In the hope of moving Haldimand forward, Craig Grice wants to meet with Six Nations.
"Something needs to happen with Douglas Creek Estates," Grice said during a recent Council in Committee meeting, referring to the controversial land parcel that was claimed as a native territory by Six Nations citizens in 2006.
"Let's talk to Six Nations so we can move forward; not just for Caledonia residents, not just for Six Nations; but for all Haldimand County residents," said Grice, a member of the Caledonia Douglas Creek Estates Liaison Committee. "It's a chance for us to move forward and our community has been stuck in the middle of a bad situation."
Councillor Buck Sloat said he agrees the topic needs to be revisited, but "would like to meet Council to Council and have everybody there at the table to discuss it again."
Councillor Tony Dalimonte said that he understands Grice's intent to reopen talks.
"I agree the community deserves to have something done on this property, but I think we should meet face-to-face because the first time we did, that was a real eye-opener and quite obvious that the Chief didn't speak on behalf of all the Councillors," he said, referring to members of Six Nations Elected Band Council.
"To me, it would make more sense that we meet as a body first and I would like to see if they have a majority who believes something should be done. Then we can set up a committee and see who would be appropriate to be on that committee. I thought the invitation was there for us to go back to their Council chambers, but that didn't happen."
"I believe we need to go in with an agenda item," said Councillor Don Ricker. "I think if you go in without a specific item, we'd be no further ahead. My interpretation of a committee is you need a specific agenda item."
Grice said the committee's makeup, for the time being, is secondary to communicating. "The goal is to establish a mutual committee to discuss DCE," he said, "so we can get specific answers to questions. What is important is that we open the door to dialogue and hopefully, we get some beneficial talks going, with the other levels of government getting involved later. This gives us a chance to take the lead for Haldimand County."
"I'd be more than happy to participate in settling the land claim, but from my perspective, I clearly feel we made some headway," said Sloat. We need to meet Council to Council."
"I agree," said Dalimonte, "that in the only meeting we had, we didn't go around in circles. At least three or four of their councillors talked about the same issues as us.
I heard some very positive things around the table and from the Chief, so what I'm looking for is a meeting between the two bodies that says in some sense that we're willing to work together. Otherwise, I see this as a disaster.
I think if we work together, we can create some betterment in both communities."
"The lines were clearly drawn," said Councillor Lorne Boyko; "them and us, but when we talked about the 'elephant in the room' they found out we've been putting pressure on the other levels of government and they wanted us to go with them arm-in- arm. Our focus is our residents in Haldimand County. Their focus is their land claims. I'm concerned that if we sit in a room with all of us and all of them, it will be a free-for-all and we will have no idea if there's a next step for looking for a mutual resolution at DCE."
"I think we're over-analyzing," said Grice. "I was trying to find out whether we can get people to discuss the 'elephant in the room' which is causing a number of effects on people in both communities. It's a symbol of neglect to everyone. The issue has to be dealt with. You can move an issue forward if you're willing to talk."
Despite opposition from Ricker and Dalimonte, the motion was carried that Haldimand County, in the spirit of cooperation, would contact Six Nations to gauge Council's interest in establishing a mutual committee to discuss equally beneficial options for Douglas Creek Estates, and that once the committee has been established, the provincial and federal officials be invited to supply appropriate representation to ensure beneficial talks and agreements receive comment and timelines for implementation.
At the Feb. 16 Council meeting, Mayor Marie Trainer announced that Chief William Montour would like to host a March meeting between the Six Nations Elected Band Council and Haldimand Council.
"The Chief has indicated he wants to get together with us and I see no reason to start another committee," said Sloat, adding that he was appalled to find out that the Mayor and Councillor Grice were scheduled to meet with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs at a Tim Horton's in Brantford last Friday.
"How serious can we take this?" asked Sloat. "This is a shame. This is a scam. What kind of business can we conduct at 7 a.m. at Tim Horton's? This is a disgrace. You could meet them on the 401 with the same amount of effectiveness."
Grice added that while he was disappointed to learn that the Minister wanted to meet them at Tim Horton's, "I think the Minister needs to recognize that if we are to be taken seriously we will have to act appropriately. Is Tim Horton's appropriate? Probably not," stated Grice. "But we have to have the lines of communication open, just the same. This Council has tried to do a number of things to alleviate problems with DCE and smoke shacks, etc., but we are not the feds or the province, and we don't hold the keys."
Mayor Trainer agreed with Grice that while conditions may not be ideal, "We can at least have an introductory meeting" to start discussions.
"We need to bring some positive dialogue forward and provide leadership that our community needs," added Grice.
"We are not going to be able to solve the land claim issue, but we can open up dialogue that moves our County forward and that's what we need today."