DAY 80 OF SIX NATIONS SIEGE: "LAW AND ORDER" UNDER THE
KAIANEREH'KO:WA/GREAT LAW OF PEACE
MNN May 19, 2006. It is 80 days since Six Nations people reclaimed
our land near Caledonia Ontario Canada. Yesterday we viewed some
startling footage of the Ontario Provincial Police OPP predawn April
20th attack on us. It showed hundreds of heavily armed OPP with
guns pointed at the unarmed Indigenous People. They converged on
the property from all directions. There was a convoy of ambulances.
It was obvious the OPP intended to create a situation in which there
would be many injuries and casualties. The people did not fall into
this trap. The aggression was anticipated. Our people were
mentally prepared, though our response was spontaneous. One police
van windows were smashed to reveal to everyone what they were up
to. It was full of policemen with machine guns pointed at us. One
guy walked right up to them and said, "Just give me 5 minutes
without your guns". A turning point that cemented everyone's
resolve was when five OPP beat up one of the women elders.
Culturally and historically we never harmed the women and children.
This was a complete violation of natural laws. Our people responded
with one mind. The cops looked confused, scared and some on the
verge of crying as our people moved towards them with drumming in
the background. The OPP were sternly told to leave and then walked
them out, as parents must be with misbehaving children. In spite of
all that was happening, we restrained ourselves, got them all off
and took back our land.
Some of our Men who were arrested that morning had to make a court
appearance this past week. Most did not show. The few who did
would not stand up when the judge walked into court. One man
informed them, "Your corporate colonial court has no jurisdiction
over us or our land". [Six Nations and other Indigenous people are
now asserting Indigenous constitutional jurisdiction in all the
surrounding courts, which is pissing them all off]. The judge got
angry and issued warrants for their arrest. Our men just got up and
walked out, followed by supporters and allies. The cops followed
them too but did nothing. What's this all about?
Is Canada sitting on the brink of leaving behind violence, yet not
ready to make a commitment to peace, justice and equality with the
Indigenous people? When we question them, they send in all their
heavily armed goons who can't lay down their unlawfully
asserted "colonial law". They refuse to sit down and look at the
documentary evidence that proves they don't have jurisdiction over
us. Hey! Show us who was here first? Show us where we agreed to
let you steal everything from us? Canada, change your mind and
make a firm commitment to non-violent legal actions. Fold up your
guns! Look at the documents! Obey your laws! Right the wrongs!
As can be seen, we need the solidarity and support of our brothers,
sister, friends and allies as never before. Stay strong!
Kahentinetha Horn, MNN Mohawk Nation News kahentinetha2@yahoo.com
www.mohawknationnews.com Here is Hazel's May 19th, 2006, update:
Greetings from Grand River
Here is another update. Apologies for not getting one out sooner.
We've been having many meetings on the land we've reclaimed. We're
thinking about how we can move forward. Do we remove one of the
barricades? We are discussing in particular Plank Road, also known
as Argyle Street and #6 Hwy. Can we trust the government? We all
remember our past experience has shown us that we can't take the
government's word, officially or informally. They have continually
broken their promises to us. They will say and do anything to
achieve their goal to get the barricades down. [but not to return
the land they stole from us].
On the other hand, we have to consider our People's government, the
men and women who are standing in solidarity to protect our lands,
our law, our people, our inherent rights and our sovereignty. Some
of our delegates carry our voice with them. Some of our People have
issues with them, some don't. Do we have the trust to implement our
government? Yes, we need to work at it. The answers won't come in
a day. We know we have an opportunity that our grandfathers only
dreamed about. We can't let suspicions allow that opportunity to
slip by.
We marvel at how coincidences happen that force us to look at what
we are doing and deeply question the choices we are making. A few
days ago we all agreed that the barricade on Argyle Street needed to
be cleared enough for emergency vehicles to pass through. At the
same time a lone protester against our position, with the help of
the OPP, nearly threw that to the winds. His actions were harmless,
walking back and forth in front of the police line with his own
barricade to prevent "natives" from going into [the nearby town of]
Caledonia. It was the OPP actions that were detrimental. "The
natives have a right to their protest. This individual has the
right to his". Okay, we get it! But then, one of our men who stays
in our camp was refused entry [to the site] by the OPP. The OPP
said, "He [the native] was told twice not to attempt to drive back
and forth. I don't give a f*** if he has to sit there all f*****g
night. Nobody is coming through". Not two minutes later the OPP
were directing through the local towing company that operates within
the barricaded roads, as well as a couple more non-native drivers.
Discriminatory, obviously! Phone calls were made. We got the
situation straightened out.
This incident lead us to question whether or not we should even
proceed with our attempts to show the "good will" they speak of.
Tonight we were again talking about opening up Argyle Street. We
have a commitment from the governments that an open moratorium is in
place on our stolen lands they call "Douglas Creek". They have
agreed to pay for a third party archeological study on our land
alongside our people to determine the exact areas and status of the
graves that are said to be there. They have also agreed to place
back an area of land known to them as "Burtch Correctional
Facility" under the original status of the "Haldimand Deed" of
1784. This will be a long process. There has to be an
environmental study done on the lands and the clean up. It will
take time to place the land back into the possession of the
Onkwehonweh, and not under the current land transactions as defined
by the illegal Indian Act.
Opening up one road is not being taken lightly. Just as the People
were gathering to start discussions, a young man was brought into
the camp. Our security caught him at one of the checkpoints driving
erratically and causing a disturbance. Our men took him into
custody. An inspection revealed that in his trunk was a pellet gun
and some of his army equipment (apparently he is part some "army
reserves"). His mission was to disrupt and possibly bring harm to
us. He was questioned and spoken to by some of the women. It was
determined that "he did not realize the seriousness of the
situation" and of his actions, and was turned over to the OPP. He
was taken into custody by the OPP and his car was towed. We asked
about him later at a liaison meeting with the OPP. We were told
that he probably would be charged with careless driving! A few days
ago, one of our men was shot in the face, just below his eye, from a
pellet gun or something similar. Then this guy shows up tonight.
Coincidence?? What do you think?
We know there is no way he will admit to anything, even if it is
connected to him. The eleven o'clock news said he was released from
custody. His side of the story would be revealed the following
morning. Given Channel 11's reporting history, this one will get
turned around to make us look like the guilty parties again. Are we
being tested to see how strong our convictions are in the powers of
Creation and our government system to move forward with the
decisions we make? Should we open up the road knowing that we will
have obstacles, but enough knowledge to continue? It appears that
each time we're about to make that decision, something is exposed to
us. We continue to ask for guidance. We discontinued the talks for
tonight. Everyone was feeling the emotions which might interfere
with out ability to have a clear mind. We constantly thank Creation
that we can use our sense and ability to see clearly for the highest
good of all concerned.
Caledonia residents are getting frustrated. We understand the
frustration they are feeling. They want to blame us for the car
accidents that are occurring on the detour road because of our
blockade. Do they blame their township for accidents that occur as
a result of road construction detours? Don't they have to take
responsibility for their own actions? Who do they sue for their own
neglect? Isn't the first rule of their law that they must
have "care and control" of their vehicle? One of their local radio
stations continually tries to paint the picture of our People as
being uncooperative" and "negligent", as well as "lawless"
and "villainous" [for trying to get our stolen possessions back from
the thieves]. How ridiculous is that? When we get behind the wheel
of a car and venture onto any road, we are responsible for our
actions. We know the speed limits and the rules of the road.
Common sense tells us we cannot take responsibility for the actions
of any one else. The colonialist governments and agents and
corporate media constantly tell the world that anything bad is our
fault.
We were considering opening the road on Victoria Day weekend, May
20th. This is known as "bread and cheese" weekend, commemorating
the time when Queen Victoria had given bread and cheese to the
people of Six Nations as a token of our continued alliance and
friendship for our assistance to Britain in the revolutionary war.
It was long abandoned by the crown and later taken up by the Indian
Act band council as part of "tradition". Why? The Crown has
abandoned every agreement it ever made with us. Why should we would
continue to "celebrate" it?
Tonight was a good example of how peaceful our people can be, even
when tested the way we were tonight with that [insurgent]
individual. Everyone handled it well. In fact, we mentioned to the
OPP that we could have treated their citizen the brutal way they
treated us when they attacked us on that early morning on April
20th - with pepper spray in our faces, taser guns shot at us and
bashing batons. Instead he was peacefully marched out of the camp
and delivered to his people unharmed. Did Channel 11 [of the
corporate media] put that message out there?
?? Tune in and
see for yourself. Have a good night. Talks will continue Saturday
May 20th after everyone has a chance to think about things. Take
care. Hazel
PS. Guess what? The young man we caught and turned over to the OPP
appeared on television this morning, "I was tied up, blindfolded and
tortured. This shouldn't happen in Canada". We did not do this.
It must have been the OPP! No Six Nations people were interviewed
about this. Obviously, corporate media is continuing its attempt to
defame Indigenous people.
519-445-0719 thebasketcase@on.aibn.com