Posted By John Paul Zronik
Sept 19 2007
Brantford Expositor
Quiet words Tuesday afternoon from Six Nations Confederacy spokesman Clyde Powless defused a potentially ugly confrontation between native supporters and a city developer.
A half-dozen Six Nations supporters showed up at a Grand River Avenue development just after 2 p.m., where Mike Quattrociocchi, owner of Mayberry Homes, had resumed construction of four duplexes on land claimed by the natives.
The supporters said they were prepared for a long stay, but changed their position after the arrival, just before 3 p.m., of Powless, who has served as a spokesman for the Six Nations protest in Caledonia.
After a private conversation with Quattrociocchi that lasted about 15 minutes, Powless told the Six Nations supporters to leave the site. He said the developer would be allowed to continue work "today, tomorrow," but not indefinitely.
"We've got to live together, co-exist," Powless said in an interview. "We realize this man's got to make a living. That's the world we live in, fact of the matter."
On Sept. 4, a small group of native protesters shut down construction at Quattrociocchi's building site, at Grand River Avenue and Jarvis Street. They claimed the project was on Six Nations land and that the developer required permission from the Six Nations Confederacy.
Following the protest, Quattrociocchi said he was asked to pay more than $50,000 to the Confederacy if he wanted to continue work. The developer refused to pay and pledged to forge ahead with work at the site. His crew resumed construction at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Powless said the Confederacy has a proposal in front of government officials that could help resolve Six Nations land claims disputes, but that he wasn't able to discuss details.
He said Confederacy chiefs have said they don't want any new protest actions while the government weighs the offer.
"We've given the government 30 days to respond," Powless said. "We're not going to jeopardize that."
Quattrociocchi said the conversation with Powless took a weight off his shoulders.
"We had pretty good discussions," Quattrociocchi said. "Obviously, we're going to have more discussions. He seems like a reasonable man.
"As long as everybody is reasonable, there's a much better chance we'll reach a solution."
As a backhoe began digging at the building site early Tuesday morning, interested residents watched from their front lawns and passing motorists slowed to take a look.
Two city police officers spoke with Quattrociocchi at the site just before 8 a.m. The developer said police asked him to call if there was a problem. An officer was stationed at the building site when Six Nations supporters arrived during the afternoon.
Neighbour Todd Grummett watched the scene Tuesday morning from the front of his home across the street from the housing development.
"I think (the protesters) should just leave him alone and let him build," Grummett said. "I don't think it's fair."
City resident Danica Vanpopic came to raise concerns about Quattrociocchi moving ahead with construction.
"Who gave you permission to come back to build?" Vanpopic said. "My money's in short supply, too, but I don't do things illegally."
At one point during the morning, a man driving a white van stopped on the road in front of the building site and yelled toward Quattrociocchi.
"After everything that's happened, you're going to ignore the Six Nations?" he said. "You're building on stolen land."
Some area residents came to voice objection to any development in the waterfront area along Grand River Avenue.
Mary Ellen Kaye, who lives on Hilda Street, brought a petition signed by 150 residents. The petition calls on the city to stop developments along Grand River Avenue to ensure public access to the river.
She said her petition has nothing to do with the dispute between Six Nations and Quattrociocchi, but is based on environmental concerns. "The City of Brantford does not have a green policy that prevents obtrusive development," Kaye said. "It's been a growing concern in our neighbourhood.
"We are asking that the city purchase the rest of the land (beside Quattrociocchi's housing development). It's zoned open space. We want it to stay open space."
Kaye said residents want the area along Grand River Avenue made into a park and nature preserve. During a sometimes heated exchange with Quattrociocchi, she expressed anger that the developer moved ahead with his building project.
"This is the beautiful Grand River," Kaye said. "How can you do this?
"The neighbours don't want these houses here."
Quattrociocchi told Kaye he conducted an environmental assessment and obtained all required permits before starting the construction project.
"If you want it as a park, then buy it," Quattrociocchi said. "Who are you to tell me what to do on private property?"
Before meeting with Powless, Quattrociocchi said he believed he hadn't seen the last of native protesters.
"As much as I would like to think this issue has been resolved, I think in the future the protesters will be back with a vengeance," Quattrociocchi said. "Everything is on a day-to-day schedule right now."
Quattrociocchi said Six Nations has legitimate land claims that need to be settled, but that it's not fair for natives to target a single developer.
"It seems I'm being targeted because I'm a small developer," he said. "I have empathy for the natives, but they should have empathy for me.
"Why not make the same (action) with (big developers such as) Brookfield and Empire Homes, who are taking 80 acres?"
Quattrociocchi said he won't be quick to start new building projects in the city.
"Right now, I'm on pins and needles," he said. "Next time I go to develop, I will have to seriously consider what I do."
The developer said work on the four duplexes should take about four months to complete.