Mohawk land here is not open for excavation at the pleasure of the band council, say fed-up residents.
About 60 people gathered at the Tyendinaga community centre earlier this week to discuss a quarry being operated off Clarence Road by band member Thomas Maracle, owner of Build All Construction. The Intelligencer attended part of Tuesday's meeting, but was instructed to leave prior to a discussion by those gathered about the quarry itself and what options are available to address concerns about its operation.
George Smart, a territory resident who was involved in organizing the meeting, said residents were asked if they want quarries and "holes across the reserve?" Through a show of hands, he said, residents said they do not want numerous quarries operating across the land there.
Smart said quarry operator Maracle was given a clear message by members of his community.
"He was told to stop the digging. He was told by the community members to stop the digging, it's not in the interest of our people," Smart said. "That's where it was left, with a show of hands the people showed they are not in favour of any more quarries."
The concerns surrounding Maracle's quarry include both environmental and communal issues. Smart said Maracle has not followed proper environmental regulations when creating the quarry and alleged some of the material removed from the site has left the territory which is a violation of territory regulations.
"He was sternly talked to," Smart said. "We told him we don't like what he's doing and we understand people need jobs, but there's a better way to do it."
Maracle, however, saw the meeting differently. Referring to the 90- minute gathering as a "witch hunt," he said there were false accusations and misinformation presented at the meeting.
The quarry, he added, continues to operate.
"We're hauling material off it now. We've got a landfill that we're finishing and it's close to being finished," he said, referring to cover fill that is being placed on a disndfill on the territory.
As for the "clear message" the crowd delivered? Maracle said Smart may report the crowd unanimously said it does not want numerous quarries operating in the territory through a show of hands, but that's not the way he saw it.
"They sort of asked the question four different ways and five times ... Other issues did come out of it. It wasn't just the one quarry because there's dozens of pits and quarries on the territory," he said. "The meeting did turn around a bit to address some of the broader issues that (council) may need to put in some legislation to look after some of these things that are happening on the reserve."
Smart said that may happen considering the community has now had an opportunity to voice its opinion on the matter.
He said when residents showed they do not support the operation of numerous quarries and pits in the community it means it is time to take the problem to the next level.
"We're already on the next step and we'll go to the band council and tell them this is what the people want," he said. "Now we'll just have to see if they listen."