Update from Grand River, January 27, 2007
I've re-attached the last update I sent out last weekend because it didn't get out to my regular circluation. It went from my laptop, and because my home computer was in for repairs, i am re-sending it to all those on the mailing list. This way, you get two at once!
On Thursday we had the main table meeting as scheduled, and if you watch CH TV 11, you'll see that the position of the Crown hasn't changed, and they've once again utilized the media as a negotiating tool as if to proclaim something new or great. It's nothing great, and it certainly doesn't offer any new evidence of any sale or lease. For that matter, it doesn't even refer to any factual cases of canadian law. The document that they refer to is nothing more than an OPINION! It is not FACT, nor is it the LAW to which we have agreed to for the negotiation process. And furthermore, it is not surprising. It is exactly what we expected. Did you really think they were going to make some great announcement and admit that they had in fact stolen our lands, stolen the lease monies, and made up deeds for all the fraudulent land sales and leases throughout the years for all those living within the tract. Not likely!
They will continue with their tactics of using the threat of courts to try and discourage us. What they failed to mention was that within that court system there are numerous cases in which the Department of Justice ('DOJ') has been found WRONG; including cases such as Guerin, Sparrow and Badger, and Dalgamuuk.....all of those cases dealing with indigenous rights. In a press release earlier today, Chief Allen MacNaughton reminded the world that "Canada is trying to rely on a Department of Justice "legal" opinion, which in reality is a political position on Six Nations land rights," and further says "The Department of Justice has taken the position, wherever possible, to limit the assertion of rights and claims by indigenous peoples to protect the Canadian public purse."
Well, we too have our own opinion with respect to what the Crown has tabled, and we have our own "legal experts" that have helped us to provide points that we tabled with the Crown on the same day. I have asked and have been given permission to share those points with you..........
1. Relying upon the position of the Department of Justice is inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the Two Row as Two Row sets out a Nation to Nation relationship and the DOJ is not a Nation.
2. Relying upon the position of the DOJ requires an assumption that the Canadian legal system is to apply to the resolution of disputes further to the Treaties and the relationship between the Haudenosaunee and the Crown. This is inconsistent and contrary to Two Row which does not allow one party to place itself in the others canoe and which does not allow one party to pull another into its ship.
3. Even IF the position of the DOJ was relevant, it would not be of assistance, as DOJ takes position that Haudenosaunee are 'Indians' or 'First Nations' which they are not.
4. DOJ takes political positions not legal positions. They have a political agenda to limit, wherever possible, the assertion of rights and claims by 'First Nations' in North America, to protect the public purse. In the course of trying to push this political agenda through the courts, they have been consistently found wrong.
So again a reminder, the LAW which they are obligated to follow, according to our relationship and ancient covenants, IS the Two Row. They have just as much responsibility to it as we do, and they have many generations of neglect, manipulation, corruption and genocide to answer to. There is nothing on that Two Row that leaves room for their DOJ opinion, there is nothing on the Two Row that allows them to defend their actions of the past, and there is nothing that they can say to absolve themselves for violating the Laws of Creation. They can only begin to right the wrongs, IF they are serious, and continue with the process of re-polishing the chain as we work our way through this peaceful negotiation process.
Does their position worry us?.............not one bit. Does our position worry them?............what do you think! Do you think the fact that they've had a complete oral history, backed up and supported by written documentation and historical evidence of facts presented to them; against their pathetic position of "we believe the courts would find in our favour" without an ounce of documentation to back it up..... it certainly should worry them. Their action and attitude of tabling this document is like being in a school yard fight when the bully gets busted for his actions, and he desperately tries to deflect away from his own actions by pointing fingers at everyone else, and making an issue of everything else but the issue at hand. They try to deter from the TRUTH. And that's all this is. Another smoke screen.
They need to get honest with their citizens. They know that they have frauded the Onkwehonweh, and they know they have frauded the people of Caledonia, as well as the rest the people living in the municipalities, towns and townships along the grand. And they know they can't continue to try and bully their way through this. This isn't the playground or school yard, and they can no longer hide behind their unilateral acts and presumptuous law. If the Crown wants to continue to challenge the Creator by undermining the Law that we are standing in defense of, so be it. As long as they understand the consequences of such actions. As I've often said........The Eye of the Eagle is Upon You, Govern Yourself Accordingly!
This morning, the Confederacy Chiefs and the Elected Band Council had another meeting together. It was a good start at looking at the issue of governance in our community, and by no means do they agree on all things, but in my opinion, it was a good beginning. By sitting down and looking at things that they do agree on, brings them another step closer to the Unity that we envision for all the Onkwehonweh. The way I see it, it was like the first step in a process of healing. For generations we have internalized the oppression that has been created by the Crown through its genocidal practices (including the implementation of the Indian Act), and we've allowed the divisions that were created as a result of that oppression to perpetuate into the weakness and divisions within our community. We've turned on each other and we've blamed each other for not being able to move forward; rather than directing that energy and dealing with the originators of that oppression. Today, we ARE dealing with our Oppressors, and we are doing so in Unity & Peace. We are doing so in accordance with the Kaierenekowah, and unlike them, we do so with respect and honour, even toward those who sit across the table from us at negotiations, all the while they continue to enforce genocide....... through the Indian Act, through forcing our people onto deck of their "ship" in their court house, and by constant interference in our canoe.
In spite of all of that, if we truly believe in doing what is right, if our heart is sincere and our mind is clear and our intent is not about what it does for ourselves, but what it does for our children and our grandchildren, and the generations to come; then we do have a commonality, and we can move forward. We can be of one heart & one mind, and we can speak with one voice, for the highest good of all concerned. And that really is, all we can ask of each other.................... It is that simple.
In Love, Light and Peace,
Hazel
----- Original Message -----
From: The Basket Case
To: Orakwa International Indigenous Ent.;
thebasketcase@on.aibn.com
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 8:08 PM
Subject: Update from Grand River, January 20, 2007
Good Morning from Grand River. I sat down at my computer yesterday morning and began my update. Many thoughts ran through my head. I had thoughts about what to write about. I had thoughts about the vision of Gary McHale once again coming into the area in an attempt to instigate violence so that it would jeopardize the negotiations that have been the focal point of a peaceful settlement for the land of Kanonhstaton between the Haudenesonne and the Crown. I thought about the people at Kanonhstaton who continually uphold the peace, and the strength that is required when idiots like McHale are allowed to continue with their white supremisct campaign of hatred and racism. I thought about the Canadian government who represents McHale and the others, and about how their law is supposed to uphold law and order and peace; and yet they are unable to do anything with the likes of McHale. I thought about the injustices that our ancestors have suffered, and about the loss and destruction of our lands and environment, that is a direct result of this system and law at the hands and hearts of the people who founded it. Then I thought about our law, the Kaienerekowah and how it encompasses all things, all of creation, and that it protects not only the people, but the lands, waters, animals, plants.......all of our environment, and I thought about the responsibility of the clanmothers, chiefs and faithkeepers who now sit in our council and are striving to uphold those responsibilities by making decisions that are consistent with our law, and therefore consistent with all of Creation. And when I thought about this, I wondered about the minds of those people who felt that man-made laws were better than the law given by the Creator when it was intended to be the basis for Peace for all people. And then I thought again about the people, all of our people, throughout all of Onkwehonweh Territories, and how we need now, more than ever, to work together as we sit in Nation to Nation dialogue with the Crown and how we continue to educate "Canada" on our relationship with the English as Allies, and how Canada, now having been given that responsibility of the crown, is responsible for upholding the obligations of the crown with respect of treaties and ancient agreements.
I thought too of my responsibility of updating the people, and of how frustrating it is to update, when your mind tells you that nothing is happening and these people have no intention of resolving this, they are only intent on dragging it out till the next election and we're back at stage one. And then my heart is given renewed hope and strength when I see our delegation continue to pressure them at the table, and force them to recognize their responsibilities, and remind them that the Law that we speak of as we sit at the table, is the Law of the Land, the Kaienerekowah; and that the relationship that we sit, with the Two Row on the table in the centre as a reminder, is as Allies, NOT as Subjects, and how they must bring their minds to this. And I thought about how our council continues to strengthen and grow as we assert our authority and continue to uphold our responsibilities. I thought about the divisions that continue to exist amongst us, and how the Crowns government has counted on those divisions. I thought about how some of the people within those divisions, who cannot see past what they perceive as their own personal power, continue to pursue their own agendas, not recognizing the danger that they bring not only to those amongst us who they view as the enemy, but also to their own children and grandchildren as they continue to try to undermine the peaceful negotiation process that has been agreed upon. I thought about how in the simplest terms and way of looking at this process, is that it's consistent with the Law. I thought about the power and ultimate greed that drives those who oppose this process, and how they are walking directly into the trap that so many of our people in the past have walked right into, and that is exactly where the crown wants them, to continue with the plan of genocide by continuing to give credence to those divisions so that the rest of the world, including the government of Canada, can say, "who is the government at Six Nations" and who has the authority to speak for them. And all of that, even before a cup of coffee!
Today, my mind is still on all of those things, perhaps a bit deeper, perhaps alot stronger, but I must say, once again, the People of Six Nations have showed their Unity and showed they are fully capable of upholding the Peace, even in the face of criticism, racism and threats. McHale came into town, and this time, was whining of how the "natives" were allowed to hang Canadian flags on the land at Kanonhstaton but how good upstanding Canadian citizens such as he and his white supremist following, are not. Yesterday, the world woke up to not only the Canadian flag flying on the small bridge across from the front of Kanonhstaton, but also the American flag, with the Two Row, the Five Nations Hiawatha Belt, and the Unity flag flying above and between them. This was done as a reminder to McHale and others that the Haudenesonne have many wonderful Canadian and American allies who support our stand at Kanonhstaton as we assert our sovereignty within our territorial lands. It was done in recognition of all of our veterans, who have served as Allies of those nations flags, and in recognition of those who continue to serve. It was also done as a reminder that the Haudenesonne, are North American, and that those borders that have been placed between those two nations, and whose flags are displayed in similar fashion as the ones at Kanonhstaton; have no bearing on us. It was also done and placed in a way, with the Two Row between them, and the Five Nations above them, to remind those citizens and governments of Canada and the United States, who were founded under the Crown, that our relationship is based on that Two Row, as Allies, and that the Five Nations Flag is above as a reminder that the English are in fact refugees in our homelands. That we were here when they arrived, and we will continue to be here if they choose to leave. That they are obligated to uphold those responsibilities to Peace as well, and that their government is not to interfere in ours. So, be it symbolic or direct, the message was delivered.
And speaking of attempts at delivering a message.........
The Crown knows and understands our history, and that our relationship is as allies, not as subjects of the crown. They also know that We were given the job by the Peacemaker, to uphold and protect the Law of the Land. And yet they continue to sit there, with their paternalistic and authoritive attitudes, giving the sense that they are dealing with people beneath them. They see the word 'allies', even in their own history books and Canadian hansards, and yet continue to treat us as children and pat us on the head as if to say, 'that's a nice little story, here's a quarter, now go along and play now and let us grown ups deal with making the decisions because we know what's best for you"........
Only this time their message was once again an attempt of making a payment. This week they released a coin commemorating Joseph Brant, who lets not forget, was the one who helped in establishing and founding this land base now known as the Haldimand Tract. And throughout history, it has been the practice of the Crown that in order to continue to usurp the authority of the Onkwehonweh, and maintain some authoritive and self perceived governance over us and our lands, they have to make a payment. Its the whole reason why the haldimand was set up in the first place, because by perceiving to 'give' us this land base, it gave them "London's bridge" that was needed between upper Canada and lower Canada, and therefore, their foothold onto our homelands. And even though we know that the haldimand was only seen by the Onkwehonweh as re-affirming lands that already belonged to the Onkwehonweh, and that some of the five nations would now be amongst those now settling here; in the symbolic or spiritual world, it was an attempt at a payment that would allow them to continue with its fraudulent place in creation as having authority over us. This is why their whole lands claims process is set up as financial compensation only, they have no intention of ever letting go of the lands they have stolen, but every time they make a financial payment as compensation, it's like a message to Creation that we've accepted it. Sorry guys, we told you in the beginning, this isn't about money. So this latest attempt, with the releasing of Joseph Brants coin, as an attempt at a payment and/or spiritual manipulation, is not accepted nor will it be tolerated, and now Creation must respond.
This week there was alot of confusion and misunderstandings when the Canadian press released information they had received from the ministry of culture about the evidence of artifacts and village sites dating back to over 800 years ago. It was thought that this finding was recent and that it was a result of the archaeology study that is currently being undertaken at Kanonhstaton. In fact, the information is from the report that developer Henco Industries and the Town of Haldimand had complete knowledge of prior to development, and that while we were aware of some parts of the report, there has never been any reports or findings of a longhouse that I am aware of, and this has caused once again, concern of what other reports are being withheld. And if you're gonna study history, or claim to be an expert in certain areas, please, please expand your knowledge by including research of the Oral History of the people of these lands, not just what Canada has put in their history books. I was amazed at the ignorance this week, of a professor of a nearby college or university who made the comment that the Six Nations had no claim to the lands we now call Kanonhstaton because the artifacts found were likely those of the Huron's. Our people have never claimed there weren't other nations here, in fact we know there were. The Haudenesonne had many Nations who had taken shelter under the Umbrella of the Great Law throughout the whole north American continent and beyond, and we were responsible to carry the voice of these other nations in relations with the crown. Not to mention the fact that we had already been given the responsibility as caretakers over the whole of Turtle Island by the Peacemaker; so we know there is a clear history of the Huron's, Wyandot & Tutello's as well as the Five Nations along the Grand River. And yes, we had our own history between us. So given the tradition of our people with respect to Oral history, we also know there are families amongst us to this day who are direct descendants of some of those other nations and that they still honour and respect their respective histories through the ceremonies that come with them, be it Huron, Wyandot or Tutello. One of our very wise and respected elders and Chief of the Cayuga Nation is amongst them, and he can tell you the history of his family and how they were adopted into the Cayuga Nation; so, yes, we not only know that we have a right to claim those lands and artifacts, we also know that we have a responsibility to those ancestors who were buried beneath them. And even though Henco and his archaeological study reports there were no burials, and the haldimand township insists there were no permits issued and therefore no soil removed from the development site, we know that our ancestors are on those lands and are guiding and supporting our reclamation.
It was brought to light at the recent main table negotiations that one of the lead federal negotiators was also the lead negotiator during the settlement with the refugees where Canada had given an apology and restitution to them for the atrocities that had been treated them upon their arrival here. It was reminded of the Crown that while it might have taken a long time for Canada to come to a settlement for those refugee's (they have stated it took 40 years), the Haudenesonne have been waiting well beyond that, and that in fact, as refugee's themselves, Canada must begin to take responsibility for the violations to the Two Row, the violation of trust, and for the interference of the Crown through its Indian Act, that has caused deep divisions and hurts amongst the Haudenesonne, and that in order to even begin to work toward a peaceful resolution at Kanonhstaton, Canada needs to begin by admitting its guilt of those violations, and by making that Apology, Restitution and Reconciliation so that the Haudenesonne can begin to heal the wounds that the Crown has caused by its interference. Only then, will we be able to begin to re-build the relationship between us, as allies, and each maintaining its obligations to those ancient agreements.
So, today, I'll end this update as we began this New Year, to reflect on the past year. For the Haudenesonne at Grand River Territory it has been a year of Unity and Strength and Assertion of our Sovereignty. We began with the reclamation of a small portion of our land base. We furthered our position by forcing the Crown to recognize and deal with the only true government of the Haudenesonne, the People, represented by the Confederacy Council. We continue to work toward resolving the governance of Grand River by opening up the communication between the many factions within our territories, and we have encouraged those factions to join us as we begin the process of creating a Vision Circle that will help with the re-birth and implementation of a Government that encompasses all of the Haudenesonne. One that is founded not only on the Principals of the Great Law, but one that truly represents our Confederacy, the Original League of Nations. One that encompasses and undertakes the responsibility that it has always known, and one that re-inforces the allowance of all of the Onkwehonweh it's protection under the shelter of that Great Tree, and one that will allow us to once again, truly speak with One Voice, One Heart, and One Mind.
Part of that vision was the return of the Confederacy Council Building to the Confederacy, and the symbolic return of the keys by members of the band council, to one of our traditional Chiefs. It was the first step toward healing the past. It was only a beginning, and one that was not supported by all; but it was viewed as the start of a resurgence of the Governance of the People, under the Kaierenekowah, and one that was necessary......for the good of all!
In Love, Light and Peace,
Hazel
Lead from 2 beads Correspondent Teresa Anahuy
Contents
January 2007 Reports
Last updated on January 28, 2007