Court warned about national native protests

"We are tired of calling on the governments of paleface peoples in America and Europe"

by Al Sweeney, CHCH News

Published: Friday, May 30, 2008

    A Brantford court got a warning today that it could be creating an angry backlash by natives across Canada.   But at the same time, the city of Brantford told the judge that it's fighting for its economic life.   Al Sweeney was in the courtroom and has this report for us.

    BRANTFORD-With an issue of native land rights being decided in the courthouse, members of Six Nations and their supporters rallied outside.
    "We are tired of calling on the governments of paleface peoples in America and Europe."
    They say natives never gave up the land they've owned for centuries in this region.
    The police blocked off streets and kept a close watch.
    In court, the City of Brantford argued for a judge to crack down on protests where work on construction sites has been blocked by demosntrators like Floyd Montour:
    "I'm just a protector of the land. I love it."
    The city of Brantford has already said the native protests have led to a development freeze that's creating an economic crisis in the town. A city lawyer went even further, saying said Brantford could face insolvency if the protests continue.
    In the long run, the city wants an order for police to arrest the protestors and for the army to be called in, an argument that could go on for weeks.
    In the meantime, it's asking for a declaration that the protests are illegal, and for the court to restore what it calls law and order.
    Lawyers for natives say that kind of an order would violate native rights and constitutional rights:
    "The risk that just exacerbates and creates more conflict."
       -Marlys Edwardh, representing natives
    A native lawyer read a statement to the judge from former Assembly of First Nations national chief Ovide Mercredi.
    He warned that the kind of order Brantford wants would escalate native resentment and could create violence beyond the control of any organized group.
    With a string of lawyers arguing over legal points and the case going on and on, the judge eventually grew frustrated, asking a senior Ontario government lawyer "am I supposed to listen to any lawyer who puts the robes on and walks into the courtroom."
    He didn't say when he'll make a decision.