CPTnet
14 June 2006

ONTARIO, CANADA: CPT-Ontario exploring assistance for Haudenosaunee land
reclamation

by John Spragge

In early spring of this year, members of the Six Nations of the Iroquois
Confederacy (the Haudenosaunee) reclaimed a parcel of land taken from the
Six Nations in a questionable transaction over a century ago. The group,
living near Brantford, ON, peacefully occupied the land after a developer
began constructing eight houses on the land, despite the fact it is legally
under dispute in Canada's land claims process.

On 20 April, Canadian police moved in to try to end the reclamation, abusing
many Haudenosaunee onsite and making fourteen arrests. In response, hundreds
of outraged Six Nations community members and their supporters walked the
police off the land later the same day.

In spite of the efforts of the Six Nations community to uphold their
traditional "Great Law of Peace," violent incidents between small groups of
non Natives and some First Nations people have occurred. First Nations
activists charge that non Natives have shouted racist epithets and thrown
firecrackers, garbage, and bottles at those camped at the reclamation site.
They report that police helicopter fly-overs are increasing.

The community has asked for and received support from other First Nations in
North America and from non-Native individuals and groups. Some Christian
Peacemaker Team (CPT) members have made exploratory visits to the site,
including an official visit in early May by Robin Buyers, Rebecca Johnson,
John Spragge, William Payne, and Esther Kern. The group brought tobacco for
the Clan Mothers, an important part of the traditional government of the
Haudenosaunee (Six Nations), along with a letter outlining the kind of
violence-reduction presence that CPT could offer.

The Six Nations have not requested an official CPT presence. They have
encouraged CPTers, however, to support the reclamation. Options for this
support include the following:

1. Attend the benefit concert at the Six Nations reserve, on Friday, 16 June
at Chiefswood Park (just outside Brantford, Ontario) starting at noon.

2. Keep up the political pressure for (A) the federal government to get
involved and (B) the authorities work in good faith toward a just
settlement. Send letters and faxes to Rt. Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development at 613 947-9475 (F)

3. Participate with the Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
campaign. The coalition is pressuring the federal government to negotiate
in good faith by contacting the opposition critics for Indian Affairs and
Northern Development: Jean Crowder (New Democratic Party) Fax (613) 993
5577 Anita Neville (Liberal) Fax (204) 992-9586 Marc Lemay (Bloq Quebecois)
Fax (613) 992 3672

Urge the opposition parties to take responsibility for joining the land
rights negotiations pertaining to the Six Nations Reserve and the
Kanenhstaton (Douglas Creek) reclamation.

4. Residents of Ontario should pressure the Ontario government to maintain
peaceful relations with the First Nations. Advocates of a violent solution
have mounted a campaign to pressure the Premier to send the police in.
People should urge him to continue his current policy of restraint.

5. Pray for a just and right outcome.