'Canada is a Colonial Country'
It's actually surprising there are so few native blockades, considering the violence that's been done to First Nations communities, writes Andrew Orkin.Andrew Orkin is a Hamilton-based human rights lawyer who has represented aboriginal peoples in a number of Canadian provinces and territories. He wrote this essay in The Ottawa Citizen.
Andrew Orkin, Citizen Special
Published: Wednesday, May 10, 2006
This time the Indians are occupying a new non-native subdivision on land they say is theirs in Caledonia, Ont. A court injunction issued by a non-native judge is being defied. Citing signs of Warrior involvement or the influx of Indians from other communities, the OPP raided the occupation and arrested the occupiers "without violence." Many more Indians then barricaded Highway 6.
Six Nations Band Council says the occupiers are renegades and there is no recognized land claim involved. The Haudenosaunee blockaders have allegiance only to their ancient Six Nations confederacy traditional government. They are demanding nation-to-nation discussions with the federal Crown.
Frustration grows among local non-natives. Some are claiming that Caledonia is theirs by virtue of "conquest." Ministers and the provincial and federal governments say the occupiers are "illegals" because the Indians "sold or surrendered" their land in the 1800s and now have only a reserve. At the same time, these ministers call repeatedly for a peaceful outcome.
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Read full article here.
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