Updated
Canadian Press
Nerves frayed by the standoff, now in its seventh month, often surface on long weekends and many fear this Labour Day weekend will be no different.
"It's very heated,'' said Ken Hewitt of the Caledonia Citizens Alliance, which represents residents. "It's very tense. You can cut the air with a knife.''
Residents, whose homes border the disputed land, are at a breaking point, Hewitt said. Many are afraid to leave their houses this long weekend for fear they won't have one to return to, he said.
"When you get to the point they're at, your judgement starts to change,'' Hewitt said. It doesn't take much for violence to erupt, he added.
"A simple misunderstanding could lead to something serious.''
Provincial police say they are increasing the number of officers who will be patrolling the town, just outside of
"There is always that concern,'' Starr said. "We're hoping that people will enjoy their long weekend but act responsibly.''
The May long weekend was one of the most violent since the occupation began in February, with a series of skirmishes between residents and aboriginals. Residents were left without power for days after vandals attacked a power transformer station.
The August long weekend was also marred by violence with the two sides throwing rocks and golf balls at each other.
"They have been a little rough,'' Caledonia Mayor Marie Trainer said of the summer's long weekends. "Police have had to put a line in to keep people from getting to each other.''
Long weekends are flashpoints, Trainer said, because people stay close to home. Emotions run high when they drink alcohol, gather in groups and stew about the ongoing standoff, she said.
"People have time to do a little more drinking than normal,'' she said. "People sit around and talk about it and get angry.''
Six Nations protesters have occupied the disputed site, which is now owned by the province, since February saying it was taken illegally from them by the Crown over 200 years ago.
While negotiations regarding the site's ownership continue, they have vowed to remain on the site _ through the winter if necessary _ until the land is returned to them.
Both levels of government tried to preempt any weekend violence Thursday by sending a letter to Six Nations Confederacy Chief Allan MacNaughton, asking him to stop protesters from harassing
But Darrell Doxtdator, one of MacNaughton's advisers, said he doesn't anticipate any conflict this weekend. Both residents and aboriginals have been working together to restore their relationship, he said, and have been making progress.
"Over 200 years of strong community relationships will not be eliminated by 100 days of protest,'' he said. "I do hope everyone on both sides do not attempt to provoke an issue.''