A letter from Six Nations Council Chief William Montour asserting Six Nation's rights under the Treaty of Albany 1701 (Nanfan) and the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784 sparked a spirited discussion at Haldimand County Council Monday.
Chief Montour said, in the letter, that council's plan to sell of a portion of Paul Avenue, Dunnville infringed on Six Nation's rights and should not go forward.
"These lands should not be subject to any development or sale until Six Nations land claims are settled with the provincial and federal governments," he wrote.
He also said: "Six Nations is concerned about the overall pace and scope of development within the Grand River Tract and region. We are of the view that the cumulative effect of this development has and is increasingly infringing on our treaty rights and impacting our claims and interests."
He called on the county and senior levels of government to consult with the Six Nations.
Six Nations is prepared to engage in consultations "provided that they are meaningful and where the parties will work to address Six Nations rights, concerns and interests in a demonstrable plan of action," he said in the letter.
Councillor Don Ricker said the actions called for in the letter are beyond the powers and responsibilities of county council.
"This is out of our realm - it has nothing to do with us," he said.
He said the county shouldn't even receive the letter as information.
Councillor Craig Grice agreed that actions called for by the letter are beyond the county's authority.
"As far as I know we are not the Crown," he said.
However Grice said he would he would be willing to meet with Chief Montour to talk about anything he wants.
Grice also said county council should receive and respond to the letter.
Councilor Buck Sloat also said the county should respond. The county should remind the chief that council's aboriginal relation ships committee has written at least three times asking for meetings and received no response.
"I think it's time we held Chief Montour's feet to the fire. Send him triplicate copies of all the letters we sent asking for a meeting," Sloat said.
Council instructed the mayor and the county's chief administrative officer to draft a letter to Chief Montour advising him of the willingness of county representatives to meet with the Six Nation's Council and of the county's limited authority over matters of concern to Six Nations.