[IPSM] Mohawks dispute development in Deseronto

[nora butler burke]

Mohawks dispute development in Deseronto
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 7, 2006 | 11:37 AM ET
CBC News

A Mohawk chief is asking the federal government to stop a developer from 
building on disputed land in southeastern Ontario ? reminiscent of the
start  of a standoff that continues between Six Nations protesters and a
developer  in Caledonia.

Don Maracle is chief of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, a reserve about
80  kilometres west of Kingston.

He said the Mohawks, who are Six Nations members, never surrendered the 
nearly 8.5 hectares of privately owned land in Deseronto where a developer
 plans to start building a new subdivision.

Much of the land has waterfront access to Lake Ontario's Bay of Quinte,
and  construction is slated to begin on Nov. 15.

But Maracle said the construction has not been properly negotiated with
the  Tyendinaga Mohawks.

"We believe it's absolutely imperative that the developer should not
proceed  with the development unless there's some sort of arrangement made
that's  agreeable to our people," Maracle said, adding that the agreement
must be  brokered by the federal government.

He said he has already met with government officials.

Meanwhile, Tim Letch, head of the development company that plans to build 
the subdivision, said he is also planning to meet with Maracle.

But he would not say he was willing to postpone the development.

"We're going to try and keep it along the lines of what's right," Letch 
said. "I believe the federal government should resolve the matter properly
 with the native people. But I don't think it's my responsibility to
resolve  it."

Maracle said he wants to maintain the peace in the tight-knit community 
where natives and non-natives have lived side by side for generations.

"I don't believe any of the citizens want to see any kind of quarrel among
 neighbours over the property, and I think we would like to see that
harmony  continue."

Six Nations protesters have occupied another Ontario development on land 
near Caledonia, about 88 kilometres southwest of Toronto, since February.