The people of Six Nations are in no hurry to accept this ridiculous offer of $26 million for the Welland Canal land claim. First, the head table at the well attended meeting in Six Nations made it very clear to us that the government had advised Six Nations negotiators prior to the meeting that the offer was not a formal (official) offer! Meaning: it was merely a trial balloon sent up by the feds so they could measure our reaction.
Second, this means Ron Doering's statement to The Expositor that he is urging Six Nations to "pick up the pace of negotiations" is truly misleading in that there was no formal offer to consider in the first place! The government spin doctors continue the practice of duping the people of Brantford and Caledonia into thinking they are negotiating in good faith when, in fact, it is they who continue with their delaying tactics.
The Expositor said: "In December, the government offered $26 million to settle the Welland Canal claim alone. If this offer is accepted, the $125 million offer will be withdrawn." This is true. However, what should have been added is, the remaining items of claim (exclusive of the Welland Canal) will be negotiated separately. The Confederacy asked for an explanation as to how Ottawa arrived at $125 million dollars in the first "offer," and asked again, how it arrived at $26 million in the second "offer." No explanation has been forthcoming. Is there anyone in Brantford who can suggest even in the vaguest terms that this is negotiating with a view towards seriously settling this dispute? If there is, please be sure to explain why and how you arrived at your conclusion.
When I recall how quickly the government bailed out the Henco boys, how quickly it ponied up compensation for the Town of Caledonia which, by the way, shot themselves in the foot and are responsible for much of their own misery and loss of Indian revenue, of how quickly it found the funds to "purchase" Douglas Creek Estates and, of the latest demand of Caledonia for a further $60 million for real estate being devalued and merchants suffering from diminished revenues, I see $26 million dollars as pocket change and a condemnation of the government's claim to be negotiating in good faith! I gave the so-called "offer" the thumbs down! And until the government does get serious, my answer will continue to be "No!" $26 million? Piffle!
C.O. Garlow Brantford