Talks on, but barricades still up
Sun, April 23, 2006
Mohawk Chief Allen McNaughton says there's still a long way to go in
the land dispute.
By JENNIFER GRAHAM, CP
CALEDONIA -- Ongoing negotiations with governments are a good first
step toward solving a land dispute, native leaders said yesterday, but
they refused to bring down their barricades citing a still-heavy police
presence in the area.
For seven weeks, protesters have occupied a 40-hectare piece of land in
the community of about 10,000, minutes south of Hamilton.
But there was hope yesterday of achieving a resolution with word of an
agreement involving the Ontario and federal governments and the Six
Nations.
All parties will appoint representatives who will have the authority to
negotiate a draft agreement, which would then be subject to
ratification.
Mohawk Chief Allen McNaughton said the first round of talks lasted from
9 a.m. Friday to 4 a.m. yesterday, with another session scheduled to
begin late yesterday afternoon.
He said the agreement with the government was significant, but added
there's still a long way to go.
"There are still a few issues that we have to resolve -- they're not
minor ones."
Clyde Powless, a spokesperson for the protesters, said the negotiations
haven't changed much yet, but they are positive.
"They've agreed to keep on speaking, which is always a good thing
'cause if dialogue was open, I truly believe this (demonstration) would
never have took place," he said.
But Powless said talks alone are not enough to make the protesters let
down their guard.
A blue tarp was erected at one end of the barricade yesterday to
shelter protesters from a steady rain.
"I don't see (the barricade coming down)," Powless said. "We're very
tense as long as we see (the Ontario Provincial Police). We know the
RCMP's sitting at the airport. We're aware of presences all around.
"I mean put yourself here: if Canada came under attack, how much
tension would you feel?"
A spokesperson for David Ramsay, Ontario's minister of aboriginal
affairs, wouldn't say how much, if any, progress has been made in
talks, but said the signing of the agreement is a good start.
"We're working together, negotiations are continuing," said Anne-Marie
Flanagan.
The conflict stems from protesters' claims that the contested land was
taken from them. They say the Six Nations people agreed to lease the
property to the Crown, but it was unfairly sold instead.
The standoff escalated Thursday when a police raid aimed at ending the
occupation resulted in dozens more protesters descending on the scene.
At least 16 people were arrested in the initial raid.
Provincial police have since kept their distance.
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