Bluejay

Clearly, there are people on ALL sides that will say things that are not based on facts that speak for all the REST of the people...that is human. Please do not believe that ALL 6Nations people have this attitude, because I can assure you, they do not. Just as with the violence that has erupted on both sides....not all in one group can keep everyone in line at every moment. That is impossible. But I do know that the Elders and leaders at 6Nations have tried very hard to try and keep things in line and perhaps many on the Caledonia side have tried to ask that their fellows refrain from making remarks and doing things hurtful as well. I think there again, there is good and bad in all things and all groups. To throw out a figure as large as a "Trillion" is the easiest way possible to freak people out and make the job of negotiating anything good far more difficult. When someone hears a trillion dollars, the first thing they do is say, "We can never manage this! This is impossible!" And in frustration and fear, all true negotiating stops. I don't believe that is what the People are asking nor is the government hearing. Best to wait and see what the negotiations bring. Both sides have a difficult path ahead in this work, but I know they CAN and MUST work together. Hopefully all of us out here can support the work that both sides are doing in this effort. So, as I have said previously, I am staying around here in peace....to learn from YOU all and hopefully to share what ever tiny bit of knowledge is floating around in this old head too. And peaceful, respectful discussions, showing respect for each person is the only way anything in this world will be made good for all. So that is all that I am about. And no, I do not have all the solutions...I know some things about the 6Nations people because I have had the honor of walking along side some amazing peacemakers there. But likewise, there is much I can learn from listening with an open mind here as well. Ok, off the soapbox! LOL! blessings to all, Bluejay

I understand that feeling you state here "Cybercoma"....I truly do. Perhaps that is why I state the fact that the issues are in question with Governmental policies that have led up to this point. I am not an economist nor historian. I do not have answers as to the remedies and do not want to see any person carry the burdens made by political systems which have allowed these situations to come to the point where they are. That is why I have stressed that we as people led by governing, elected authorities call THEM into higher accountability for what has led us to this point. I truly wish that we could all move forward in good, solid ways where agreemnts are fair and kept with some degree of honor. For ALL people, not giving special treatment in any one direction. In my heart, I wish so very much for all of us to look at why we are turning on each other, when in fact we should be unified and demanding accountability from the "hidden" agendas within all the governments. That is what I wish for in a peaceful way. There have been policies made, agreements broken on all sides. I am not favoring anything that harms to the level that paying back 1 trillion dollars (by the way, where are the statements from 6Nations on legal documents that ask for this figure, Riverwind? Is this some media generated figure? None of the legal documents I have seen show this, so if you have a link or proof of that, I would be most grateful to read and see it. Truly, I am not being sarcastic here, I am just asking for more information on my end ok? Thanks) Anyway, I will leave it at that for now. Need to get offline and get some home things worked on. I wish everyone a great afternoon. Back later, blessings to you all, Bluejay

Sorry to start a new topic folks, but I didn't want this weblink to get LOST in the longer discussion on the other thread. This is the link to Canadian attorney, Janice Switlo. This website contains good ACCURATE info to address the treaties, proclamations and etc. Janice has been working along 6Nations and so provides good info. Janice replied to us with: refer him to my site to read about treaties, starting with "In a perfect world" to read about the Royal Proclamation. The Caledonia matter is a treaty matter, not a Royal Proclamation matter. Here is the link: www.switlo.com Thanks everyone, Bluejay

You asked- What I would honestly like to know is what the native peoples involved hope to accomplish? Do they want to evacuate all these residents from their homes? Do they just want compensation from the government for the land? What is it that they want? My friend.... I can only answer from what I know of SOME of the negotiations that have been taking place. So what I share here in response to you is limited only to what I have been told and I share from my personal perspective alone.... No, I don't believe that 6Nations is wanting to remove people from the homes they have all ready been living in, that are not part of the NEW Douglas Creek Estates. I don't think that 6Nations dishonors the fact that there have been Caledonian people right beside them for quite some time. What the main crux of this is about is the broken agreements that are CURRENT! We all seem to be focused only on the 200 year old treaties and agreements made back then. WRONG! That is only a part of this issue and the reference back to the treaties is needed to prove original ownership. How about all the leases and binding contracts that have been made in current times...using current law and binding contracts in place between two parties? I guess the best way to share what the 6Nations perspective is, is to share a letter to the Editor that I shared a while back. I will post it at the end of this message to you. Perhaps that will help in understanding what some of this battle is about. We all as current citizens of this planet have come to trust our laws, rules and governments to abide by established ways of doing "business." But what happens when one party does not honor any of the current laws? Well, one side sues the other, they argue things in court and such...until the damaged party is paid in full for whatever the contract was for. Yes? I think THAT is the primary issue involved here. Henco industries KNEW that the land was in dispute before they EVER went onto the land and began building. That is not the 6Nations people's fault...it is the Governing officials there in Canada who allowed this. Seems to me that we should perhaps quit fighting against each other, and begin looking into some of the "hidden government" deals that seem like private agreements made that really were illegally done. 6Nations representatives did NOT agree to the Henco moves and as such, there is a problem. I believe with all my heart that there are ways to work through this if we simply acknowledge that ALL of us would want current, binding contracts honored. The railroad and others owe a great deal of money to the 6Nations people in lease agreements that have not been honored. These are the CURRENT legal disputes....not old treaties. 6Nations people are astonished and angry that tons of money would be spent out of Canadian govt. funds to "buy back" the land and pay off the developer. That is Canadian hard-earned money from the people of Canada! You see? 6Nations really is confused as to why their fellow Canadians are not hammering the governing authorities. WHY has this enormous amount of money been paid out to people who knew there was a land dispute in place to begin with? Doesn't this make you question just who inside this "deal" is making money for their "buddies?" Sounds like stuff we deal with down here in our U.S. government for sure. So, simply consider that part of it ok? So, here is the letter I sent to the papers. I just wanted to place the perspective off simply being "Native vs. Non-Native" and show all people that they would be upset if they were being treated likewise. I really think that all Canadians should be pushing their leadership for answers on this. There is some "funny business" in the dealings and I think THAT part should be the focus....not hating each other of opposite races. But then this is just my opinion. And so bottom line to your question? No, I do not believe that 6Nations intent is to take things away from their fellow Canadians. I think the main focus is that they should have their legally binding "contracts"....both current and historic, ho0nored just the same as all other binding legal contracts are treated. here is my letter: I am writing today to ask the readership here to think upon a certain scenario. Make this a personal thing...feel the "ownership" in this scenario as you ponder these things. You inherit your Grandparents home and you now have the care over that home and the land it sits upon. You could never sell it for that would be like selling your own memories away...your own heritage is held inside the walls of that home. The only way to afford to keep the home is to rent it out. You sign all the legal documents with the Renters and then you find out that they are "remodeling" it...tearing things out, building new things upon the land WITHOUT your permission! Then these same renters refuse to pay you the rental money agreed by contract for several months on end. Now....what do you do? Let these renters, who have no respect for the special home and ground they are living in and upon, stay there for free? Do you demand that repairs to the home and land be made immediately? Do you follow through with all the necessary legal remedies available to you in order to kick the people OUT of your property? If you are like most people? Yes, of course you will REMOVE these people from your precious family home and land. Now, what if, the very legal system and governmental agencies turned on you....on all the agreements you have made through contracts, law, order and systems of government fail to provide you any remedy? These systems and laws do NOT aid you in protecting what is YOURS? Would you be angry? Feel deceived and betrayed? Yes, I am SURE you would. Are you feeling the anger yet? The betrayal? Good. You have now just endured 5 minutes or less of being Native American. They have endured these treatments for hundreds of years. How to "fix" the current problems with 6Nations and other indigenous people who are finally sick and tired of lies and breaking of legal contracts? Simple. Those who have entered into agreements with the Sovereign Nations of Canada should pay their rent and lease fees, keep their word, stop breaking the laws and realize that no one OWNS the Earth....we are merely caretakers for the next generations to come. There now. Wasn't that simple? Pay what you promised, keep your contracts honored and be fair. Gee, that was a simple solution. Bluejay Pierce proud to be Lakota/Cree from USA

Jerry wrote- I ask the author of this thread to explain to me how it is that land that was surrendered to the crown by representatives of the natives with complete and verifiable documentation can now become subject of a disputed claim. Jerry, I would be more than happy to share from what knowledge I have of these things. I do not take offense to your asking these things nor do I think you are alone in your position on this. If anything, I think this is the biggest question that most Non-native people (and even some Native people!) have about this issue. Let me write up what basic information I have about this and I will post it back here in the forum. Sometimes, it takes me a bit of time to get back through hundreds of "papers" in my emails to be able to pull out what is needed and what is not...so be patient with me, and I will be happy to share what information I do have. I assure you, there is amassed a great deal of information about this land claim. And I would ask everyone to remember this part of Native approach to "land issues" because this is another primary reason that we cannot seem to reach understanding between our races. We did not live in one geographic area though one area might be felt to be more "home" than others. We saw no "lines" drawn upon the Earth where one "ownership" met up with another. We did not think that way. There has been a drastic change in the way that our People had to learn these things about the new way and the new laws. This is still a major difference between us. One man recently attacked me in another group about how these "treaties" were made 200 years ago...he said, "We live in the NOW not the the 'then' and so should all those Indians." To this comment, I tried my best to focus on how differently WE look at the agreements made and how the Non-Native people looked at and still DO look at these agreements. When the People gave their word on the Two Row Wampum, in using the Sacred Pipe, or any other "Sacred" means of making a promise? That promise was made involving the Creator and based within our Spiritual beliefs as well. Those kinds of agreements were NEVER to be broken because they were placed alongside a SACRED promise. That is why there have been SO many Indigenous people across the USA and Canada (and worldwide) that have been shocked and dismayed at the breaking of these promises. The misunderstanding of anothers cultural ways, the language barriers, the spiritual differences have all aided to the confusion. After hundreds of years of the non-native people saying and doing ONE thing and then breaking that vow and doing totally different things? Of course there is confusion, anger and mistrust. Why would there not be. All I ask is that we try and acknowledge that OUR way is so very different than the non-native way. In trying to understand that, I think we can forge a good path ahead. Ok, enough rambling here I will share the Treaty info as soon as I can round it up for you. Pilamaye (thank you) for asking these vital questions and allowing me to share what I know of the answer. Blessings to you Jerry, Bluejay

TAWOW ( in my language, Cree) Hau Mita Kola, (hello my friend) Apetu Yuwakape (blessed day to you!) Lakota language back to your Cree HOWEVER, there are many that have offered an open mind and are actually willing to listen and discuss varied views on our issues, which is the only reason I am still here. Often it has become very disheartening to learn how much the racism is still alive today and no matter what positive things we share on behalf of our people, many are attempting to dismantle all or any of this. It is my hope that through the sharing of education, historical facts and open ears and minds that we can overcome this sad state of affairs which is igniting much of the hostility we are witnessing today. My friend, there will always be some who refuse to listen and try to undersatnd another culture. But thankfully, there are as well, those who will at least give SOME effort to trying to understand another position. I am glad you are here too, to stand for what our People know is truth. I thank you (AIY HIY) for your bravery and your committment to the advancement of our people's. and I acknowledge your courage and committment to you as well. I cannot tell you the HUNDREDS of hours I have spent along side this issue trying my best to present the real facts. Glad to know you are here, and we will make this be "Mamao atoskeyw kamik" Bluejay

Hello everyone! I found this message board by accident and happy that I did! My name is Bluejay and I have been helping the 6Nations spokeswoman, Jacqueline House, with press, letters, and getting information out across the net. She and I have worked so very hard trying to get accurate info. out which has proven interesting since I am in Montana and she is in Caledonia!! But, where there is a will, there is a way. Just so you all know a bit about who I am.... I am a writer and deal with Native issues, environmental and wildlife protection issues as well. My Grandfather LaVay was Mneconjou Lakota and Saskatchewn Cree...rest of me is Irish So there ya' go! I look forward to meeting and getting to know ALL of you here! I wanted to share a letter from Jacqueline that I posted just today and began sending to the leadership in Canada. Thought it might give some perspective on how the 6Nations people are struggling with the Caledonia residents right now as well as some background on Judge Marshall. Blessings to you all, Bluejay August 10, 2006 Scano As you all know Tuesday August 8th was a stressful time for us at Kanastaton. We were robbed of our fate once again by Judge David Marshall, who forgot what it is like to be On gwa hoh weh as he lost site of who he is a long time ago. Though he is not blood, he has the knowledge of knowing what we endured for many endless years from the constant attacks of the government through the stealing of our land. A part of the education process of our past is educating all of us and reminding us of who we are. Believe it or not but Judge Marshall is a tiny part of that past as well as the people of Caledonia. David Marshall started out at one time with the passion of caring for others as he practiced being a doctor to some of our people. Our elders remember this man and talk of him as if he were someone else. He understood our ways and we trusted in him, so when we asked him to step down we thought he would consider and reflect back of the past as he states in his book written in 2002 that he is, “an Honorary Chief to the Six Nations” and knows what this means to be adopted into our Nation. He represented some of our people a long time ago and walked them through the legal aspect of law as he studied and practiced being a lawyer. What he at one time meant to some is not forgotten and today he reminds them of what once was is no longer, in his eyes. He knew the moment he served and enforced his injunction that he was not only going against his own people but Her Majesty as well and make no mistake he knows of the Treaties that entwine our justice. He had the opportunity to study our people when they trusted him and spoke to him while he listened to the many stories being told, who knew that someday he would use to manipulate our traditions. I fully understand how those that are accused of a crime they have not committed get locked up sometime for years before the courts realize they made a mistake but who punishes those with the mallet in their hands for the life they stole away, or is this part of, “Rule of Law?” And as far as the people of Caledonia, they too got to know our elders with the understanding and respect of who we are and what we contributed to the outside world, so that they could live free. I know there are a few of you that is left so I am asking you to do the right thing by stepping up and start teaching your people the importance of respecting and acknowledging our Treaties. Our fight is not with the people of Caledonia, but those new and ignorant to our past is trying to make it this way. When I read in the paper how scared and frightened some people are, I ask, “for what?” They don’t have the threat of the Army coming in on their loved ones and money is not everything, lives are and how the lives get taken. But someday their lays the deathbed and the sins we commit, we will have to answer. As a child growing up with respect, honesty and trust, I believe what we are taught, “When you lie, you are only lying to yourself!” Yesterday my youngest daughter asked what Prejudice meant. Here’s what I told her. “When you seen the way some of the Caledonia residence were acting, that is Prejudice.” If they were looking for justice then they would not be directing it at us and calling us names because of the color of our skin and demanding us off land that we have title to. They wouldn’t be throwing rocks, golf balls at us, nor tearing down our flags. That is hateful behavior and that is what it is to be Prejudice. “Do not let your heart fill with these kind of ugly feelings and allow them to change you for who you are inside because the Creator made all of us and for you to turn against any mans color would be saying the Creator did wrong and that we know he didn’t.” “He put us here to care and respect one another’s ways and that we must do because everyone is entitled to feel the way they choose to as he never made us this way, we are taught!” As I sit back and reflect at what I see and hear, I am amazed that when I study those people with their hateful ways and their cries to get what they want, I have to shake my head and say to myself. “Teach your children whether they are 12, 19, and 30 years old to learn respect. They have no business interfering with justice and if they want to help, stay out of conflict, don’t put them in it. We have every right to be standing up for our inherent rights and if it weren’t for us, you would not be here above all living free. If it were any of my children I would be telling them to mind there own business and stop corrupting the rest of the town by instigating trouble. To me this is the behavior of dictatorship, as those vile words spill out to say they want to have power as they cry out, “White Power.” I feel for those that are encouraging their children to be bullies and hateful by pushing them to become just as ugly. Look at yourself in the mirror and search inside of yourself. Who are you? When our men get out of hand, it is us women that lock arms and ask our men to step back and because they respect us, they do. Not because we are scared but because we are better for not allowing change to happen to us, as this has already been done to our people when that outside stripped us of natural ways of living and forced us to learn a foreign language. If one had to endure all the hardship our people have had to deal with and all the changes you tell me if today you would willingly walk off the land? So what I am saying to you that have your children, boys, so called men out there, teach them something but only if you love them. We are not asking for a lot other than respect us who we are and help us correct the wrongdoings done to us. When it comes to law, before you try further cram the Rules of law down our throats, practice them yourself! Marie Trainer has incited hate crimes to happen; infact, she encouraged this to happen. Tune into Peace and Solidarity with Six Nations and you will see how she incites this to go on and because you are law biding citizens, charge her. And what about the hand made sign on someone’s yard that says, “bring in the Army,” these are acts of Terrorism. Who is being charged for burning our flags and ripping them down and who is looking into it for the so call justice? My words to you are, “take a long hard look at reality and stop living in a fairytale world because the truth is we are here to stay, whether you approve/like or not. The fact that you fly your Canadian Flag enlightens me as Canada does not exist as a country without us and those flags that you are so proud of, find the reason why you are proud of them as they represent us, On gwa hon weh (True People) and most importantly respect the Anthem, “Oh Canada, your home on native land. So feel free to fly as many flags as you want, I love it! Nya weh Always Jacqueline