Reclamation site supporters rushed to put out bales of hay that were set on fire at the site Monday night, by a group of youths that sources said have virtually "taken over the site," despite concerns raised by adult supporters of the land reclamation.
Monday's fire is just one in a series of incidents that have caused long time adult supporters to leave as clanmothers are unable to control youth at the site.
In addition to the fire, a young man is recovering from neck injuries after he was struck with a crowbar during an internal scuffle at the land reclamation site last Tuesday. A 19-year-old man from Tyendinaga, Kenny Mitchell, has been kicked off the site for two weeks for striking the other youth with a crowbar after first throwing a brick through the window of the party-constructed home he was staying in, according to a 25-year-old man at the front gate who did not want his name used.
That same man also lit up a joint in front of a Turtle Island News reporter and photographer during a visit to the site last Thursday.
Clanmothers and chiefs had posted notices earlier banning drugs and alcohol from the site, but he shrugged it off when the Turtle Island News questioned him about using the drug on the property.
Monday night OPP contacted Reclamation adult supporters when shortly after
A group of youths had taken a number of bales of hay and set them on fire. The smoke from the fire drifted over nearby
One site supporter said the young men set the bales on fire because, "the OPP were looking at us."
Last week OPP were alerted when a newspaper reporter made his way into the "no man's land" boundary area, upsetting
In an earlier incident a bon fire was lit near homes.
A number of long-term supporters have left the site, citing concerns for their safety.
Despite the incidents long-term supporter, Carol Bomberry, says those concerns are unfounded and she supports the young men.
Instead, Bomberry accused adults of spreading gossip. "All these people that wanted the youth to leave – all they do is spread rumour and gossip and it's taken as fact," said Bomberry. "I'm sick and damn tired of it. All they do is sit there and complain. These people don't appreciate their (the youths) help. People are afraid of them and I don't know why."
Two weeks ago, there was a flare-up at the side entrance of the site when a group of young men entered the 100 ft. "no-go zone" that runs along the south side of the property, resulting in some angry exchanges between neighbouring residents and the site.
Three weeks ago, parents of children at the school that abuts the south end of the site became concerned when a young man hopped a fence at the corner of the school's playground as a shortcut to the site.
Reclamation spokesperson Hazel Hill rarely attends the site, and another long-term supporter, who spoke to Turtle Island News and wants to remain anonymous, doesn't feel "comfortable" there anymore.
"Because of Carol's insistence of the young men staying at the camp, whatever they do, she will be held responsible," said the source. "I hope she knows how to keep them out of trouble. So far, she doesn't seem to know how. We have tried, and every time we have, she has interfered and fought to keep them there. So I guess she knows something the rest of us don't. We'll wait and see what that is."
Bomberry, who hasn't been at the site for the past two weeks because of illness, is one of a handful of women who convinced Confederacy security Clyde Powless to allow the youth to stay.
Bomberry was surprised when told by Turtle Island News they had witnessed a youth lighting up a joint. She said although she defends the presence of the youth, she doesn't condone the use of illegal substances there.
"That's not right, I don't support that kind of thing. I totally support the ones with good minds. I don't support bad behaviour."
She said two weeks ago, a group of men were sent into the camp to try and remove the youth, but were unsuccessful. "I was there when they brought in the goon squad two weeks ago. They said they were sent by the chiefs and clanmothers. The chiefs and clanmothers have no say here. It's the people that have the say."
Bomberry says she's given the young men chores to do.
"I'm going to try to keep an eye on the youth and work on their respect of the place and respect of the land. I just love them. They have a strong conviction of what their duty is."
Janie Jamieson could not be reached for comment.