I don't know how much Gatherers know of Canadian history, but to put it in a nutshell, "the white man" pretty much invaded this land and violently took most of it over, much to the chagrin of the Native Indians who were here at the time. Over the years, the Natives have tried to keep the small tracts of land that they managed to save from "the white man's" progressive and polluting hands. Contracts were signed with the Goverment of Canada stating their rights to various natural reserve areas.
About three months ago, two brothers who are land developers somehow managed to purchase a parcel of land about 25 miles from where I live. Unfortunately, this land forms part of the Six Nations Indian Reserve. Over the weeks since the purchase, the Natives have protested by placing roadblocks in and around a small town called Caledonia, including one on a major highway. Residents, on the other hand, have stood by helplessly as their businesses suffered and they went miles out of their way just to get in and out of the town.
My daughter and I drove out that way about a week ago and had quite the time trying to get around, as several roads were blocked. As well, members of the Ontario Provincial Police appeared on pretty much every other corner. All along, the OPP has been present to help stem any potential violence resulting from the blockades.
Well, last night all hell broke loose as thousands of residents, who are both angry and frustrated, and the Natives at the blockades confronted each other. Fists were flying and the OPP tried their best to restore calm. A transformer station was set on fire and hydro was out in Caledonia and surrounding area for several hours. Earlier in the day, the Natives had removed one blockade as a goodwill gesture. However, when the residents reacted with violence, they not only replaced it, but tore up the road as well.
Tensions have escalated in this small town as the Natives try to fend off the development of new homes on part of their land. Meanwhile, the government claims it is doing all it can to resolve the issue. Last night, a number of people were hurt in the clashes.
Native protests like this are actually not new in Canada. There was a violent confrontation at Oka, Quebec in 1990 and another at Ipperwash in 1995, where Native protester Dudley George was shot and killed. I just hope this matter finds a quick resolution, before it escalates to that point here.
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Comments: 15
Thank you for sharing this. We don't hear a lot of news out of Canada...and even less about the Native Americans.
It is sad to see that even in our "modern" times, we are seeing things stolen from the Native Americans in a way not too different than before.
you get to sleep at night?
I too, appreciate first hand news from Canada.
Peg: That is a good question and one that I'd like to know. How did the developers buy the land in the first place? Hopefully, we will find out.
Update: Today, some of the residents of Caledonia met with some of the Natives at one blockade and together, they agreed to take the blockade down. They stressed that the violence previously was frightening and they did not want it to continue or increase. This act was seen as a goodwill gesture on both sides.
Martha, if you are into denigrating
"the white man." I go there often
and have yet to be disappointed:
http://feministblogs.org/
Canada's history has many incidents of whites taking land from Native Peoples that wasn't theirs to take. Payment was promised for the land, but never given. I am white, but feel that the Natives had been taken advantage of time after time. It's about time that they stood up for their rights and kicked the white man off land that they've stolen. A while back I also wrote an article on this subject. Thanks for sharing your views on this situation.