[IPSM] Palestinian Flag Raised in Support of Caledonia Land Claims Dispute.

[hhazel at gmail.com]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Khaled Mouammar <benwalid at rogers.com>
Date: May 5, 2006 5:23 PM
Subject: Palestinian Flag Raised in Support of Caledonia Land Claims
Dispute.
To: Equity and Accountability <equityandaccountability at yahoogroups.ca>

May 3, 2006

*Palestinian Flag Raised in Support of Caledonia Land Claims Dispute.*

Representatives of the Niagara Palestinian Association today visited the
site of the first nations land claims blockade. A Palestinian flag was
presented to the Onkwehonweh clan mothers, chiefs, braves and solidarity
community who are camped out at the blockade. The Palestinian flag was
raised by the head of security, a native from New York, and a young brave.
It looks beautiful flapping in the sky on the same pole below the proud
Mohawk flag. Palestinian hattas or scarves, a universal symbol of
resistance, and food were given as gifts.

Palestinians know too well the theft of land and natural resources, daily
oppression, atrocities and genocide committed against Aboriginal Peoples by
colonialists at every corner of the Earth. 78% of Palestine was stolen by
Jewish and international Zionists to create the state of Israel. Another 12%
has been stolen for the creation of the Israeli apartheid wall. Only 10% of
Palestine remains in Arab hands. And even that is occupied and controlled by
Israeli military forces. Within the Palestinian land that has now been
re-named "Israel", Palestinian Arabs are systematically discriminated
against and officially treated as second and third class citizens.
Palestinians have had so much taken from them, but still Israel and the US
ask them to give up even more for "peace". A peace that we know will never
come from Israeli hands.

*ONE OF 600 NATIVE LAND CLAIMS*

The parcel of land in Caledonia is only one of about 600 native land claims
currently tied up in Canadian courts. What happens in Caledonia will be a
good predictor of what will happen with the other 600 claims. So it is
obvious why the Onkwehonweh must protect this land. Even though the native
land claim is currently being battled out in the courts, Henco Industries a
housing developer, was allowed to buy the land and to begin construction of
houses.

*HENCO INDUSTRIES - NATIVE BURIAL SITE*

Henco Industries removed 2 to 3 feet of soil from the areas they have
started building on. Henco then illegally removed this soil from the area,
which probably contains human remains and native artifacts. A native burial
site has been found on an area that Henco had sectioned off as their next
area for excavation. At least this evidence is still accessable. And the
native cemetery has the chance of being rededicated and preserved.

*HISTORY OF THE LAND CLAIM*

According to Hazel Hill, spokesperson for Six Nations Caledonia "this land
has been the focal point where our people have gathered, are Land to which
the Women, as titleholders to the land, according to our Kaianereh'ko:wa,
have been protecting. The men, in accordance with the Kaianereh'ko:wa, are
supporting and protecting the Women. This same Land has been tied up in
Canada's land claim process for over 20 years, brought on by the elective
band council, an arm of the federal government. This legislated system, was
created by the Indian Act of 1876 and was forced upon us at gunpoint in 1924
by the RCMP and repeated again in 1959. It is not a lawful government, nor
is it a system which the traditional people can support or have a voice in.
This is the same Land which Henco Industries has been allowed to clear,
build roads and begin the construction of several homes regardless of the
continued and historical position of the Onkwehonweh......"

This Six Nations dispute in Caledonia is over lands purchased by the
government and given to them by an act of the Crown. In a very unusual
situation, the British Crown gave the Six Nations property to Iroquois
followers of Chief Joseph Brant in 1783 as a reward for fighting on the side
of the British during the American Revolution. Iroquis in New York State had
lost their land under a treaty signed with the United States. As
compensation they were given this huge tract of land through Southwestern
Ontarion, 6 miles on either side of the Grand River. Originally about
385,000 hectacres, the property shrank over time through government action
and land sales to about 19,000 hecacres.

Hazel Hill continues, "We also maintain that the relationship with Crown is
based on the principles outlined in the Two Row Wampum. We would travel
together, each in our own vessel, on distinct and separate paths; never to
interfere with the Laws of each other. Again, we abide by those principles
outlined in the Two Row Wampum. Canada has clearly portrayed the message
that "might is right". When a situation of ownership is challenged, their
laws allow them to continue to reap the benefits of our Land, destroy our
environment, and clearly ignore the truth of the Onkwehonweh, the real
people, who hold title to the Land. When challenged to provide the proof,
they resort to
guns and army tanks. Canada has violated the Two Row Wampum Treaty.
In it's continuing policy of Genocide, the corporation of CANADA has
attempted to usurp our title. The Onkwehonweh, in and around so-called Six
Nations Reserve, have now, under Kaianereh'ko:wa, State of Peace, exercised
our Title and Right to the Land.

*OPP ATTACK*

*On Thursday April 20, the OPP attempted to force the Onkwehonweh off their
land.* In a pre-dawn raid the OPP drew guns on 16 sleeping braves. As they
slept they were pepper-sprayed and woke staring down the barrel of OPP guns.
All 16 natives were arrested, two requiring hospital treatment. Women were
beaten, an elder man thrown to the ground while walking toward the OPP
to peacefully talk to them. Others were shot with taser guns.

Hazel Hill, "The OPP, underestimated our resolve, to peacefully maintain
hold of our Land."

*THOUSANDS SUPPORT BLOCKADE*

In response to the OPP clearing the area of these 16 natives, hundreds of
others entered the site and set up a more permanent camp. On the weekends
thousands of natives and non-native supporters are at the camp.

*EXPECTED PROTEST FRIDAY MAY 5*

Talk in town indicates that this Friday, May 5th there will be yet another
protest organized by white supremacists and KKK types against the land claim
and native blockade.

*ASSISTANCE NEEDED*

The Onkwehonweh require your assistance, with respect to Treaties, including
the Two Row Wampum, and to support the blockade. They are asking Friends and
Allies to intervene in this situation. Please write to your MPs and the
media to show your support. *And visit the camp at Caledonia*. Donations of
tents, blankets, food and first aid supplies will be welcomed.

*CARPOOL*

 We plan to visit again and bring both moral support and supplies.

If you would like to join us, please call Susan at 905-984-6515.

If you travel on your own, simply introduce yourself to Six Nations reps at
the blockade and they'll let you in. If you ask, there are people happy to
walk you around the camp and show you the native burial site they are also
protecting

Thanks, Susan.



--
The symbols of social order--the police, the bugle calls in the barracks,
the military parades and the waving flags--are at one and the same time
inhibitory and stimulating; for they do not convey the message "Don't dare
to budge"; rather, they cry out "Get ready to attack."
-Frantz Fanon
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/ipsm-l/attachments/20060505/98a67bcf/attachment.html>