KAREN BEST
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 05:00
Dunnville Chronicle
Local News - A crowd of 200 gathered for a rally and Remember Us walk included Caledonia residents, out of town persons and members of Six Nations.
With non-aboriginal persons dominating the audience, they released their frustration over police inaction and two standards of law. Timed purposely to fall before the Ontario election, the event was presented by Gary McHale to draw attention to the Caledonia issue and the performance of the Dalton McGuinty Liberal government.
McHale is a Richmond Hill resident who operates the Caledonia Wake Up Call website. Among the audience gathered behind the Caledonia arena on Oct. 8, a few people came forward with new ideas and reached out in an attempt to bridge the gap between Haldimand County and Six Nations residents. Elected band council Chief David General, other politicians and the Caledonia Citizen Alliance turned down invitations to speak.
John Garlow of Six Nations attended to observe any progress in Caledonia understanding of native rights. They cannot dispute the truth that this is Six Nations land and the quicker they come to that, the quicker a resolution will happen, he said.
Not too far away, Chris Teregunno carried a sign criticizing government leadership, two tier OPP justice and related economic decline. A Caledonia resident for just three weeks, he said aboriginal people in North America should be recognized distinct nations and any property owned by Six Nations be allocated back without displacing current residents.
In general, his suggestions were devised to make amends for lands stolen, to make Six Nations viable and to establish a multicultural country, explained Teregunno. The end results will stabilize the economy and restore property values, he added.
For a 15 year old girl who lives on Sixth Line, life changed when some Six Nations individuals moved onto DCE, behind her home. She said she saw men with bats and some with guns.
Subject to stares and tossed firecrackers while practicing dance routines outside, she grew frightened, sought counselling and went on medication. On Monday, she spoke out on her fight for police and justice for the seven children living on Sixth Line.
Joe Gualtieri was astounded with her story. Announcing his family wanted a public inquiry, he said answers are necessary on property ownership, two sets of laws and leadership.
His brother, Sam, is recovering slowly from injuries he suffered in a confrontation with Six Nations youths in his daughter's Stirling Woods house on Sept. 13.
In a recent meeting with federal non-aboriginal liaison David Crombie, Gualtieri asked for openness in negotiations and a two prong process to educate Six Nations and Haldimand County residents about each other. He also advocated deducting the costs of this land issue from funds provided to Six Nations by the federal government. London resident Mark Vandermaas said natives and non-natives are victimized by the same native militants due to the lack of action by OPP.
"Our political leaders feel it's okay to ignore this town for 19 months," said McHale. "There's no politician who will stand up for your rights if you won't stand up for them."
Compelled to speak after asked by a Caledonia resident, Clyde Powless of Six Nations said his people have lived with frustration for generations and their fight is with the Canadian and Ontario governments.
"People can get past this but the government has to stand up and take responsibility," he continued.
"We stand for law and we don't support violence," said Powless."Yes we do exist and we will continue to exist."
When he said he felt for the Gualtieri family, someone called him a terrorist. Powless asked why his people are called terrorists when they stand up against encroachment on their land. Someone yelled that it was sold.
As the crowd began its walk toward Stirling Woods to hang up a Canadian flag, Vandermaas asked Powless to join them. He declined.
Nearby developer Dan Valentini listened. After Six Nations persons moved on to his Hagersville construction site in May, the banks pulled out.
He later entered into negotiations with the Haudenosaunee but found out they wanted him to sign off jurisdiction. He also reported that elected Chief David General wanted developers to deal with band council.
At the edge of the Stirling Woods subdivision, people demanded entrance to a public street and recognition of their right to hang a flag on a hydro pole. An OPP staff sergeant declared that anyone who entered it would be arrested for obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty. In an attempt to calm down the situation, Gualtieri asked OPP if his nieces could put up a flag at their homes in the subdivision. His request was not granted.
Later John Kragten, one of the partners in the subdivision project, said they have a standing order with OPP to prevent entrance to any protesters - native or non-native. "I think it was a good decision. Nobody got hurt," he said.
After breaching the police line, Doug Fleming was asked to leave. When she attempted to cross, Nancy Martinello was thrown to the ground. After breaking through, Gordon Stuart, 49, of Paris was charged with assaulting a police officer, assault with intent to resist, and obstruction of police. He was released with conditions after a bail hearing on Oct. 9.
A smaller crowd was not successful in hanging a flag at the Thistlemoor barricade to DCE. By 6:30 p.m., the march ended.