Emergency In Caledonia!!!!!!

[Wepunkwteme]

Forward this EVERYWHERE please!

Just now on the phone to Jacqueline House.... she and the other leaders from 6Nations heard that Warrants for the 5 leaders ARREST have been issued. This includes Jacqueline and Hazel Hill, and 3 others. The 6Nations leaders did NOT even go into the Cayuga Court House this morning as the police station near the Courthouse was overflowing with police cars and paddy wagons. Then they learned of the Arrest Warrants.

While on the cell phone with Jacqueline, she drove the perimeter on Unity Road going near the encampment.... SURROUNDED with police cars!!

Jacqueline has asked for me to get the word out across the Nations-

"This is a RED ALERT! We need help here from our Relatives, we need prayers of protection and help. This is NOT any kind of false plea...we are surrounded by police at this point. PLEASE come to help us if you are able!"

The 6Nations leaders are NOT going to places where they can be arrested. PLEASE, my relatives, PRAY and get there to help if at all possible.

Mitakuye Oyasin,
Wahela Bluejay

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace --

[Blackbear]

update 2:43 PM in Caledonia-

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current word is, that inside the court room, the Mayor of Caledonia, Marie Trainer, is pushing for the original injunction issued by Judge Marshall to be immediately enforced so the 6Nations people will be forcefully removed if they do not do so voluntarily. The OPP is said to be standing behind the agreements between their officers and the Canadian Government appointed negotiators (such as former Premier Peterson) to NOT enforce the injunction orders issued by the court. That is actually a bit helpful to 6Nations as it reinforces the fact that the negotiations were taking priority over the injunction orders.

Also, revealed today was the fact that Judge Marshall is now known to be in a conflict of interest THREE ways! Seems that there are new BIG TIME injunction orders being set before the Judge today by CN, the Canadian Railway. This injunction, if granted on behalf of the railroad, would force 6Nations to immediately remove any barriers and debris from blocked rail lines.

Interestingly enough, today it was revealed that Judge Marshall does indeed own land on 6Nations land. BUT! now we know that he owns 140 acres in the valley right next to the RAIL LINES... and also? He has his land up for SALE. Talk about conflicts of interest!!!

Currently, there is a helicopter located in Caledonia at a nearby school. Also, several of the cube-box vans with the marking "National" on it have returned to the Caledonia site. These are the same vans that came in the LAST time 6Nations was attacked. However, currently, things are quiet and reserved in tone. We all await word from the Courthouse as to what decisions will be mandated. That will be the critical point for 6Nations.

More updates as soon as I hear from those inside the area.
__________________

[Kiwehnzii]

The original post in this thread goes to extremes. Facts should be checked before posting. Anyways, that judge is a redneck.

Good info, Blackbear.

[middle of the sky]

yeah were ready to march and block a bridge out here again...


<--in vancouver bc canaduh

[NCheyGirl21]

The original post in this thread goes to extremes. Facts should be checked before posting. Anyways, that judge is a redneck.

Good info, Blackbear.

I agree! Good info!

[Blackbear]

The information actually comes from the same person... it's just that the one I posted came later in the day than the one that Wepunk made. The person that sent it out is'nt really a sensationalist. There was a an update before his that was'nt posted but to help give insight I suppose I should post it for you...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:15 PM Caledonia time- voice mail message in to me from Jacqueline. She said that the OPP Liaison, Ron George contacted 6Nations representative, Dick Hill and told him that the high number of OPP around Caledonia are there due to a huge community "Yard Sale" being held and they were concerned about any outbreaks of violence from that going on. Jacqueline reminded me that this same kind of "reasoning" was used about OPP training exercises going on when the OPP attacked 6Nations the first time.

A call directly to Kimberly and David Maracle who are there on the site in Caledonia, revealed that thought the OPP, numbering over 100 currently, are NOT moving in right now, but they are moving around them on 4 wheelers and circling the encampment site.

Jacqueline said in her voice mail to me that the 6Nations leaders are awaiting word from the Court House in Cayuga as to what this Judge Marshall will issue in terms of mandating his civil injunction orders or not. THAT decision will be the primary turning point as to the acceleration of potential violence on the site knowing that the 6Nations people are probably NOT going to leave that site.

More updates as soon as I receive them.

Serving in Peace,
Wahela Bluejay

[RedShield]

Of course you don't hear of any of this down in the states!

Why would the government or the press want to interupt their coverage of important issues (or at least in their opinion) of such pressing issues as gay marriage and flag burning to take a look at issues such as native relations in another country (heck they don't even do that here!)

Makes me sick! A big thanks to powwows.com for getting the word out, thanks blackbear for the updates. Many prayers to our brothers and sisters up north!

Paselo

[RedShield]

What's the latest news from Caledonia?

[Blackbear]

_http://www.ontla.on.ca/hansard/house_debates/38_parl/Session2/L087.htm_
(http://www.ontla.on.ca/hansard/house...sion2/L087.htm)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO
Thursday 8 June 2006

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): My question is for the Minister of
Community Safety. Minister, in today's Toronto Star there's an alarming
report that calls into question the safety of OPP officers policing the Caledonia
land occupation. The Ontario Provincial Police Association says that public
image is being placed ahead of officer safety and law and order. Can you tell
us if officer safety is being put at risk at Caledonia, and, if yes, what
are you doing about it?
Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services):
The member from Leeds-Grenville, of anyone in this House, should know that I
have no responsibility for directing the OPP as to what they do and how they
do it.
I have utmost confidence in OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface. She is
internationally recognized as a top police officer. I have confidence in the senior
management of the OPP. They make decisions based on their need to provide the
citizens of Ontario with the safest police force that they can have.
Mr. Runciman: The Star report indicates that so far, 100 days into the
longest occupation in Canadian history, 13 officers have been injured. It also
states that officers are not being allowed to wear appropriate safety gear, for
optical reasons. These are the sons and daughters, husbands and wives, moms
and dads who don't know if they'll be coming home unharmed because they're not
in proper uniform.
One of your responsibilities as top cop is to stand up for front-line
officer safety. Earlier this week, you blamed OPP officers for making what you
described as a wrong turn that resulted in them being assaulted and run off
occupied property. Minister, when are you going to put political imagery aside, do
your job, stand up for officer safety and insist that front-line officers at
Caledonia be equipped with the appropriate safety gear?
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: Just to correct the record, I did not blame the OPP
officers for making a wrong turn; I just stated that they did. I wasn't
apportioning any blame to them; I was just stating the facts.
The other situation is that any equipment that is required, any dress that
is required, any operational issues that are required are the sole
responsibility of the OPP. If there are any concerns that people have, particularly the
president of the OPPA -- he knows the procedure; he knows that he should be
contacting the commissioner. As a matter of fact, I understand he is planning
to do that as we speak.
This is a situation where when you talk about political posturing, we have a
situation where the Leader of the Opposition was in Caledonia, bragging
about how he's been there several times, and he has not once talked to the OPP.
How does he know what's going on there when he's never talked to them?
Mr. Runciman: I wonder how many times the Minister of Community Safety has
been to Caledonia. Zero.
We are now beginning to see public concern among police officers forced to
work in the politically correct world of Dalton McGuinty. Political optics
trump front-line officer safety: Don't do or wear anything that could
potentially damage the image of the Liberal government.
Minister, knowing you as I do, I'm sure you are personally concerned about
the safety situation: 13 officers injured to date. I ask you to override the
political manipulators in Mr. McGuinty's office and insist that officers at
Caledonia can wear the appropriate safety equipment. These officers and their
families deserve to know that their safety, not optics, is your government's
first priority.
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I hold a challenge out to the member from Leeds-Grenville:
If you can prove to me that anybody -- anybody in my ministry, anybody in
this government -- has in any way directed the OPP to do anything, then we can
discuss your concerns. I would suggest to you that you have a responsibility
to correct the record, to suggest that we in fact are interfering with the
operation of the OPP.
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.
Mr. Ted Chudleigh (Halton): My question is to the minister of native
affairs. This week, Dalton McGuinty referred to the Caledonia standoff as being one
"without incident," this after 13 police officers have been injured; tire
fires have been seen for miles; there was an electricity blackout involving more
than 9,000 people and businesses caused by sabotage of a transformer
station; there were brawls between protesters and other Caledonians; a security
guard's car was burnt to the ground; paved Ontario roads were being dug up by
heavy machinery; two OPP officers were reportedly held by protesters for
entering a no-go zone, and on and on. Clearly, Minister, Mr. McGuinty is out of
touch with what is going on in Caledonia. If not, why would he have said such a
thing?
Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for
aboriginal affairs): I was in the House when the Premier give that response,
and I know exactly what the Premier was responding to. Basically, your party,
the official opposition, was asking questions that were suggesting there
should be stronger action being brought to bear on this situation rather than the
approach that we have taken of negotiation.

[Blackbear]

What the Premier was saying was,
unlike some of the incidents in the past where there have been deaths --
there was a death at Oka and there was a death, as we know, at Ipperwash. What
the Premier was stating was that we did not have an incident of loss of life
like that here, and that it's because of the cool manner we've taken and
proceeded with in trying to resolve this issue.
1450
Mr. Chudleigh: I beg to differ with you. Caledonia has undergone more than
100 days of hardship, with no solution in sight. Businesses have suffered.
People have been hurt. The community is torn in half. Youth sports are now being
cancelled or boycotted. For Mr. McGuinty to describe this standoff as one
"without incident" is at best insensitive and insulting to the injured OPP
officers and the entire community of the Caledonia area. The Premier has
trivialized this standoff from the beginning, and his lack of leadership is
inexcusable.
Minister, will you, on behalf of your government, apologize for the
Premier's remarks, his insensitive remarks, of this week?
Hon. Mr. Ramsay: It appears we're going to be here all afternoon, I suppose,
debating semantics, and you can do that if you wish.
What I want to say to you is that Premier McGuinty has put all the resources
of the Ontario government behind resolving this issue, and that's from day
one. We've been doing that and working with the people of Caledonia, and you
know the help that we've brought to the community: the $500,000 that the
Minister of Economic Development and Trade has brought to the community; the work
we've been doing with the Six Nations community. You know it's a complex and
difficult issue. Today, the long-term table, with Jane Stewart and Barbara
McDougall, are talking as we speak today, and we're working towards a
resolution.
Mr. Chudleigh: Dalton McGuinty has been missing in action when it comes to
the standoff in Caledonia. All we have heard is desperate spin about
instructing police officers, how motions passed in this Legislature are nothing but
mischievous and how this situation is without incident or physical harm.
Minister, your Premier's irresponsible and inexcusable spin job exemplifies
his inability to show real leadership on this particular issue. You and your
Premier need to tune in to what is really going on down there, and you can
start by retracting and apologizing for Dalton McGuinty's insensitive remarks
about the standoff being without incident. It is not even close to being
accurate, and the record should be corrected here in the House today. Will you do
that, Minister? Will you apologize and confirm that the Premier's comments
were inaccurate and wrong?
Hon. Mr. Ramsay: On many occasions in this House in response to questions,
all of us on the government side have stated how saddened we were by the
incredible disruptions to people's lives that have happened down in the Caledonia
area. It has affected the community, it has affected businesses, and we have
tried to support and respond to those concerns.
I would say to you, in talking to Jane Stewart this morning before she went
into negotiations, that we are confident that we have a good engagement with
the Six Nations leadership. We're going to have some good, productive
discussions today, and our goal and our aim here are to solve this situation for the
betterment of the community at large in Caledonia and the people of Six
Nations.
NATIVE LAND DISPUTE
Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): My question today is for the Minister of
Community Safety and Correctional Services. Minister, as you know, the
general headquarters of the OPP is located in my riding of Simcoe North in the
city of Orillia. We're very proud of their strong presence and community
involvement. I speak to officers virtually every day, and lately the discussion is
about Caledonia. Officers have told me that the officers at Caledonia feel
like the meat in a sandwich. They are the sons and daughters, brothers and
sisters, and mothers and fathers of Ontario families. These men and women put
their lives on the line every day.
Minister, the president of the OPPA has criticized the government for the
lack of support involving equipment and clothing used under normal procedures.
The officers have been told not to wear riot gear and tactical uniforms when
dealing with native protesters. In today's Toronto Star, Susan Clairmont's
column, President Walsh of the OPPA made a statement on this very issue: "Due
to the political pressures and optics involved with this, the OPP seems to be
bending their own rules while sacrificing officer safety."
The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question's been asked.
Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services):
I assume there was a question that was contemplated in that statement. I'll
try to anticipate what it is.
As I told the member from Leeds-Grenville, the OPP is directed by
Commissioner Gwen Boniface and her command officers. They make the determinations as to
what their officers will be doing. It is their responsibility. In
conversations I've had with the commissioner over time, she has not in any way ever
indicated that they lack resources, that they lack manpower. She has said they
are equipped to deal with the situation as they find it. I have a great deal o
f confidence in the OPP. I have confidence in their leadership, and I have
confidence in all the men and women who serve this province so ably.
Mr. Dunlop: Minister, it is clear that OPP officers' safety is in jeopardy
because of political optics. Further in today's Toronto Star, President Walsh
makes two more statements in reference to this issue: "It's okay to have an
officer ... in tactical uniform at Wasaga Beach on a long weekend, but it's
not okay in Caledonia." The second quote is, "But these officers were ordered
not to wear them for optical purposes." Minister, do you agree with the
statements made by OPP President Walsh?
Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I have no ability to disagree with him because this is an
internal operational issue of the OPP. If Karl Walsh, the president of the
OPPA, has a problem with the direction the OPP is taking, it's up to him as the
president of the OPPA to direct his concerns to the commissioner. It is my
understanding that in fact that is what he is doing. To suggest that I should
get involved in an operational issue that is the responsibility of the OPP
and the concern of the OPPA is just not true. That's not something I am
entitled or enabled to do.

[Blackbear]

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE

_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/June2006/08/c7946.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../08/c7946.html)



ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE (http://www.opp.ca/)
>_TELL A FRIEND_ (javascript:sendToFriend(0)) >_PRINTER FRIENDLY_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv...tml?view=print)
>_SUBSCRIBE TO PORTFOLIO E-MAIL_
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Attention News Editors:
OPP Presence in Caledonia Supports Peaceful Resolution
ORILLIA, ON, June 8 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues

to monitor and maintain public safety at the site of the Caledonia occupation

as the protest by members of the Six Nations reaches day one hundred.
OPP officers remain in place at Caledonia to keep the peace while

negotiations continue with the aim of achieving a peaceful resolution to this

difficult situation. Operational decisions, such as the uniforms and equipment

to be worn by officers, are made in a manner that promotes the safety of all

members of the community, including OPP officers.
"The well being and safety of officers is always a priority," says

Commissioner Boniface. "The OPP is committed to working through the occupation

without significant injury to anyone involved."

For further information: Contact: Sgt. Dave Rektor, 1-866-437-5621

[Blackbear]

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This Message Is Reprinted Under The FAIR USE
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_http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html_
(http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html)
************************************************** ******************
FROM: THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR NEWSPAPER
_http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/La
yout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1149803411365&call_pag eid=1020420665036&col=1
014656511815_
(http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NAS...l_pageid=10204
20665036&col=1014656511815)
OPP Officers Getting Unfair Rap: Residents


Sheryl Nadler, the Hamilton Spectator
An OPP officer stands watch yesterday in Caledonia where OPP officers are
often taunted and feel their safety is compromised.

(http://ads.thestar.com/event.ng/Type...0,72,85,93,100,
110,150,152,230,284,342,409,422,449,6149,6177,6265 ,6321,6323,6396,6398,6406,64
07,6408,6409,6419,6442,6443,6444,6656,6661,6677,66 79,6681&RawValues=TID,327832
0122eklt&Redirect=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pag
ename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1149242525369)
(http://ads.thestar.com/click.ng/site...ws&position=bi
gbox&HChannel=news) Some in Caledonia feel police aren't allowed to do their
job
By Paul Legall
The Hamilton Spectator
CALEDONIA (Jun 9, 2006)
The OPP officers assigned to the native standoff did little to bolster the
confidence of the people they're supposed to protect by admitting they are
concerned about their own safety.
"How can they be expected to protect a town of 10,000 if they feel unsafe
themselves?" a Thistlemoor Drive resident told The Spectator.
But the citizen, who identified herself only as Christy, was pleased the
officers had publicly revealed concerns about their ability to enforce the law.
"As a Caledonia resident, it is wonderful to see the OPP front-line officers
are finally speaking up and telling their superiors they are tired of not
being protected themselves," added the woman whose home backs onto Douglas
Creek Estates.
She was reacting to comments Wednesday by Karl Walsh, president of the
Ontario Provincial Police Association.
In an interview with The Hamilton Spectator, Walsh accused the OPP brass of
bending the rules and compromising officer safety because of political
pressures and "optics."
He said officers are often left without proper backup and aren't allowed to
carry riot gear or wear tactical uniforms while dealing with native
protesters. So far, 13 officers have been injured policing the standoff. Most of the
officers are from other departments across the province and were brought in
specifically to police the protest.
Walsh's comments marked the first time anybody representing the rank and
file officers had spoken out since the native occupation of Douglas Creek
Estates started 101 days ago.
In a press release, OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface said, "The well-being and
safety of officers is always a priority. The OPP is committed to working
through the occupation without significant injury to anyone involved."
The release said operational decisions, such as uniforms and equipment to be
worn, are made in a way that promotes the safety of all members of the
community, including OPP officers.
Starting with a core group of 18 protesters, the natives now have the
40-hectare subdivision completely sealed off with an elaborate system of
barricades, encampments and lookout points. They have a sophisticated security network
and can bring in hundreds of supporters to the site on short notice.
On April 20, native protesters wielding clubs, shovels and other crude
weapons were able to drive back dozens of OPP officers who had entered the
occupied area in an abortive effort to evict the natives. It was the first and only
time they've attempted to enforce a court order directing the natives to
leave the site and their inaction has prompted charges they're allowing people to
break the law with impunity.
But some residents -- like the Thistlemoor Drive resident -- feel the police
are getting an unfair rap.
"I feel bad for them. They seem to be hanging their heads because the town
people have shown so much disrespect for them," she said.
She added they're often taunted and assailed with epithets such as "Pig"
when they try to do their job.
A young mother, who identified herself only as Chris, said she understands
why the officers have safety concerns.
"I think they're doing the best they can within the limits they've been
given," she said.
Local businessman Ken Hewitt, a spokesperson for the Caledonia Citizens
Alliance, said police morale has suffered because they aren't allowed to do their
job. "OPP morale is at an all-time low. I mean, they enlisted and signed up
to uphold the law and they see the law broken because their bosses are
telling them not to engage for political reasons," Hewitt said.
Like other residents, he believes the OPP brass's attitude has been coloured
by the Ipperwash fiasco 11 years ago when an OPP tactical team shot and
killed native protester Dudley George during the occupation of a park.
"I think it's very clear you can link the actions in Ipperwash with
decisions made today. They've been walking on eggshells," Hewitt said.
He believes there were about 500 officers in the Caledonia area the day they
tried to enforce the injunction. But the numbers have fluctuated since then
and went down dramatically after politicians at Queen's Park complained it
was costing millions to police the dispute.
His biggest fear is that somebody will do something stupid -- like crashing
through a native barricade -- and create a confrontation the police won't be
able to control. "If some hothead decided to go off the deep end and do
something stupid, there wouldn't be enough officers to protect anybody," he said.
Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer also praised the police for their
candour.
She said she has spoken privately with a number of officers who are
frustrated with the constraints.
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
905-526-3385

[Blackbear]

************************************************** ******************
This Message Is Reprinted Under The FAIR USE
Doctrine Of International Copyright Law:
_http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html_
(http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html)
************************************************** ******************
FROM: THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR NEWSPAPER
_http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/La
yout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1149803411359&call_pag eid=1020420665036&col=1
014656511815_
(http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NAS...l_pageid=10204
20665036&col=1014656511815)
Finley: Send Cops To Clear Out Natives


Sheryl Nadler, the Hamilton Spectator
Tom Bernard, a member of the Caledonia Citizens Alliance which helped
organize the sign campaign, says the response has been strong and the signs may be
extended to other politicians such as Premier Dalton McGuinty.

(http://ads.thestar.com/event.ng/Type...0,72,85,93,100,
110,150,152,230,284,342,409,422,449,6149,6177,6265 ,6321,6323,6396,6398,6406,64
07,6408,6409,6419,6442,6443,6444,6656,6661,6677,66 79,6681&RawValues=TID,327832
0122eklt&Redirect=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pag
ename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1149242525369)
(http://ads.thestar.com/click.ng/site...ws&position=bi
gbox&HChannel=news) MP wants Caledonia returned to 'normalcy'
By Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator
CALEDONIA (Jun 9, 2006)
Federal cabinet minister and local MP Diane Finley is urging Queen's Park to
send police into a housing site occupied by native protesters to clear them
out in an effort to return the town to "normalcy."
The human resources minister's comment is contained in a letter sent
yesterday to a constituent about the three-month occupation of Douglas Creek Estates
as talks resumed between federal, provincial and Six Nations officials on
the land claim surrounding the Argyle Street site.
It also comes as a group of residents, upset with Finley's handling of the
dispute, mounted a lawn sign campaign to embarrass her into more visible
action.
The Haldimand-Norfolk Tory MP's comment is in a letter to Tom Bernard, a
member of the Caledonia Citizens Alliance which helped organize the campaign
featuring lawn signs that ask: "Has anyone seen Diane Finley? Leadership?"
The minister says talks between Ottawa, Queen's Park and Six Nations are
important in the long-term resolution of land claims, but she continues to push
for the "short-term resolution" for the protest site.
"I continue to strongly urge the provincial government, which is responsible
for all matters relating to policing, to clear the protest site so that our
community can return to normalcy," Finley said.
The OPP raided Douglas Creek Estates April 20 and arrested 16 protesters. A
few hundred natives and their supporters rushed to the site and police left
after only four hours. The raid led to native barricades being erected on two
roads and a rail line -- the Argyle Street barricade was removed May 23 --
and fisticuffs between townspeople and their native neighbours.
Finley was unavailable for comment, but her spokesperson Colleen Cameron
said the letter was just a regular update on Ottawa's actions surrounding the
dispute.
"I'm not sure she's intending to elaborate on those letters, which are
intended to go to constituents," Cameron said.
Bernard said he was amazed at the comment.
"That was incredible when I saw that. That is totally out of line . . .
That's not the solution. It's past that now."
Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer didn't know if another OPP raid was
"feasible" given the results of the first one. She said, however, she
understands where Finley is coming from.
"Somehow we have to get back to the rule of law in Haldimand County, but I'm
not too sure what the best way to do that is," said the mayor. "It's so
upsetting to everyone. It just seems a disrespect for the laws and Canada."
Finley has been accused of being invisible in dealing with the standoff. She
has countered that she talks every day with federal Indian Affairs Minister
Jim Prentice and has been to Caledonia to talk to people affected or involved
in trying to end the crisis.
Bernard, who has met with provincial negotiator David Peterson, said he has
never met Finley or received a phone call.
He doesn't doubt she is working behind the scenes, but said, "The people of
Caledonia don't see that, we don't feel it, we don't experience it. We don't
see her doing anything ... Leadership in a vacuum of communication is not
leadership."
In her letter, Finley said the best thing she can do is make, "my voice
heard by the parties who are working to resolve it."
She said she has been to the protest site several times. "It was not to have
my photo taken and/or attempt to persuade people that I am frustrated by
what's going on ... I, too, wish I could march in there and remove the
barricades myself. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way."
Bernard said organizers have printed 250 signs and are selling them at $7
apiece. He hopes the move will push Finley to become more visible and, "refocus
the federal government's efforts on getting this thing resolved."
Bernard said organizers have had a great response and may expand the sign
tactic to others, such as Premier Dalton McGuinty.
In other news, Haldimand lifted a state of emergency for Caledonia
yesterday. It had been in place since Victoria Day after a blackout caused by a
vandalism attack on two transformers.
Hydro One has told the county everything is back to normal.
Trainer said Ontario has given Haldimand an additional $160,000, on top of
$50,000, to market Caledonia and help its business community.
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
905-526-3351

[Blackbear]

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FROM: THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR NEWSPAPER - EDITORIAL
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yout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1149803411157&call_pag eid=1020420665036&col=1
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20665036&col=1112188062581)
Top Cops Must Back The Ranks

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(http://ads.thestar.com/click.ng/site...pectator&SubCh
annel=news&position=bigbox&HChannel=news) By Lee Prokaska
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 9, 2006)
It's disturbing that Ontario Provincial Police officers on duty in Caledonia
don't feel safe.
Even more disturbing is that in the flurry of worry over the safety of
native protesters and non-native Caledonians, the safety of the police officers
was not even publicly raised for discussion until 100 days into the Douglas
Creek Estates protest.
These are the people we count on to keep the peace; the ones we look to for
protection, for assurance. Yet, in Caledonia, it seems that appearances have
won over standard operating procedures, politics have trumped basic policing
and concerns about front-line cops have been ignored.
The officers have legitimate concerns about their own safety. They have been
called upon to keep the peace in circumstances fraught with anger and
frustration. They have reason to fear for their own safety, particularly after two
out-of-town officers were surrounded by some 40 angry natives after the
officers made a wrong turn into a "no-go" zone.
We should be concerned with what the front-line officers' feelings say about
the top brass of the provincial police. It is understandable that the OPP
doesn't want to find itself in a mess like Ipperwash, in which a native
protester was shot to death by an OPP officer.
But there is a significant difference between making reasonable efforts to
avoid a repeat of that sorry incident and not allowing officers to do the jobs
for which they are trained.
OPP officers have been told not to wear riot gear or tactical uniforms when
dealing with the native protesters, even in circumstances that would normally
call for the gear -- often enough in itself to deter angry mobs and ensure
the safety of the officers.
There is the possibility OPP brass made the tactical decision that
paramilitary outfits might inflame rather than subdue. There may be a reasonable
explanation for such a decision. But ensuring positive appearances is not
justification if it leaves front- line officers feeling vulnerable, unsafe and
hesitant.
The OPP is already perceived by many non-native Caledonia residents as
largely ineffective. Officers have told their union they aren't sure they would
have the backing of commanding officers and the courts when they try to uphold
the law. That surely leaves the rest of us wondering if the OPP can handle
these types of protests in future. If there's a leadership issue, it needs to
be resolved. And front-line concerns must not be ignored for the sake of
optics and politics.

[Blackbear]

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FROM: THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR NEWSPAPER - LETTERS TO EDITOR
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Natives Boxed The Wrong Ears To Get Attention
By William R.J. Costello, Stoney Creek
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 9, 2006)
Re: 'Native rights upheld in law' (letter, June 7)
I read with sadness this letter stating the Caledonia native viewpoint of
the rights of indigenous peoples and the obligation of the Canadian population
to support them.
The letter writer describes the native protests as justified and the
counter-protests of the townsfolk as "racist-based."
Like perhaps most non-native Canadians, I agree with much of the natives'
stand on land claims and other issues.
When the letter writer dismisses the reaction of the people of Caledonia as
simple racism, I'm frankly not sure if she's taking a negotiating position or
is truly sincere.
If sincere, I feel she, too, doesn't properly understand her neighbours. The
natives made a classic mistake by using the townsfolk as "cannon fodder" in
their dispute with the government.
Few non-native Canadians feel any responsibility for the actions of their
government. They view it as something that tends to oppress us all.
The native blockades hurt and inconvenienced Caledonians deeply. No matter
how the letter writer may say it, the fact remains the native actions directly
affected the town in a very negative way. To expect support after such
actions is strange salesmanship indeed.
One can understand native frustration about non-natives having deaf ears.
Boxing the wrong ears for attention is only inviting anger and resentment.
This is especially true of actions against ordinary folks who have little
power to grant demands as they, too, are usually ignored by government.
Hopefully in the next dispute, the tactics of both natives and government
will be more focused.
The rest of us can only stand aside and nurse our lumps from collateral
damage.