OPP stop flap over flags in Caledonia

By Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
Dec 4, 2006

In another round of push and pull between Six Nations and Caledonia residents, OPP stepped in on the weekend to stop Canadian flags from being flown near the Douglas Creek Estates.

About 30 people tried to mount the flags and big yellow ribbons just outside the disputed lands on Saturday morning, after starting the campaign in the north end of town.

The group was informed by OPP they would not be allowed to hang flags so close to the estate site, as it could jeopardize their safety and fragile peace in the area.

"I cannot believe that we cannot put up a Canadian flag in Canada in this spot right now," said Dana Chatwell, one of the people involved in organizing the event. "It's disgusting, I'm not even proud to be a Canadian."

OPP in Caledonia issued a stern statement yesterday afternoon condemning actions on both sides of the dispute, calling them "juvenile" and potentially risky to the entire community.

Native protesters have occupied the disputed land since late February, in a bid to reclaim what they say belongs to them. In June, the province bought the land and is in the process of negotiating a settlement.

Chatwell said the group was not trying to stir things up by trying to hang the flags so close to the site, but Six Nations spokesperson Janie Jamieson questions why the group would pick that specific spot. "What is their motive for picking the location they did? ... It's an act of instigation."

Jamieson said there's lots of Canadian flags hung up around Caledonia, which she has no problem with. Her concern is the potential for things to go wrong when tensions start to run high.

"The truth is, every time they do take action there is always that opportunity for harm and to me I don't understand why they keep doing that."

The group was able to hang flags about a kilometre and a half from the Douglas Creek Estates, Chatwell said.

By yesterday, about 10 of the 30 hung up flags in the city had been ripped down. One of those trying to put up flags Saturday was arrested for trespassing after being asked to leave a neighbouring property and refusing.