Haldimand mayor calls cabinet minister 'idiot'
By Susan Gamble
Brantford Expositor
Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 01:00

Local News - Theres plenty happening in and around Caledonia despite a comment from the provincial community safety minister this week that theres no occupation now in that town.

But natives are maintaining their stand on the Douglas Creek Estate lands vowing to stay until the lands are in Six Nations hands and some Caledonia supporters are still decrying incidents of violence in the town.

Heres a roundup of events over the 10 days:

** Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer said that Monte Kwinter is an idiot who is not on the same planet as everyone else. The mayor was being interviewed on CH TV Friday, responding to Kwinters remarks that the only occupation in Caledonia is a symbolic one and involves no mayhem.

Its a little calmer but its a long way from begin done, Trainer said

In the same interview, Gary McHale, who operates a website called Caledonia Wake Up Call, said he and supporters have documented many serious crimes in the last seven days.

To say everything is calm and quiet is ridiculous, McHale told CH.

Crime is still happening on a daily basis. We have death threats against some residents, people being assaulted ... stones and metal bars being thrown over the bridge in the middle of the night, a truck has a tire blown out at four in the morning. Weve had rocks going through windshields.

Trainer said rocks have been thrown through the windshields of two transport trucks and people have had their gardens torn up as punishment for not asking natives for permission to plant.

In response, OPP spokesman Cst. David Meyer told The Expositor the OPP have responded to 1,000 incidents so far this month and not all are important enough to be reported while others were unrelated to the protest at Douglas Creek Estates.

I dont think were hiding things, Meyer said. That wouldnt be appropriate.



** A group of unnamed Six Nations women say they've "seized" the 50 wind turbines at a Port Maitland wind farm because they are on Six Nations' land, deeded under the Haldimand Tract.

"Canadian Hydro Developers never consulted us nor asked us, the title holders, for our consent to enter our land and develop your windmill project," the women said in a registered letter to the company in Alberta on Friday.

"The windmills on our land are now attached to the soil. According to law they become part of the land. They cannot be removed. As the owners of the land we are now the owners of the windmills."



** One of the men charged in the attack of the television cameramen has apparently skipped town.

Frank Burning, 37, of Ohsweken, was to appear in court on July 19, but didnt show up. His mother, who put up a $10,000 bond for his release from jail, had asked to be released from her surety the day before Burnings disappearance. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

A second man, Ron Gibson, of Akwesasne, Que., was charged in the same incident but hasnt yet been arrested.

** Scuffles in Caledonia between native and non-native youths have resulted in charges.

Around supper time on July 22 more than a dozen teens were brawling outside a pizza parlour.

Police were assaulted as they made arrests, including a teen who got away, but was arrested later and another who jumped up and down on the wheels of a police bicycle and a third to had to be peppersprayed.

Two Niagara Falls teens and two others of no fixed address were arrested at the site.

On the evening of July 19, about 50 teens ended up gathering in front of the Caledonia McDonalds. Some of the natives used cell phones to call others for support, confirmed protest spokesperson Janie Jamieson



** The main negotiation table where the Six Nations Confederacy has been meeting with representatives of the Canadian and Ontario governments now has four side tables set up to deal with specific issues.

The tables are set up to deal with: archaeology and appearance, to determine if human remains are on the land and what can be done to improve the look of the property; Plank Road lands resolution, to look at land possession, use and development; educating students, the public and government officials about native traditions, languages, history and culture; and consultation issues like accommodation, compensation and benefits related to development of native land.

Chief Allen MacNaughton said in a news release Friday the side tables will advise the main table, representing a new phase of the negotiation process.

Not everyone is happy, though.

Protest spokesperson Janie Jamieson said Friday she worries the government is hoping the natives will squabble over other, more minor, issues instead of focusing on the land and its title.



** Former band councillor Ken Hill, who faces assault charges after a scuffle near the protest site, had his bail adjusted so he can now drive through the town of Caledonia.

Previous Hill was ordered not to travel within 500 metres of the housing development but that would have precluded him from getting to the courthouse in Cayuga without a circuitous detour.

Hes now ordered not to stop or shop in Caledonia or enter the protest site.



** Charges against Arnold Douglas, 61, have been dropped. Douglas had a warrant issued at the same time as Hill with charges of robbery, attempted murder, forcible confinement, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer and theft of a motor vehicle, but theyve all been withdrawn by the Crown.



Jamieson said those at the protest site wanted to thank all those who have been supporting the protest and made assurances that, despite Kwinters remarks of the protest being over, the natives are committed to staying on the land until the property is officially in the hands of Six Nations.

Weve managed one winter there. We can do it again.