lingered outside the barricade, hoping for education.
"I'm of the opinion that this is very likely their land," said the Beamsville
man, who declined to give his name.
"I tried to look up information and there isn't much. So, I was nearby and
decided to come and see for myself. I'm just scratching the surface of what's
been under my nose for 50 years."
One of the protesters' frustrations is that the local seat of justice sits on
land which is in the disputed territory and, in fact, the judge ruling on the
injunction against them has property in the tract, as well.
Justice Marshall was asked to step down from the case on Thursday but declined,
deciding the issue was not about the ownership but about whether the natives
were in contempt of a court injunction.
Back at the blockade, Janie Jamieson, an organizer of the protest, said support
is now coming in from other reserves. People from Oneida, near Southwold, were
manning the back entrance to the survey and natives from Tyendinaga and
Akwesasne were said to be on their way.
"I'm really pleased with the support," said Jamieson, emphasizing the peaceful
nature of the action.
A single mother, Jamieson, 31, said protesting has been tough on her family
life, but her children understand why she's involved.
"They know why I'm here. I firmly believe this is in the best interest of
future generations."
Jamieson said the protest started in October when natives put Henco Industries
on notice that the land was under native claim. In a single-day peaceful
protest, natives handed out details to passing motorists.
"This is right on our doorstep," Jamieson said of the development. "We got
together and said That's enough no more'."
ID- 7334
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Native News North
List info{all lists}:
http://nativenewsonline.org/natnews.htm
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NatNews-north/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
