A small group of natives who moved a trailer and Mohawk flags on to a patch of land registered to the Grand River Conservation Authority say they are there to teach, not to fight.
Three men were busy on the weekend constructing a porch on the trailer at the site on Erie Avenue, near the Cockshutt Bridge, just inside the city boundary.
The structure will be a learning centre distributing literature explaining why the land belongs to the Mohawks, said Don Tripp, a member of the group.
Its time to address the issue of land claims concerning six miles on either side of the Grand River, promised to the Mohawks in the Haldimand Treaty of 1784, said Tripp.
We want to deal with this on a government level, he said.
But, he added, the information centre will inform residents the land they live or have businesses on may legally belong to the Mohawks.
We want to teach them the difference. Lets look at their deeds and see whats written on them."
This will be done peacefully, through dialogue, he said.
So far, most curious passersby who visited the Erie Avenue location have been supportive, he added.
If we dont claim this land, theyll put a subdivision here, said Tripp.
However, no such project is underway, said Vic Prendergast, second vice-chairman of the GRCA.
This is not a development in progress. It was essentially sitting as vacant land, said Prendergast, a city representative on the conservation authority.
The only construction near the site is a dike which extends to the Lorne Bridge, built in the 1960s to prevent flood damage in the area, said Prendergast.
He also said that the group is working independently, and is not recognized by David General, the elected chief councillor of Six Nations.
After receiving many calls from concerned constituents, Ward 5 councillor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith visited the site to meet with the group.
Her understanding is that they want to discuss land claims issues and that there is no cause for alarm.
Theyre not about to take anyones homes from them, said Ceschi-Smith.
Its a difficult discussion, but hopefully there is some way to reach an agreement that will be equitable for everybody, she added.
In the meantime, the GRCA has been in touch with the city and the police, and has determined there is no threat to public safety, said communications co-ordinator Dave Schultz.
As long as there is no threat to public safety, we will not be taking any action, said Schultz.