Grand River land dispute explained

The Grand River land dispute, also known as the Caledonia land dispute, is an ongoing dispute between the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Government of Canada. It is focused on land along the length of the Grand River in Ontario known as the Haldimand Tract, a 385000abbr=NaNabbr= tract that was granted to Indigenous allies of the British Crown in 1784 to make up for territorial losses suffered as a result of the American Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris (1783).[1] The Six Nations were granted the land in perpetuity and allege that lands were improperly sold, leased or given away by various Canadian governments, leaving only 5 per cent of the original lands under Six Nations control. The Six Nations also allege that monies owed to the Six Nations from leases and loans on much of the tract have not been paid or were redirected into government coffers.

The dispute has been the subject of many formal negotiations under the land claims process since the 1970s and several instances of direct action in the form of protests, blockades, and occupations. Formal negotiations have broken down, and the dispute is before the courts. The Government of Canada's policy to extinguish aboriginal title as a condition of settlement is considered unacceptable by the Six Nations. The Six Nations are seeking monies owing and ongoing payments for leased lands and the return of lands improperly transferred.

The dispute came to wide attention in Canada in 2006 when the Six Nations formally reactivated litigation initially brought in 1995 against Canada and Ontario. Protesters from the Six Nations of the Grand River demonstrated on a parcel of land in Caledonia, a community within the municipality of Haldimand County, roughly 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of Hamilton. Soon after this demonstration, the demonstrators took control of the disputed land, the planned site of a subdivision known as "Douglas Creek Estates". The land, along with all of Caledonia, is part of the "Haldimand Tract". The Government of Ontario compensated the developer and stopped the development, holding the land for planned negotiations.

In February and March 2020, the dispute once again entered public consciousness with Mohawk protesters blockading Highway 6 as part of the 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests in solidarity with the Wetʼsuwetʼen, and later with the occupation of the site of another planned subdivision in Caledonia, "McKenzie Meadows". The protestors have called the area "1492 Land Back Lane". Calling themselves "land defenders", the protestors have refused to leave despite being ordered to by an Ontario court.

Background

18th century

19th century

20th century

Canadian National Railway Settlement

In 1980, the Six Nations Council, along with SNLCRO, submitted a claim to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada against Canadian National Railway's unauthorized use of reserve land for a stretch of rail that runs along the eastern end of the reserve (near the site of the later Douglas Creek Estates dispute). The First Nation eventually accepted a settlement in 1987 that consisted of $610,000 in the form of three parcels of land added to the reserve, which added approximately 104883ha. The council also retained the right to purchase said railway lands if they were not used for railway purposes and were re-acquired by Canada.

Douglas Creek Estates (Kanonhstaton)

Place:Canada
Douglas Creek Estates occupation
Partof:indigenous specific land claims in Canada
Date:February 28 – August 27, 2006
Causes:Development of Douglas Creek Estates subdivision near Caledonia, Ontario and Six Nations of the Grand River
Result:Blockades removed, development halted and land bought by Ontario, protesters allowed to stay, class action lawsuits filed by Caledonia citizens against OPP and provincial government
Side1:Indigenous protesters and allies
Side2:Canadian government and police
Leadfigures1:
  • David General
  • Allen McNaughton (Tekarihoken)
Leadfigures2:
Leadfigures3:
  • Gary McHale
Injuries:Several, notably Sam Gualtieri
Arrests:Several

In 1992, Henco Industries Ltd. purchased 40ha of land for what it would later call the Douglas Creek Estates. The proposed subdivision was set to be located southeast of Caledonia, between Argyle Street South, 6th Line, the CN rail line, and the houses along Thistlemoor Drive.[9] That land was part of an existing land claim submitted by the Six Nations Elected Council; the claim had been closed by 1995. In March of that year, the Six Nations sued the federal and provincial governments in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice over the developers' purchase of the land.[10] The lawsuit is an accounting claim for "all assets which were not received but ought to have been received, managed or held by the Crown for the benefit of the Six Nations." The case was openly litigated until 2004, when it was paused for "exploratory" negotiated settlement talks with the federal government. These talks were never pursued, due to the Douglas Creek Estates conflict in 2006.

Regarding their right to purchase the land, Henco argued that the Six Nations had surrendered their rights to the land in 1841 and Henco had purchased it from the Government of Canada. The Six Nations, however, maintained that their title to the land was never relinquished, as their chiefs protested the 1841 surrender and sent a petition to the government arguing against the terms.

In July 2005, the subdivision plan for Douglas Creek Estates was registered, with title to the property guaranteed by the province of Ontario.

Starting in February 2006, community members from Six Nations occupied the site of the proposed development, which they named in Mohawk "Kanonhstaton" (pronounced as /ganũ'sdaːdũ/,).[11] Direct action on the part of protesters over the years included blockade of roads and rail lines, damage to a power station resulting in an area blackout and more than $1 million in repairs, and low levels of violence from both sides, as well as isolated, more serious attacks. The federal government halted negotiations at times because of the protesters' actions.

As protests continued, on June 12, 2006, more than 400 area residents and businesses filed a class-action suit against the Government of Ontario for its "failure to protect them adequately". This was settled in July 2011, with the government paying to class members.[12] By the end of 2011, several criminal cases related to assaults had been prosecuted.[13]

During the continuing dispute, on June 16, 2006, the Government of Ontario announced it had bought the disputed tract from the developer and would hold it in trust until negotiations settled the claim. Talks began, including the Confederacy chiefs, but were put on hold in 2009 when litigation of the 1995 lawsuit was resumed. The trial is anticipated to start sometime in early 2024.[14]

2005

October

2006

February

March

April

May

June

August

October

December

Further developments

On January 27, 2007, a report from the Department of Justice to the Six Nations Confederacy stated that their land claims would not hold up in court.[44]

On April 12, 2007, Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer said she received an e-mail from OPP commissioner Julian Fantino implying that the town was encouraging "divisive rallies" at the occupation site. He added that if any officers are harmed, he would not support a renewal of the town's policing contract in 2008 and would back any lawsuit brought against the town by individual officers. An OPP spokesperson told The Hamilton Spectator that the OPP would neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the e-mail because it was meant to be private correspondence.[45]

On February 22, 2010, Marie Trainer said that the province was leaning towards giving the Douglas Creek Estates to the Six Nations Band Council, but that she expected it to be some time before a formal decision would be reached.[46]

In June 2014, the Haldimand County council ordered the removal of a native-made blockade in Caledonia.[47]

In November 2014, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council completed construction of a fence and gate surrounding the Douglas Creek Estates site in order to prevent trespassing on the disputed land.

The only house at Douglas Creek Estates that had survived the violent confrontations in 2006 nearly burned to the ground overnight on the morning of November 15, 2016.[48]

Allegations of police inaction

Throughout the occupation and protests, many Caledonia residents complained that they had been subject to threats and violence from Native protesters and that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) failed to take any action to protect them. David Brown, who lived with his wife near the disputed area at the time, testified in court in November 2009 that he was required to carry a native-issued passport and needed approval from the protesters to enter his own house. He also claimed that after arriving "after curfew" one day, he was denied entry and jailed by the OPP when he caused trouble by ignoring the natives. Brown alleged that Native protesters threatened and harassed him repeatedly, and that rocks and mud were thrown at his family and their home. Brown and his wife sought $7 million in a civil lawsuit against the OPP on the basis that the police did nothing to protect him and his family during the occupation.

In response to Brown's claims, Crown lawyer David Felicient stated that the situation "must be understood against the backdrop of the unique character of Aboriginal occupations and protests" and that the OPP were prevented from taking action due to "policy implications." Felicient also suggested that Brown had fabricated portions of his testimony to draw attention to his lawsuit. When Felicient asked why Brown kept a loaded shotgun, Brown responded that "We were doing what we had to do to stay alive. I had no protection from our government. I felt that I needed to protect my wife and my family."

In court testimony, OPP Inspector Brian Haggith stated that the Native protesters "set up a checkpoint... Almost like they were entering another country," and that community lost confidence in the OPP's ability to protect them. Haggith also testified that when natives set fire to a wooden bridge in town, the fire department withdrew from fighting the blaze when threatened by protesters. The fire chief told the OPP he did not believe they would protect him or his men. In addition, an electrical substation was destroyed, causing more than $1 million in damage and a blackout, when a truck crashed through its gates and was left ablaze. Haggith said that there was little response from the police. Inspector Haggith also testified that he had asked for a change in policy at a subsequent meeting he had with his OPP superiors, but that his request was denied.[24]

On June 15, 2009, some Caledonia residents announced the formation of an unarmed "militia" to enforce laws they felt the Ontario Provincial Police had failed to uphold.[49] Six Nations Councillor Claudine VanEvery-Albert, along with OPP spokesperson Constable Paula Wright both spoke out against the formation of a militia, and three days later, Ontario Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci called it a "dumb idea."[50]

On July 8, 2011, Ontario Attorney General Chris Bentley announced a settlement of $20 million ending a class-action lawsuit which had been filed by 440 residents, 400 businesses and a handful of sub-contractors, which claimed negligence and malfeasance on the part of the provincial government and the OPP for failing to properly protect citizens who lived near Douglas Creek Estates. Some residents continued independent lawsuits.[51] In 2018, a lawyer who oversaw the class-action lawsuit by Caledonia residents was charged with fraud.[52]

Assault on Sam Gualtieri

On September 13, 2007, builder Sam Gualtieri was attacked and seriously injured in a confrontation with native protesters at the 90-home Stirling South subdivision development in Caledonia. Following a brief occupation two weeks prior, a small group of natives had occupied the property that morning, and the confrontation was going to end peacefully in the afternoon before Gualtieri arrived and clashed with the young protesters.[53] On December 2, 2011, Richard Smoke (Mohawk) was convicted of assault for the attack on Gualtieri, who had asked Smoke and several others to leave his daughter's house, which he was helping build as a wedding present. Smoke apologized to Gualtieri in court, in one of several criminal cases arising out of the DCE occupation.

September 2007 Brantford development protest

On September 4, 2007, a development site on Grand River Ave within six miles of the Grand River in Brantford was blocked off by native protesters, following an earlier visit where the protesters expressed concerns about the construction taking place on the disputed Haldimand Tract. Later in the day, police arrived on the scene and eventually some work was allowed to continue on the site.[54]

Solidarity protests

Tyendinaga gravel quarry occupation solidarity blockade

See main article: Culbertson Tract land claim. On April 25, 2008, Six Nations protesters blocked off the Highway 6 bypass and the CN Rail line to show support for four Mohawks arrested during a protest at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory the day before; this protest was centred around a quarry on the disputed Culbertson Tract that had started in March 2007.[55] Shawn Brant, one of the Tyendinaga protesters arrested, was charged with assault with a weapon, breach of bail conditions, possession of weapons and possession of marijuana.[56]

At around 4:30 PM, protesters in Caledonia dug a trench across the Highway 6 bypass and dragged a large part of a hydro tower over the road. The OPP erected two blockades on either side of the bypass to ensure public safety.

Wetʼsuwetʼen solidarity blockade

See main article: 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests and Timeline of the 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests. In response to the OPP moving in to arrest protesters at the level crossing located near Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on the morning of February 24, 2020, and in solidarity with the Wetʼsuwetʼen opposing the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline, members of the Mohawk Nation (Bear Clan) from Six Nations began a peaceful demonstration on the Ontario Highway 6 bypass near Caledonia, blocking traffic and commuter trains along the Lakeshore West GO line later in the day on February 24.[57] Eventually, a blockade consisting of pallets and parked vehicles was set up on the highway, forcing traffic to be rerouted to a nearby bridge, and leading the OPP to place concrete barriers around the blockade for safety.[58] The blockade remained up until March 19, when the protesters agreed to leave the road and withdraw to Douglas Creek Estates "as a sign of good faith".[59] [60] [61] [62]

1492 Land Back Lane (McKenzie Meadows)

Place:Canada
1492 Land Back Lane
Partof:indigenous specific land claims in Canada
Causes:Development of McKenzie Meadows subdivision near Caledonia, Ontario and Six Nations of the Grand River
Date:July 19, 2020 – present
Side1:
Side2:
Arrests:37[63]
Charged:52[64]
Leadfigures1:
  • Skyler Williams (spokesperson)
Leadfigures2:

Background

McKenzie Meadows was a planned residential development project located south of Caledonia, on the west side of McKenzie Road and the south side of Fuller Drive.[65] The project was owned by Foxgate Development (previously by 2036356 Ontario Inc.), a consortium created by Losani Homes and Ballantry Homes (a Toronto-based residential development company), with Michael Corrado specifically listed as one of the owners.[66] The land planned for the development amounted to 107acres. In October and November 2013, the Six Nations Elected Council, through the community engagement website Six Nations Future, engaged in consultation with Six Nations citizens regarding the development. Benefits presented to the community during the consultation process include job prospects for community members and the raising of funds throughout the construction of residential units for the eventual construction of "Kawenn:io/Gaweni:yo Private School", a language school to be built on the reserve. Ultimately, a majority of respondents to the engagement process opposed the project, and the Grand Council voted to not execute an agreement with the developer at a council meeting on December 17, 2013.[67] [68]

On September 9, 2015, Foxgate Development acquired the land for the project from Haldimand County.[69]

In 2016 and 2019, the Elected Council of Six Nations of the Grand River received various "accommodations" for the development, as per an agreement signed with Ballantry Homes. The agreement outlined an accommodation for the construction, consisting of 42.3acres of land across from Little Buffalo along Townline Road (170 Concession 17 Road in Hagersville) being transferred to Six Nations in 2016, as well as a transfer of $352,000 to the SNEC for use in future purchases of land, transferred in 2019.[70] In return for these accommodations, the Elected Council agreed to support the development in a variety of ways, namely:

This agreement was signed by SNEC Chief Ava Hill on June 18, 2019, but was not signed by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC), the organization representing the traditional governance structure of the Haudenosaunee, which predates the SNEC (established in 1924) and governs alongside the elected council.

Land reclamation/occupation

2020

July–August

Development of the McKenzie Meadows project continued, but on the afternoon of July 19, 2020, Six Nations community member Skyler Williams, along with a group of about 20 others, walked onto the site at 1535 McKenzie Road in order to stop the development. Once they had managed to put a stop to the construction work, the group established an encampment, referred to as a "reclamation site", on the site of the development. The reclamation site was eventually dubbed 1492 Land Back Lane by the self-proclaimed "land defenders" (the number referring to 1492, the year Christopher Columbus made landfall in the Caribbean, a commonly accepted starting point for European colonization of the Americas).[72]

Lonny Bomberry, Director of Six Nations Land and Resources, has said that there is no traditional land claim associated with the occupied development, since it has been under third-party ownership for at least 150 years, and while the entirety of the Haldimand Tract is subject to a land claim, that claim is not against third-party developers.

On July 31, 2020, the OPP helped a court sheriff read and deliver a court injunction issued the day before against the demonstrators.[73] The occupation continued, and on August 5, 2020, the OPP moved in to enforce the injunction, arresting nine people in the process, including Skyler Williams. While most media reported that the police fired "a single round from a weapon that shoots rubber bullets", several members of the occupation reported that at least three rubber bullets were fired during the violent enforcement of the injunction, which also involved land defenders throwing rocks at OPP.[74] [75] In response to this, Six Nations community members established a blockade on Argyle Street, the Highway 6 bypass, and the rail line. Tires and wood pellets were set on fire, and while police officers were setting up checkpoints, they were swarmed by protesters and prevented.[76] The vice-president of Losani Homes indicated that the enforcement of the injunction would allow construction to continue.

However, the following day, demonstrators returned to the camp, with community members and supporters showing up intermittently to provide support to those occupying the land. When asked about the events at 1492 Land Back Lane, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said during his COVID-19 briefing on August 6,

On August 7, a second court injunction was obtained by Haldimand County that "prevents anyone from blockading or restricting use of public roads in the municipality". That same day, the people at the occupation site requested meetings with federal officials, with only Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller agreeing to sit down and talk, according to a person at the occupation site as of August 10.

On August 15, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council released a statement in support of the land defenders, stating that the McKenzie Meadows development was within the "red zone", in which the Haudenosaunee have called for a complete development moratorium. In the statement, they called on the governments of Canada and Ontario to sit down at the negotiation table and address land issues with them, the hereditary chiefs, citing the issues left unresolved after the breakdown of talks following the dispute at Kanonhstaton.[77]

In a letter dated August 19, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett offered to resume negotiation of "longstanding and unresolved land issues" with elected chief Mark Hill and the Confederacy chiefs, referring to the negotiations that had been suspended pending litigation first in 1995 and then again in 2009.

The last blockade near the site was removed on August 22.

Someone was arrested in connection to the camp on August 24 in Hamilton, Ontario.

On August 25, the Superior Court extended both the August 7 (despite the final blockade having come down three days prior) and July 30 injunctions, the latter of which "restrains anyone from occupying or hindering development of the construction site" and names Skyler Williams as a defendant. That day, the OPP reported that they would not be enforcing the injunction again until their liaison team "[had] had a chance to deescalate the situation," but that they would have to move in should that fail.[78]

September

By early September, a support camp referred to by an organizer as a "safety zone" had been established on Kanonhstaton, to provide a meeting place for community members to have shelter, learn about their culture, and support the Land Back Lane camp. Being located off the road and not on the McKenzie Meadows site, the safety zone did not fall under either injunction against the protesters.[79]

Co-host of the podcast One Dish, One Mic Karl Dockstader (a member of Oneida Nation of the Thames, Bear Clan) and Mohawk Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) research fellow Courtney Skye (a member of Six Nations of the Grand River, Turtle Clan) were arrested on September 2 and 3, respectively, along with three other arrests on September 2. Dockstader had been covering the occupation as an independent journalist, while Skye was reportedly "sitting on the banks of the Grand River with [her] auntie/sis."[80] [81] Dockstader and Skye were both charged with disobeying a court order and mischief.[82] [83] No further information on the reason for his arrest was given to Dockstader at the time. Dockstader's release barred him from the site and from contacting employees of Foxgate under threat of further charges, conditions for which the OPP faced criticism for limiting media access to the campsite, and going against the decision made in the case of Justin Brake in 2019, where the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador set a precedent to distinguish activists and reporters. By the end of the day on September 3, OPP Constable Rodney LeClair estimated that there had been 17 arrests made so far, up from 13 reported earlier that morning. Two more arrests were made over the September 5–6 weekend, with the same charges as Skye and Dockstader.[84]

On Tuesday, September 15, Starla Myers, a member of Six Nations and reporter for Real Peoples Media, was arrested and charged with two counts of mischief and one count of disobeying a court order. The OPP continued to face criticism for arresting another reporter, but Constable LeClair re-iterated that the OPP are "committed to the freedom of the press and respects the important role the media has in the community. We value and strive to have collaborative relationships with our media partners."[85] The following day, Lela George (a member of the Oneida First Nation) became the 23rd person to be charged in relation to the occupation.[86]

In a letter dated September 17, Foxgate's legal counsel urged ministers to not enter into negotiations with the "occupiers" while they continued to defy the court injunction Foxgate held against them.

On September 23, Haldimand County's police services board called on the OPP to step up enforcement of the injunction, claiming their current framework for responding to "Indigenous critical incidents" was not working, and characterizing the occupation as "acts of terrorism" in reference to the Canada Criminal Code.[87] [88]

On September 29, the land defenders' spokesperson Skyler Williams received a phone call from the OPP informing him that there was a warrant for his arrest, for disobeying the existing injunction, continuing to occupy the site, mischief, and breaching conditions from his arrest on August 5.[89]

October

According to the affidavit filed on October 5 by OPP West Region Regional Commander John Cain, police intelligence believed that a second raid on the occupation site would result in a very violent confrontation that wouldn't resolve the "underlying land dispute." According to the affidavit, the OPP was concerned with the violent enforcement of the injunction, and had been actively trying to seek peaceful resolutions instead. The affidavit was filed in advance of a hearing on the injunctions in the Ontario Superior Court scheduled for October 9.

As of October 9, 29 people had been charged in connection to the occupation and solidarity actions.

In the October 9 injunction hearing at the Ontario Superior Court in Cayuga, Ontario, Justice John Harper again extended the injunctions and ordered those occupying the site to vacate it immediately. In his oral judgment, Harper said,[90]

A subsequent injunction hearing was scheduled for October 22, 2020.

According to Todd Williams, the co-ordinator for archaeological and environmental monitoring for the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (a subsidiary of the Confederacy Council), three other sites of planned subdivisions, all then in the archaeological phase, were targeted for actions to coincide with the day of the hearing. Williams said that the actions were meant to highlight the fact that all developers on the Haldimand Tract need to consult with the hereditary chiefs before development can begin. Later on October 9, Williams' car was swarmed by OPP cruisers and Williams arrested after leaving one of the three sites. Williams had previously been arrested in the August 5 raid.[91]

Kahsenniyo (Tahnee Skinner-Wilson), wife of spokesperson Skyler Williams, and Juno winner Tom Wilson were also arrested on October 9.

At the injunction hearing on October 22, Justice Harper found Skyler Williams to be in contempt of the court and dismissed all evidence he had filed. The judge also made both injunctions permanent, and encouraged the Haudenosaunee to submit a formal land claim through the specific claims process, despite its slow pace.[92] In the written ruling delivered a week after the hearing, Williams was also ordered to cover Haldimand County and Foxgate's legal fees, amounting to $50,349.67 and $117,814.18, respectively ($168,163.85 in total).[93] After the hearing was concluded, a clash broke out between police and protesters, which included a flaming barricade being set up on a road near the camp and the shutdown of critical infrastructure (including Highway 6, the rail line, and Argyle Street) by the people from Six Nations. According to the protesters, this clash resulted from the OPP using a taser and firing rubber bullets using a "riot control gun" at people near the "safety zone" by Argyle Street and Sixth Line.[94] [95] [96] The OPP allege that the confrontation was initiated by the land defenders, who had damaged a police cruiser.[97]

In a statement, the Six Nations Elected Council called Justice Harper's decision to make the injunctions permanent "disturbing," claiming that it was indicative of the ongoing presence of systemic racism in Canada. Additionally, they acknowledged the frustration members of the community had expressed regarding the accommodation agreement council had signed with Foxgate, committing to doing better in the future, but admitting that they remained bound by the agreement. Chief Mark Hill and the council called for unity and calm going forward.[98]

November–December

Documents obtained by APTN National News in 2021 found that the OPP spent on their policing of the camp in November 2020 alone.

According to a CBC report released November 25, "[t]here are now plans to extend [the occupation] on farm lands directly across [McKenzie] road, the site for a 700-unit housing development called Beattie Estates."

By December 16, the 150th day since the camp was erected, several "Tiny Homes" had been erected in the land reclamation camp in preparation for the winter cold.[99]

Meetings hosted by the camp and people of Six Nations throughout November and December led to a "community report" that was delivered to every home, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council, and the Six Nations Elected Council.[100]

2021

January

On January 19, six months after the demonstration at McKenzie Meadows began, the land defenders moved their barricade on Argyle Street (which includes a damaged and graffitied school bus) back to Caledonia Baptist Church, to allow access to the church as well as to allow emergency services quicker access to hospitals in Hamilton. Spokesperson Skyler Williams said that this was done as a show of good faith, in an attempt to "[lead] de-escalation and [find] a peaceful resolution, which cannot occur if Canada continues to leave Nation-to-Nation relationships in the hands of the police." The Ministry of Transportation was allowed to assess the damage done to the Highway 6 bypass. The OPP did not remove their blockade on Argyle Street that prevents access to the street from Caledonia, estimating that it would take weeks to repair the damage and open the bypass to regular traffic.[101] [102]

Documents obtained by APTN National News revealed that, by January 19, 2021, the OPP had spent on policing operations in the first six months since the camp's establishment.

Following the community report created at the end of 2020, an online community survey was announced in January, expanding on the themes raised in community meetings in the previous two months, including "advancing a moratorium on development within our territory," according to a release from the land reclamation camp.

February

The rest of the barricades that had been set up in late October were once again removed, the roads repaired and reopened to traffic.

June

Following the toppling of the statue of architect of the Indian Residential School system Egerton Ryerson in downtown Toronto on June 6, the statue's head was given as a gift to the people at Land Back Lane, where it was placed on a pike overlooking the site. The placement of the vandalized and severed head at the land reclamation site was seen as a powerful symbolic gesture by some land defenders. As of June 12, the head had been moved to near the Mohawk Institute, a former residential school in Brantford.[103]

July

On July 2, 2021, the vice-president of Losani Homes told the CBC that deposits to homeowners were being returned in full, and that the planned development of the McKenzie Meadows project would be officially cancelled. He cited several reasons that the "sales agreements had been frustrated," including the development of more permanent buildings by the land defenders, the passage of a year, "the lack of any conformity with or enforcement of the court's orders, and the failure of either government [provincial or federal] to even respond to our requests for help or intervention." Mayor Ken Hewitt was "disappointed" by the cancellation, saying the development had been planned with the elected council and was going to be able to provide an "attractive price point" (starting at) for many of the families hoping to move into the housing development. Skyler Williams, spokesperson for the land defenders, welcomed the cancellation as a victory in a multi-generational battle for indigenous land.[104]

Documents obtained by APTN National News revealed that, from July 2020 to July 2021, the OPP had spent on their operations enforcing the two injunctions. The police force attempted to obscure this figure over the course of the news company's freedom of information request, but the full tabulation of police spending was finally released in May 2022.[105]

December

On December 12, 2021, the Ontario Court of Appeal handed down a ruling that cancelled the injunction against Skyler Williams that had previously been made permanent by Superior Court Justice Harper in October 2020, as well as setting aside the judge's decision to strike Williams's pleadings from the record and to give him a $168,163.85 cost award. The Court of Appeal found that Harper hadn't sufficiently explain why Williams' alleged misconduct, didn't lay out potential consequences, and didn't give him a fair chance to retain an attorney or respond to the allegations against him. The ruling said, "The requirements of fairness in the context of this proceeding constituted an independent right of Mr. Williams. It is no answer to the denial of these rights to say a fair opportunity to be heard would have made no difference in the outcome." The three appellate judges writing the ruling granted Williams $20,000 in damages and said a different judge should re-hear the initial matter reviewed by Harper.[106]

Solidarity action

In early August, it was reported that some Wetʼsuwetʼen had set up a rail blockade on their territory in northern British Columbia in solidarity with the demonstrators at the encampment, mirroring the blockades in solidarity with the Wetʼsuwetʼen earlier in 2020.

On August 21, a local preacher organised a solidarity protest at the Rainbow Circle overpass south of Gravenhurst, Ontario.[107]

As of Monday, September 7, a GoFundMe legal fund in support of people facing criminal charges in connection to the camp had raised nearly $84,000 from over 1,100 donors.

On October 9, in response to a call out across Turtle Island (North America) from the protesters at 1492 Land Back Lane, a day of action was held. Protests in solidarity with the land defenders (as well as with the Miꞌkmaw fishers in their fight for fishing rights in Nova Scotia) were seen across the country. One solidarity blockade on Gitxsan and Wetʼsuwetʼen territory stopped traffic on British Columbia Highway 16 for several hours, in a demonstration meant to reinforce the continent-wide solidarity that had been seen earlier in the year as the Wetʼsuwetʼen opposed the construction of a pipeline on their territory.[108] Another protest in Muskoka saw the third banner-drop in solidarity with Indigenous protesters this year, with banners reading "Muskoka Supports Six Nations Land Defenders," "No More Land Theft!" and "We Are All Treaty People."[109]

On October 25, 2020, the 236th anniversary of the Haldimand proclamation, a solidarity demonstration took place near Caledonia, stopping for a while to demonstrate in front of the OPP barricade on Highway 6. Representatives of several unions were present at the protest, including CUPE Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Labour.[110]

Skyler Williams

Skyler Williams (also spelled Skylar in some reporting on the land dispute) is a spokesperson for the land defenders at 1492 Land Back Lane. He was previously involved in the reclamation of Kanonhstaton as well as the Ipperwash Crisis. Williams was named as a spokesperson by a group of women in the organization of the camp in order to be the visible face of the movement, allowing others to remain anonymous. Williams was named as a defendant in the Ontario Superior Court case against the land defenders, throughout which Justice R. J. Harper consistently referred to him as the "leader" of the movement, despite the fact that the camp's own releases identified him as a spokesperson.[111] During the trial, Williams was found to be in contempt of the court for refusing to accept its jurisdiction over him and Haudenosaunee affairs in general. His evidence was stricken from the record in the October 22 hearing, during which Justice Harper made the two injunctions against 1492 Land Back Lane permanent.[112]

Williams was held without bail for seven months at Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre on charges related to the 2006 Kanonhstaton reclamation, including four months in solitary confinement. The charges were ultimately withdrawn.

Williams is married to Kahsenniyo, another land defender, and the couple has four daughters.[113]

On May 19, 2021, surrounded by supporters, Williams turned himself in to the Haldimand County OPP Detachment in Cayuga, satisfying the arrest warrants that had been issued for him the previous year. He was released shortly after entering the building on condition that he would not set foot at 1492 Land Back Lane, and would appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on June 1, to face the two counts of mischief, two counts of disobeying an order of the court, intimidation and failure to comply with an undertaking. He told reporters that he had turned himself in, in order to get the judicial process going, so that he wouldn't have to keep "[looking] over his shoulder," and could show up more effectively for his family.[114]

Moratorium on development

On April 20, 2021, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council, represented by Cayuga Snipe clan chief Deyohowe:to Roger Silversmith, announced a moratorium on development within the entire Haldimand Tract. The HCCC sought a ban on development, unless authorised by the Haudenosaunee Development Institute. In the announcement, Deyohowe:to said, "We are not interested in selling land. There's portions of land that we have leased out that can still be negotiated. The developers need to stop digging in our lands and to come forward now and do the process." Deyohowe:to clarified that the elected council was aware of the announcement, but that its members are "limited" in their authority to assert land sovereignty. He asserted that the federal government needed to step up their response to the issue of land rights, expressing a lack of confidence in the judicial system's ability to bring them justice.[115] [116]

The announcement came on the 275th day of the 1492 Land Back Lane camp, and on the 15th anniversary of the April 20, 2006, raid of the Kanonhstaton site by the OPP.[117]

In a press conference on April 26, Chief Mark Hill, chief of the Six Nations Elected Council "reiterated and acknowledged" the Confederacy's call for a moratorium on development in the Haldimand Tract. In the spirit of presenting a united front, Hill stated, "We also need to keep in mind that we have a major land claims case coming before the courts in 2022, and it would not be responsible to allow continued development in an uncertain legal environment." He couldn't say whether or not he supports the Haudenosaunee Development Institute overseeing the process, acknowledging that such finer points still needed to be figured out.[118]

See also

Notes

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071331/http://reclamation.kisikew.org/images/haldimand_tract_map.jpg Map of the 1784 Haldimand Tract
  2. Encyclopedia: HALDIMAND, Sir FREDERICK. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. 2003. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Stuart R. J.. August 12, 2020. Sutherland. 5. 1983 (revision). Pierre. Madeleine. Tousignant. Dionne-Tousignant.
  3. Web site: November 1, 2006. Caledonia land claim Historical Timeline. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190407132221/https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/caledonia-landclaim/historical-timeline.html. April 7, 2019. August 12, 2020. CBC News.
  4. Web site: Augustus Jones Determined Present Day County Boundaries. 27 September 2018. August 12, 2020.
  5. Web site: Filice. Michelle. June 3, 2016. Haldimand Proclamation. August 12, 2020. The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  6. Book: Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society in conjunction with National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council, and Indspire. 2018. 978-0-9867516-6-0. 54.
  7. News: Barrera. Jorge. November 25, 2020. Beyond the barricades. CBC News. November 25, 2020.
  8. News: Forester. Brett. October 8, 2020. Ottawa's offer to negotiate Six Nations land issues prompted backlash from McKenzie Meadows developer. APTN National News. October 12, 2020.
  9. Morden. Michael. "With a Vow to Defend": Indigenous Direct Mobilization in Canada. 2015. PhD. University of Toronto. 157268121.
  10. Web site: April 2006. BACKGROUNDER ON THE CLAIMS OF THE SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER BAND OF INDIANS. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070214080258/http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2006/snjsbk_e.html. February 14, 2007. August 19, 2020. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
  11. Six Nations Public Library – Digital Collections. Six Nations Public Library. "Kanonhstaton "The Protected Place": 10 Years After". http://vitacollections.ca/sixnationsarchive/3220958/data?n=1. Jim. Windle. SNPL004409v00d.
  12. News: July 8, 2011. Class Action Settlement For Caledonia Community. Government of Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General. live. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190221130542/https://news.ontario.ca/mag/en/2011/07/class-action-settlement-for-caledonia-community.html. February 21, 2019.
  13. News: Humphreys. Adrian. December 3, 2011. As the Caledonian occupation comes to a close in court, its issues linger. National Post. August 19, 2020.
  14. Web site: Hill . Jody . 2022-10-15 . Haldimand Tract Litigation Update – Six Nations of the Grand River . 2023-02-28 . www.sixnations.ca . en-US.
  15. Book: DeVries, Laura . Conflict in Caledonia: Aboriginal land rights and the rule of law . UBC Press . 2011 . 9780774821841 . 176.
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  18. Clancy . Devin . 2017 . Policing Indigenous Land Reclamations from Ipperwash to Caledonia . Annual Review of Interdisciplinary Justice Research . 65 . 6 . 75 . CanLII.
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  21. News: May 5, 2006. Stolen papers offered to Caledonia developer – for a price. CBC News. August 19, 2020.
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  23. Web site: Six Nations Solidarity. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200516032852/http://sisis.nativeweb.org/actionalert/. May 16, 2020. August 19, 2020. Six Nations Solidarity.
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  26. Aboriginal protesters remove blockade in Caledonia, Ont. but tensions linger. May 22, 2006. Radio broadcast. AM940 Montreal. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310020150/http://sisis.nativeweb.org/actionalert/updates/060522am940montreal-a.html. March 10, 2016.
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  31. News: June 5, 2006. Tempers flare again at Caledonia standoff. CBC News. August 19, 2020.
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  33. News: Healey. Deirdre. Thompson. Laura. June 10, 2006. Angry residents clash with OPP. The Hamilton Spectator. dead. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927194052/http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton%2FLayout%2FArticle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1149889812268&call_pageid=1024322466723. September 27, 2007.
  34. News: Morse. Paul. June 12, 2006. Natives photographed OPP moving in to help cameramen. The Hamilton Spectator. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927194150/http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton%2FLayout%2FArticle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1150064108023&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1014656511815. September 27, 2007.
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  36. News: Morse . Paul . June 13, 2006 . Top secrets in native hands: Undercover officers' names, classified CSIS information was in stolen SUV . The Hamilton Spectator . https://web.archive.org/web/20230721224839/http://sisis.nativeweb.org/actionalert/updates/060613spectator-b.html . dead . 2023-07-21 .
  37. News: June 16, 2006. Ontario buys site of disputed Caledonia claim. CBC News. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20070702181015/https://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/06/16/caledonia-bought.html. July 2, 2007.
  38. News: June 18, 2006. Ontario buys land at centre of Caledonia dispute. CTV. August 19, 2020. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060620203736/https://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060616/court_caledonia_060616/20060616?hub=Canada. June 20, 2006.
  39. News: Wattie. Chris. August 8, 2006. Caledonia protesters, residents hurl rocks in latest confrontation. National Post. CanWest. live. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120735/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=31800ac1-d4b2-4646-aac6-3316e7958834&k=1997. September 29, 2007.
  40. News: August 8, 2006. Judge tells Ontario to end Caledonia dispute talks. CBC News. live. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20070126024805/https://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/08/08/caledonia-decision.html. January 26, 2007.
  41. News: August 11, 2006. Court date set for Ontario to fight Caledonia ruling. CBC News. August 19, 2020.
  42. News: October 14, 2006. Tense rally in Caledonia ends peacefully. CTV. August 19, 2020. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20061103033341/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061014/caledonia_protest_prep_061015/20061015. November 3, 2006.
  43. News: December 16, 2006. Controversial Figure Arrested At Caledonia Occupation Site. City News. live. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200819205746/https://toronto.citynews.ca/2006/12/16/controversial-figure-arrested-at-caledonia-occupation-site/. August 19, 2020.
  44. News: Feds say Six Nations land claim is invalid. January 27, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20200819192023/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/feds-say-six-nations-land-claim-is-invalid-1.226557. August 19, 2020.
  45. News: April 12, 2007. OPP threatening to stop policing Caledonia: mayor. CTV News. Canadian Press. August 29, 2020.
  46. News: February 22, 2010. Province eyes giving DCE to Six Nations, mayor says. The Hamilton Spectator. August 29, 2020.
  47. News: Marion. Michael-Allan. June 25, 2014. County votes to remove barriers at native blockade site in Caledonia. Toronto Sun. QMI Agency. August 29, 2020.
  48. News: Carter . Adam . Sole house to survive Caledonia land dispute in Douglas Creek Estates burns . 7 April 2019 . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . November 25, 2016 . Hamilton, Ontario.
  49. News: Barrera. Jorge. June 15, 2009. Ontario residents eye 'militia' as aboriginal dispute drags on. CanWest News Service. August 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20090625143656/http://www.canada.com/Ontario+residents+militia+aboriginal+dispute+drags/1698935/story.html. June 25, 2009.
  50. News: 17 June 2009. Minister calls Caledonia militia a 'dumb idea'. CTV News Toronto. The Canadian Press. 23 December 2015.
  51. News: Blatchford. Christie. Christie Blatchford. 11 July 2011. Deal tries to hush up disgrace of Caledonia. National Post. dead. 17 July 2011. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20110714010448/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/07/11/christie-blatchford-deal-tries-to-hush-up-disgrace-of-caledonia/. 2011-07-14.
  52. News: McQuigge. Michelle. September 13, 2018. Lawyer who oversaw Caledonia class action charged with fraud: police. Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. 7 April 2019.
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  54. News: September 4, 2007. Native protesters delay Brantford development. https://web.archive.org/web/20091025114120/http://www.thespec.com/article/243609. 2009-10-25.
  55. News: Police work during protest applauded. The Kingston Whig-Standard. live. August 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20120213144512/http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1010984&archive=true. February 13, 2012.
  56. News: Edwards. Peter. April 30, 2008. Natives end highway blockade. The Star. August 29, 2020.
  57. News: Hristova. Bobby. February 24, 2020. Indigenous solidarity protests block Highway 6 in Caledonia, delay Hamilton GO trains. cbc.ca. CBC News. August 12, 2020.
  58. News: Taekema. Dan. March 10, 2020. 'Tear down this blockade': MPP calls for Caledonia roadblock to be removed. CBC News. August 12, 2020.
  59. News: March 19, 2020. OPP says Highway 6 By-pass to re-open after inspection. Turtle Island News. August 12, 2020. March 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200321210726/https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.php/2020/03/19/opp-say-highway-6-by-pass-to-re-open-after-inspection/. dead.
  60. News: Mitchell. Don. March 19, 2020. Wet'suwet'en solidarity blockade on Highway 6 near Caledonia, Ont. to come down Friday: OPP. Global News. March 21, 2020.
  61. Ken Hewitt, Mayor of Haldimand County, on the Highway 6 blockade coming down. The Scott Thompson Show. Global News Radio. Scott Thompson. March 20, 2020. 01:16. March 21, 2020. March 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200321163647/https://omny.fm/shows/scott-thompson-show/ken-hewitt-mayor-of-haldimand-county-on-the-highwa. dead.
  62. News: Clarke. Katrina. March 20, 2020. Demonstrators clear out after month-long Highway 6 bypass blockade. The Hamilton Spectator. March 21, 2020.
  63. News: Powless . Lynda . Outspoken activist arrested for involvement in land dispute at Caledonia . 7 January 2021 . Turtle Island News . January 7, 2021 . 10 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210110114817/https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.php/2021/01/07/outspoken-activist-arrested-for-involvement-in-land-dispute-at-caledonia/ . dead .
  64. News: 28-year-old Six Nations man charged for violating injunction at land reclamation camp . 7 January 2021 . CBC News . December 30, 2020.
  65. Web site: McKenzie Meadows Development. August 12, 2020. Six Nations Future.
  66. News: Duric. Donna. July 22, 2020. Six Nations people shut down Caledonia construction. The Turtle Island News. August 12, 2020.
  67. McKenzie Meadows Community Consultation Report – 2013. Hill. Jody MM. December 20, 2013. August 12, 2020.
  68. December 17, 2013. GENERAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2013 6:00 PM. Six Nations Council.
  69. News: McDougall. Allana. Forester. Brett. August 10, 2020. Land defenders rebuild McKenzie Meadows camp despite new injunction. APTN National News. August 17, 2020.
  70. COMMUNITY UPDATE: Residential Developments along McKenzie Road in Caledonia . July 24, 2020 . Six Nations of the Grand River . August 12, 2020 . October 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026035216/http://www.sixnations.ca/CommunityUpdate_DevelopmentsAlongMcKenzieRoadJuly24.2020(final).pdf . dead .
  71. News: Forester. Brett. August 11, 2020. Six Nations Elected Council agreed to 'publicly support' McKenzie Meadows development, help stop protests as part of accommodation deal: court docs. APTN National News. August 17, 2020.
  72. News: Taekema. Dan. August 5, 2020. Road blockades up at Caledonia after OPP arrest demonstrators at residential development. CBC News. August 12, 2020.
  73. News: Forester. Brett. September 3, 2020. Police arrest journalist, researcher in connection with Caledonia land reclamation. APTN National News. September 8, 2020.
  74. News: August 6, 2020. Indigenous protesters return to site of Caledonia, Ont., land dispute day after arrests. National Post. The Canadian Press. August 17, 2020. OPP allege some of the occupiers threw "large rocks" at officers, and officers responded by firing a single round from a weapon that shoots rubber bullets..
  75. CANADALAND: Ep. 337 – 1492 Land Back Lane. CANADALAND. Canadaland Media. Brown. Jesse. August 17, 2020. August 17, 2020. Vanderklis. Sean. Dockstader. Karl.
  76. News: Barrera. Jorge. October 9, 2020. OPP says 2nd raid on Six Nations land back camp would inflame conflict, solve nothing. CBC News. October 12, 2020.
  77. STATEMENT REGARDING UNLAWFUL MCKENZIE MEADOWS DEVELOPMENT. August 15, 2020. Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council. Ohsweken, ON. August 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200818232139/https://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/HCCC-Statement-Regarding-Unlawful-Mckenzie-Meadows-Development.pdf. August 18, 2020.
  78. The latest from the 1492 Land Back Lane camp in Caledonia. August 27, 2020. Pashagumskum. Jamie. TV Broadcast. en. APTN News.
  79. News: Forester. Brett. September 2, 2020. 'We couldn't just go home': Camp on former Douglas Creek Estates vows to stay. APTN National News. October 25, 2020.
  80. Indigenous Journalist Arrested While Reporting on Land Defense. September 3, 2020. Haldimand County. Vanderklis. Sean. September 8, 2020.
  81. 1301645327984885767. MOHAWKEMOTIONS. I was just released from being arrested for being at No. 1492LandBackLane I was sitting on the banks of the Grand River with my auntie/sis. I was literally arrested within feet of our river in my homelands.. Courtney Skye. September 3, 2020. September 8, 2020.
  82. Yellowhead Statement Regarding Arrests At 1492 Land Back Lane. September 8, 2020. Yellowhead Institute.
  83. News: Goldsbie. Jonathan. September 6, 2020. It's Either A Terrible Mistake Or Something More Sinister. CANADALAND. September 8, 2020.
  84. News: Antonacci. J. P.. September 7, 2020. Two more arrests at disputed Caledonia construction site. The Hamilton Spectator. September 8, 2020.
  85. News: Polewski. Lisa. September 17, 2020. Another Indigenous journalist faces charges tied to injunction at Caledonia development. Global news. September 18, 2020.
  86. News: September 17, 2020. Oneida Woman 23rd person charged in connection with Six Nations land rights protest. The Turtle Island News. September 18, 2020.
  87. News: Polewski. Lisa. September 23, 2020. Haldimand police services board urges OPP to enforce injunction at Caledonia development. Global News. September 30, 2020.
  88. News: Barrera. Jorge. September 25, 2020. Ontario police services board calls Six Nations members halting housing development 'terrorists'. CBC News. September 30, 2020.
  89. News: Barrera. Jorge. September 29, 2020. Ontario Provincial Police have warrant for arrest of 1492 Land Back Lane spokesperson. CBC News. September 30, 2020.
  90. News: Forester. Brett. October 9, 2020. Ontario judge extends injunctions against what he calls 'lawless protesters' in Caledonia. APTN National News. October 12, 2020.
  91. News: Barrera. Jorge. October 16, 2020. OPP arrests Six Nations traditional government employee over alleged 1492 Land Back Lane involvement. CBC News. October 24, 2020.
  92. News: Forester. Brett. October 22, 2020. 'The contempt continues': Land Back Lane spokesperson could be on hook for $20M damage claim. APTN National News. October 24, 2020.
  93. News: Polewski. Lisa. October 30, 2020. Land Back Lane spokesperson ordered to foot legal bills for Caledonia land dispute. Global News. November 25, 2020.
  94. News: Barrera. Jorge. October 22, 2020. Injunction against First Nations land reclamation camp sparks skirmish with police. CBC News. October 24, 2020.
  95. News: Forester. Brett. October 23, 2020. Police violence spurs retaliation blockades, attacks on infrastructure in Caledonia land dispute. APTN National News. October 25, 2020.
  96. News: Forester. Brett. March 30, 2021. OPP spent more than $16M policing 1492 Land Back Lane: Records. APTN National News. April 6, 2021.
  97. News: October 26, 2020. OPP commissioner defends officers' conduct at site of Indigenous land dispute. Niagara Falls Review. October 26, 2020.
  98. News: Forester. Brett. October 23, 2020. Six Nations elected council addresses controversial agreement with developer, condemns injunctions. APTN National News. October 25, 2020.
  99. News: Land Back Lane marks 150 days... where is Carolyn Bennett? . 23 December 2020 . Turtle Island News . 16 December 2020 . 30 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201230180255/https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.php/2020/12/16/land-back-lane-marks-150-days-where-is-carolyn-bennett/ . dead .
  100. News: January 19, 2021. 1492 Land Back Lane demonstrators plan to move back barricades on Highway 6 bypass. CBC News. February 1, 2021.
  101. News: Gray. Victoria. January 20, 2021. 1492 Land Back Lane land defenders move traffic barricades back, MTO inspects Hwy 6 bypass. The Turtle Island News. February 1, 2021. May 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509233251/https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.php/2021/01/20/1492-land-back-lane-land-defenders-move-traffic-barricades-back-mto-inspects-hwy-6-bypass/. dead.
  102. News: Mitchell. Don. January 25, 2021. Reopening of Highway 6 in Caledonia will take weeks, says OPP. Global News. February 1, 2021.
  103. News: Charlotte. Morritt-Jacobs. McDougall. Allana. June 12, 2021. Ryerson statue head on pike at Land Back Lane small 'token' of justice says Skyler Williams. APTN National News. June 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210612162548/https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/ryerson-statue-head-on-pike-at-land-back-lane-small-token-of-justice-says-skyler-williams/. June 12, 2021.
  104. News: Brown. Desmond. Craggs. Samantha. July 2, 2021. Year-long Six Nations protest forces cancellation of major development in Caledonia, Ont.. CBC News. August 31, 2021.
  105. News: Forester . Brett . May 31, 2022 . OPP try and alter figures to manipulate $21M cost of policing occupation in Caledonia . APTN National News . June 9, 2022.
  106. News: Forester. Brett. December 21, 2021. Court cancels permanent injunction in Caledonia, grants land back spokesman's appeal. APTN National News. January 14, 2022.
  107. News: Strength of Two Buffalo. August 25, 2020. Banner drop protest on Hwy. 11 on Friday was in support of Six Nations land defenders. MuskokaRegion.com. October 13, 2020.
  108. News: Hosgood. Amanda Follett. October 10, 2020. Indigenous Land Rights Action Blocks Northern BC Highway. The Tyee. October 13, 2020.
  109. News: Law. Sarah. October 13, 2020. 'This isn't just an issue in Caledonia': Muskokans show solidarity with 1492 Land Back Lane. Gravenhurst Banner. October 13, 2020.
  110. News: October 25, 2020. Demonstrators march in Caledonia to support land reclamation camp. CBC News. October 26, 2020.
  111. News: Forrester. Brett. August 25, 2020. Judge extends Caledonia injunctions, names Skyler Williams as defendant. APTN National News. December 15, 2020.
  112. News: Forrester. Brett. October 22, 2020. 'The contempt continues': Land Back Lane spokesperson could be on hook for $20M damage claim. APTN National News. December 15, 2020.
  113. Web site: October 28, 2020. Open Letter From The Williams Family Regarding Their Rights and Safety. December 15, 2020. Yellowhead Institute.
  114. News: Pashagumskum. Jamie. May 19, 2021. 1492 Land Back Lane spokesman turns self in after 10 months on the land. APTN National News. May 20, 2021.
  115. News: Antonacci. J. P.. April 20, 2021. Six Nations hereditary leaders declare development moratorium in Haldimand Tract. The Hamilton Spectator. April 23, 2021.
  116. News: Forester. Brett. April 20, 2021. Haudenosaunee chiefs declare development moratorium across entire Haldimand Tract. APTN National News. April 23, 2021.
  117. News: Turcotte. Stephen. April 20, 2021. Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council calls for ban on development of Haldimand Tract. CTV News. April 23, 2021.
  118. News: Forester . Brett . Elected chief of Six Nations tries to unify sides ahead of land claim fight . 2 May 2021 . APTN National News . 26 April 2021.

References

External links

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