By John Paul Zronik
Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 01:00
Brantford Expositor
Six Nations residents who have constructed an information centre near the Cockshutt Bridge said Friday the facility is about promoting peace, not selling cigarettes.
Bring your own cigarettes because we dont have any, said Trevor Vanevery, a Six Nations resident and one of the driving forces behind the centre. As long as were here, there will be no smoke shop.
Rumours have been rampant since the information centre was put up on Grand River Conservation Authority land last week that it may become a smoke shop, similar to ones found on the Six Nations reserve. The centre is housed in a trailer with a wooden deck built in front, with the deck protected by a large billboard.
Vanevery said the billboard is not designed to hide cigarettes, as some have suggested, but to serve as the canvas for a future mural. He said the only purpose of the centre is to provide information to anyone who wants to know more about Six Nations land claims.
The problem is that there are rumours floating around, he said. This is about everybodys future: the fine citizens of Brantford, Six Nations everybody.
We want them to have the truth. We welcome everybody ... we have nothing to hide.
Although a sign posted in front of the facility reads "Mohawk Information Centre," it was built to inform the public about issues of concern to all of the Six Nations, Vanevery said.
He hopes good things will come out of constructing the centre.
No more racism, Vanevery said of his goal. Everybody understanding who we are and us understanding who they are.
Currently, those who visit the centre are given an information package about Six Nations Land claims. Vanevery said future plans might include youth groups making presentations about native history, or other educational activities.
Vanevery said information centre officials have asked Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock for his support in providing municipal services to the newly built centre.
We want to know if the mayor is going to help us, Vanevery said. We would appreciate it if he would join us in this endeavour to educate people and stop the rumours.
Hancock will be out of the city until the end of the month, but acting mayor Dan McCreary said city officials are keeping the lines of communication open with those responsible for building the information centre.
Weve been receiving advice and consulting with folks from the Mohawk nation, McCreary said. We take these people at their word that they are providing information.
The city has been sincere, the folks who are occupying the site have been sincere.
McCreary said city officials are working to handle the situation in a fashion that will not lead to a Caledonia-type situation. Natives at the information centre say they want nothing to do with another situation like the one in Caledonia.
A tobacco burning ceremony taking place Sunday at the information centre site will serve as a precursor to its official opening Monday morning, Vanevery said.