The 2:00pm deadline on March 22, 2006 has come and past as protesters stood strong in their efforts to stop a pattern of encroachment of Native lands that dates back to hundreds of years and continues right up to present day.
Some respected members of the Six Nations territories have publicly stated that “6 miles on either side of the Grand River” land claims issue is far greater and much more important than the issues surrounding the Caledonia development.
Today, there was a strong showing of support protesters who have publicly stated that they are tired of allowing encroachment to occur as the big wigs wait in limbo while the Federal Government of Canada employs endless delay tactics as part of their negotiation strategy.
On one hand, some people are saying this development is only an inch in comparison to Haldimand Proclaimation Treaty (not to be confused with the Haldimand deed) area, six miles on either side of the Grand River from it’s mouth to it’s source. There is a lot of land that must be dealt with using the proper protocol. It is logical that community resources and energy would be better spent dealing with the bigger picture.
On the other hand, some people recall the old adage, “You give ‘em an inch, they take a mile”. The protesters appear to be saying, “no more inches, please”.
A view of the before and after Maps of Six Nations Lands quickly illustrates the point that “inches” are all that’s left for this rapidly growing Onhwehon:we community.
...What to do? Would it help if more Canadians actually knew the history of this area? Or, if the developer’s knew that this land is located in what appears to be (when viewed from the NASA Space Shuttle) what’s left of the Carolinian Forest for this part of Ontario (Onyatario). Protecting this area from further development may turn out to be one of many benefits to Caledonia, to Ontario and to North America.
Stay tuned for further developments in this ongoing controversy.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
