By Bill Jackson – The Regional
Community builders who have established the "Haldimand Tract Good Neighbours Coalition" in
The proposal, which was pitched at a community meeting on Monday at the
"The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations agree that protests that occur on land under claim will not stop work," according to step two of the proposal. Then, "When
The coalition was formed by builders including Bawa Hotels Canada Ltd., King & Benton, Kingspan Insulated Panels Ltd., Multani custom Homes Ltd.,
In a press release, the coalition said that the impact of recent problems at development sites has been "devastating."
"Today we propose to look to the future, not to the past," said spokesman and President of King & Benton, Steve Charest, to a room full of more than 100 people.
"We do not have a magic formula," he said in the press release, "but it is important that the private sector step up to the plate and champion sustainable development that enhances the quality of life of future generations. We have a strong desire to find a resolution of outstanding (land) claims."
However one native man pointed out that natives are not protesting land but rather protecting land. He took offence to the comments made by Charest regarding protests and protesters.
"I am a protector."
Six Nations Band Chief Bill Montour said that Six Nations was granted six miles on either side of the Grand River in 1784, yet after listening to Charest "it seems that we are the cause of these land rights issues," he charged.
The land was only supposed to be surrendered to the Crown, Montour added, "but that's where this whole issue gets convoluted."
He said that non-natives used Six Nations land to line their pockets and that aboriginals were prevented from coming together to discuss their own issues. They couldn't hire lawyers to claim their land.
"Let's not dance around and talk the good talk," he said.
Other native speakers suggested that all development stop until land claims are settled.
"I don't see our people holding off for much longer," said one man, reiterating "bully-tactics" being used by developers and municipalities to keep natives off their own land, such as injunctions and bylaws.
"How do you think you're being good neighbours by getting injunctions and taking us to court?" asked one woman.
Ruby Montour, who has stopped several developments with an entourage of protesters during the past two years, said that the law of the land belongs to the Haudenosaunee. If you build on (this) land…where did you get your permit?" she asked, noting that people can create bylaws but "they don't govern me."
"You're not going to get us back in Pandora's Box ever again…we're coming out."
Charest said he intends to bring the proposal to Haldimand and Brant counties as soon as possible and thought the first meeting, which drew a fair amount of backlash from the Six Nations community, still presented an opportunity to move forward together.
"We want to get on this immediately," he said.
The proposal would also allow for Six Nations approval of archeological assessments and all new development would be based on environmental standards approved by the province and the
On hand for the inaugural meeting were several local politicians including Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer and Councillors Lorne Boyko and Craig Grice.
Trainer said she'd have to take a closer look at the proposal along with council to determine if such a process was feasible. She said a few per cent of the municipal tax dollar wouldn't necessarily be so bad, but 10% would be perhaps too much.
"Would money allow developers to be free of protectors?" she queried during a media scrum.
Provincial negotiator Chris Maher said that the proposal is still in its infancy and that it will be municipal politicians who make the decision to buy into it.
The coalition contends that "occupations" by First Nations have brought work to a halt and that investors are reconsidering investment in
"It is difficult to overstate the seriousness of the situation and the importance of finding a solution in order to protect the economic and social welfare of Six Nations, the City of
Charest said that development would give municipalities additional resources and that they would benefit from new revenue as a result.
One local developer pointed out that native protests are putting people from Six Nations out of work.
"It's the right to bread," he said. "Communities can't prosper this way."