June 11th Media Update on Caledonia

The following from the Six Nations Confederacy Council:

Attention News Editors

CALEDONIA, ON, June 10 /CNW/ – The actions which occurred at the Six Nations Reclamation site and within the town of Caledonia today are very disheartening. The Haudenosaunee are a people of peace and do not condone violence of any form. Our prayers and concern are with those who were injured during the outbreaks today. A peaceful co-existence with our neighbours and the safety of all remain at the paramount of our concerns.

The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations have been working with the Provincial and Federal government to find a peaceful resolution to this tense situation. The negotiations have been promising as a way to work towards a peaceful resolution. The land rights of all our people are of great concern and are at the heart of this situation.

Our people follow the Great Law of Peace and are not a people of violence. An investigation has been launched and the Six Nations police have been asked to assist in this process. The individuals who were involved in these incidents have been removed from the Reclamation Site until our investigation is complete. The findings from this situation will be raised before our Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council tomorrow. The Haudenosaunee are committed to ensure that Great Law of Peace is respected and followed at the Reclamation Site. Today’s incidents are reflective of the misjudgment and reactions of a limited few. Those individuals will be dealt with in a manner harmonious with the Great Law of Peace. We are committed to working with the Ontario Provincial Police to de- escalate this situation.

A note of commentary, not in any way reflecting the views of the Confederacy or even of anyone else but myself – a white guy who happens to be sympathetic.

The bottom line for me is that this is an internal matter for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to deal with. Whether the individuals alleged to have beaten up US and Canadian cops and reporters did so or no, and whether they are sanctioned or not, should not be up to the colonial government to decide.

(My own two cents worth: sounds like regrettable though nevertheless justified actions  taken to protect the Reclamation Site…)

The Canadian State has no legal jurisdiction here, but equally importantly for me anybody acting to defend a legitimate liberation struggle (including of course, but not limited to anti-colonial national liberation struggles) gets my vote of support.

That said, here’s the day’s media reports (note the U.S. press is glancing this way now that some of their border cops got involved):

• Seven more to be arrested in land standoff, Washington Times June 11th
• Mob Takes Car From U.S. Patrol in Ontario, New York Times June 11th
• Seven aboriginals sought in Caledonia clashes, National Post June 11th
• Cops to charge seven in land claim battle, Calgary Sun June 11th
• Suspects sought in Caledonia attacks, Toronto Star June 11th
• Blockade grows uglier, Winnipeg Sun June 11th
• Caledonia mob mauls visiting U.S. observers, London Free Press June 11th
• Arrest warrants issued in Caledonia dispute, CTV June 10th
• OPP plans Caledonia arrests, Toronto Star June 10th

Categories: Kanenhstaton-Reclamation