Negotiation impasse: natives, residents want feds to step in

By John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 10, 2006)

Natives huddled near the edge of the Douglas Creek Estates last night waiting uneasily for a repeat of events that unfolded Tuesday night.

Last night, however, Caledonia residents largely stayed away. Fewer than a dozen police in riot gear stood watch on the shoulder of Argyle Street a couple of hundred feet from the native occupied land while a similar number of officers gathered in front of about 50 residents clustered in the Canadian Tire parking lot nearby.

Natives were also joined behind their barricade last night by a half dozen Local 1005 steelworkers.

The Ontario government says it wants negotiations in the five-month old aboriginal land occupation in Caledonia to continue as it appeals a judge's order to halt the talks until protesters leave the site.

Attorney General Michael Bryant halted the talks yesterday, in keeping with Superior Court Justice David Marshall's order Tuesday.

But he said later he is considering seeking either a stay of the order pending a hearing on the appeal or an expedited hearing because the appeal could otherwise take months. A stay would allow the talks to go on.

Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer says the province's actions do nothing for residents strained to the breaking point.

Tension will remain high between natives and residents -- escalating the potential for violence -- unless the natives leave the site, she said.

Native spokesman Clyde Powless is satisfied with the appeal announcement and expected support.

"The province is ... shouldering the bulk of the responsibility that is not theirs and it's time the federal government lightens their load and steps up."

Ken Hewitt, of the Caledonia Citizens Alliance which has opposed the occupation, said residents want the federal government to "step in and address native claims on a national basis.

Federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said Stephen Harper's government supports the appeal.