Six Nations traditional government wants moratorium on development of Haldimand Tract
Without land to grow, 'Haudenosaunee children will suffer the harms of colonialism,' says hereditary chief
TheHaudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) has announced a moratorium on development in the Haldimand Tract a heavily populatedarea covering roughly 384,451 hectaresalong Ontario'sGrand River.
The council, which is thetraditional government of the Six Nations of the Grand River, on Tuesdaymorning called for the ban on building, saying that no developmentcan proceed without the consent ofthe Haudenosaunee.
"It is time to end the injustice. We want the land that is ours. We are not interested in approving fraudulent dispossessions of the past," saidDeyohowe:to (Roger Silversmith), Cayuga Snipe chief.
"We are not interested in selling land."
Deyohowe:to called for anyone currently developing, or in the process of rolling out a development, to stop.
He provided few specifics for howthemoratoriumwould beenforced or how companies wishing to construct within the tract could negotiate to do so.
The Haldimand Tractwas granted to Six Nations of the Grand River in 1784 for allying with the British during the American Revolution. The land ran along roughly 10 kilometreson each side of theGrand River from its source in the region around Waterhen, Ont., to Lake Erie.
Six Nations, which has thelargest population of any reserve in Canada, now has less than five per cent, or 18,615 hectares, of its original land base.
"It is time to lift away the cloud of denial and wipe away the politics that darken the vision of our future," saidDeyohowe:to.
"Developers, they need to stop digging in our land and to come forward now and do the process that's right. There's no more taking our lands. This stuff has to stop."
There was"alittle discussion"with theSix Nations of the Grand River elected council about plans for the moratorium, he added.
Selling some land 'always a possibility': chief
Theelected council did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the announcement.Representatives of Brantford and the Region of Waterloo, which fall within the tract,also did not respond right away.
Haldimand County, which borders on the Six Nations reserve, said it is reviewing the HCCC'sstatement and "its associated implications."
When asked how the moratorium would function,Deyohowe:to pointed to theHaudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI), set up by the council to represent it when it comes to development.
Watch: 'Anybody developing ... they need to stop'
Developers would have to meet with the HDIand go through its process, he said.
The announcement does not mean that no land will be sold, according to the hereditary chief, who said some portions have been leased out and can be negotiated, so "there's always a possibility there."
There's currentlyno consultation with the chief's council when it comes to development in the area, so the HCCC said it's not clear how many projects are going forward without its knowledge or consent,reporters were told during a technical briefing Monday morning.
In a statement released before the announcement,Deyohowe:to said no one, including Canada, Ontario or a municipality has any right to interfere with theHaudenosaunee's rights to protect the land and water.
"Without land to grow as a community, more generations of Haudenosaunee children will suffer the harms of colonialism," he said.
The release adds that while the land is shared "with our allies andwe all agree to uphold the agreements between our people to live in peace, friendship and trust," the council's vision for the future is based on protecting the land forgenerations to come.
'Whatever it takes' to make sure rights are upheld
Tuesday marks 15 years since Ontario Provincial Police conducted a raid on protesters occupying asubdivision project,called Douglas Creek Estates,which was eventually purchased by the Ontario government.
It also marks 275 days since demonstrators took over anotherparcel of land slated for a subdivision in Caledonia, renaming it 1492 Land Back Lane.
Skyler Willaims, a spokesperson for the group, was also on hand for the announcement Tuesday.
Theoccupation of the McKenzie Meadows developmenthas stretched on for months, and includedblockadesacross area roads,court ordersto remove people staying thereanddozens of arrests.
Foxgate Developments, a partnership betweenLosaniand Ballantry Homes, maintains the site was legally purchased.
The company recentlyfiled a statement of claim in Ontario Superior Courtseeking $200 million in damages. It names the province, the Attorney General of Canada, Ontario Provincial Policeand individual Indigenous demonstrators, as well as supporters.
The lawsuit claims officials were negligent and failed to take all reasonable steps that could have "prevented the illegal or continued occupation" of the land, noting it has 176 sales agreements with different purchasers.
It alleges the company suffered "catastrophic" damage to its reputation,and has been"branded by the general public as having stolen the land from Indigenous persons."
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
The Land Back Lane demonstrators say the site isuncededHaudenosauneeterritory.
Askedaboutenforcement of the moratorium,Deyohowe:to said the HCCC is committed to peacefully resolving the longstanding issues.
He also referenced a new generation that's taking land rights issues "in their own hands."
Williams said he believes there should be a "trigger mechanism" withinCrown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada so that whenever someone makes a claim for disputed lands,officials aredispatched to work out an agreement.
The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In response to a reporter's question about whether or not developers who don't abide by the moratorium should expect an occupation similar to 1492 Land Back Lane, Williamssaid there are thousands of people living at Six Nations and"many more that are anxious and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that our land rights are upheld."
With files from Jorge Barrera
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