Posit

I really do care less about inequity. We should all have equal rights... That is a contradiction. One cannot support "equal rights" when the law, or society does not protect equitable rights. They go hand in hand an attempting to separate them makes you in support of neither. "Equal rights" are a myth and are unattainable as long as inequities exists. The law provides equal access to people in society to common and reasonable services. Yet less than 1% of Canadians hold some kind of disability, we have laws that make 100% of new buildings where reasonable access must be provided, to be barrier free. We have religious rights that provide for inequities to exist in order for one to choose and practice their religion. We have inequities between the rich and the poor, between those with status and those marginalized by our justice, health and education system. In order to provide for equality - as you say you advocate - we must be willing to devolve ourselves from a market-based system to a socialist driven system, devoid of discretionary authority, and or personal choice being sacrificed over group dominance. Everyone - Natives included - have inherent rights as human beings. The problem for us is that ours have been limited by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (an oxymoron). These limits allow the government to interfere in our personal decision making / righteousness in favour of others, and allow government to further restrict our rights and freedoms by writ. And lastly what you miss is that the inherent rights entrenched in our Constitution suggest that we have no right to limit rights of aboriginals because their rights as nations, as peoples and as groups predate our commitment to Confederation. They are not exempt from the limits of rights and freedoms entrenched in the Charter. They are no subject to them because they were here first. And if we were to invite them to join us as citizens of Canada, under the laws of Canada and subscribing to the Charter on an equal basis, then we must remove the inequities first - provide the same economic opportunities, the same heath care and education systems and funding that ordinary Canadians receive through our system of government. As it stands aboriginals are neither treated equitable, or equal in Canada and that is evidenced by hundreds of data based on health access, economic opportunity, educational disparages etc. No you don't want equality. You want submission.

The scuttlebutt is that Minister Prentice is on his way out as INAC Minister. He can't take the heat. However, the key to INAC policy is :" it will only happen on a willing-seller/willing-buyer basis." There can be all kinds of non-violent, non-intimidating methods of enticing someone to sell - most importantly, the right price, and the feds have shown they have lots of cash to wave around. Houses are being bought up as we speak. The rest will be charged a rent in lieu of taxes as the town of Deseronto disappears from the list of provincial municipalities. It is apparent Geoff that you neither care about the law, or injustice caused by inequity. This is a legal matter that is being resolved in a peaceful manner. The thing about it is just because the Mohawks are taking action doesn't mean it is violent or illegal. BTW the only violence so far has come from the OPP and the army guys that tried to run over some protesters running an information line back in November.

Making a legal argument - even one that is Charter based is hardly racist. But I do understand that you don't like to lose and bring out the racist card when you are at a loss for words. This is as current and relevant today as it was 150 years ago. Only Indians couldn't hire lawyers, go to court and make petitions to government until about 50 years ago. And it has taken them years just to research the claims since the government continues to withhold evidence. From what I understand the Culbertson Tract was brought to our government's attention over 40 years ago and they still haven't done anything about - even though is is a valid claim. The land was never turned over.

So, so wrong. The Indian Act applies to all territories within the Territory. The Culbertson Tract was never taken out of the territory - something the feds have admitted - and so the Act applies totally and exclusively over and above ANY provincial application. The only point of negotiation is what to do with the squatters that are on the territory that shouldn't have been there in the first place. As of this week the Chief has submitted a timetable for return of the tract and with some hundred or so Mohawk households on the Tract and a whole lot more with their houses for sale, it shouldn't take too long. Of course the feds are going to buy out the residents but like any expropriation they have no rights. This reclamation is one of things things that falls "in the public interest" so non-natives will be moved out without any fuss to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. That comes from the latest rounds of negotiations as told by a friend of mine on the territory. The details are in the fine print. BTW there are no courts involved. This is a direct negotiation with the feds since they have admitted the Culbertson belongs to the Mohawks.

Wrong again. Under the Indian Act the province has absolutely no jurisdiction. No taxing authority. No title authority. Not even highways, lakes or rivers. If you are going to debate a topic like this I would suggest that you study up first. You're looking silly. Borg mentioned his wife as evidence he wasn't a racist and said he didn't own her either..... The occupation is perfectly legal. The Nation Police are there and they cannot see any reason why people like you would be upset. The law is being complied with - the law of territorial ownership trumps any provincial or private interests...since again according to the Indian Act no one but an Indian can hold a certificate of possession on the territory.

The land owners are the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. The Federal government recognizes that. They are negotiating to try to figure out what to do with the people who have farms, rural homes and a good chunk of Deseronto on that territory. There really isn't a question about ownership. The very fact that you hold out your wife as a shield verifies the racist overtones in your voice. I feel sorry for her that you would use her ethnicity as a defense against YOUR own bigotry.

That and the filthy "bath-once-a-year-if we happen-to-be-near-water" Jesuits caused the majority of the deaths. The sad thing about the small pox blankets is that it was an attempt at biological warfare by our descendants to wipe out an entire race of people. Another shameful thing in our history....

Poor poor Borg...Just a poor racist without a cause....All your "evil white man" self pity should be channeled to something more constructive...perhaps like getting a real job...

I can understand why you would want to turn a deaf ear to the government because they are truly the lawbreakers. The police are their agents and have broken the law in the past with impunity. There are lots of natives who don't do right but in this case it seems they have crossed their tees and dotted their eys. Yet they haven't pissed off us locals since many of us support the return of their land, and compensation for all the years they have been without it. From what I hear when they want to piss off the locals, we will all know about it. Since I have a long fuse, it is not likely it will affect me. But I can see that you aren't even there and they got you, just like they planned...lol...

Well there were no "NO Trespassing" signs prohibiting access. I suppose that the operators figures that without a loader, it would be pretty hard to load a dump truck with a shovel. And ya know, if a guy is willing to try, then he deserves all the gravel he can heave...... There are reports that the OPP have been trying to make it a bigger issue by antagonizing the occupiers and the Nation police have managed to tell them to go pick beans. THAT's the unjust and unlawful way in which the OPP seem to operate. Next thing you know they will release a wildcat SWAT member to take a shot like they did with Dudley George....

The sign says: Welcome to Thurlow Sand and Gravel. Please proceed to the Site Office. There are no "NO Trespassing" signs anywhere. Kinda shoots your theory all to pot.....

With respect to the Americas, the Iroquois and and the Mayan were highly civilized agricultural societies that were attacked with the support of Christianity. In contrast the settlers that came here were fleeing persecution and poverty perpetuated by the wealthy Church in Europe. I do believe that if you examine the conquests and colonization of peoples all over the world, that you will find that Christianity destroyed more than it saved.

What a twit... I have a six figure income dough boy. LOL The difference is that I prefer true justices over the myths that people like you subscribe to. I prefer to see the on-going injustices settled once and for all. I prefer accountability over the kind of self-pity and blame that pedantic xenophobes constantly lay on the political table. Maybe YOU should get a REAL job that involves some physical labour. It might make a man out of you after all..... The natives have a valid legal case. If you cannot debate the merits of the legal position then I suggest that you go share recipes in the "Homemaker's Section".

The "other" side, Remiel.... The Mohawks ensured the quarry owner was given ample notice. He was notified in 1998 to desist and reminded in 2003. In January they told him that in 60 days they were coming to evict him. They gave him 75 days just in fairness and by the time they arrived all his equipment was gone and he was no where in sight. From what I hear they were in the process of sacrificing an virgin and drinking her blood. Of course there are some here who will believe that. They don't eat pork on Saturdays. The province has no jurisdiction over anything Native - taxation included - and the relationship is federal all the way. The Crown had a obligation not to break the law or to interfere with the treaty conditions. They promptly did both. There are no valid deeds for anywhere on the Culbertson Tract and if the province gets involved it is up to the feds to set them straight. The life they have been handed Borg, is the justice of righting the wrongs of the past. The hand that we have been dealt is to fold or bluff - neither of which is effective since First Nations hold all the cards from the Charter to the Supreme Court to moral and righteous reasoning. I would suggest that you learn to live with that. You'll be dealing with this the rest of your life and it will eat you alive if you continue to wallow in phallic self-pity.

I guess the abuse, murder rape and molestations we used on natives in residential stalags and the dumping and murder of Indians without coats in sub-freezing temperatures - all of which continue to contribute to our prosperity as Canadians are really "gifts" to Indians. And using the resources of the stolen lands to make concrete and supply raw materials for our houses and roads are simply payment for all the charity we have shown them. Is that what you would have us believe? The fact is that we are all here because of treaties and agreements and without those treaties - which we are committed to by law - we wouldn't even make it as poor dirt farmers. The fact is we are responsible for not holding up our side of the bargain and whenever a contract is not fulfilled, according to law they are entitled to evict and repossess whatever hasn't been paid for, and they are protected by our law for doing it. So we can either face the evictions and repossessions or we can sit down with Natives and say "Hey, I know my grandfathers didn't make it right so now we will negotiate a way where we can eventually make full restitution, with interest for that mistake." If we do not act responsibly and honourably and instruct our government to do likewise, then we are either in for a civil war, or we will forever burden our children with our own stubbornness. I say it is time to pay the piper since we have enjoy his music this long and I for one don't want to see my children suffer for OUR mistakes.

The preamble does set the basis for the document and it could be easily argued that an "act of God's supremacy" could over-rule the "rule of law" in the event of a conflict. By including it in the preamble to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms we have committed ourselves to the concept that God's Law holds equal or better authority over us. Until that preamble is removed from the Constitution, we are at the mercy of the non-secular argument in every rights issue. And of course it has adeptly been pointed out that our Christian God usurps the authority of Mohamed, Buddha or any other deity.

Ok. So you are asking Elders to take the blame for John Culbertson in cahoots with the Indian agent stealing 980 acres from their territory, even though the government of the day as well as the government of today recognize that land could not be sold or transfered to private interests? Huh? Are you for real? Culbertson Tract I agree with you it is time that the Mohawks stop the settlers from getting something for free and this recent eviction seems to be the only way to go. If you father stole a gun and you inherited it and failed to return it knowing it was stolen, then you are equally as guilty as your father for possessing stolen property. That is the law but I see that you prefer to exempt us from complying with our own laws while imposing them in full force on those who couldn't fight back. I smell a sense of fascism in your tone..... If you did a bit of background you would find that the Tyendinaga Reservation along with most of the Iroquois Allied reservations are the most prosperous in Canada. Tyendinaga in fact has a better economy than its neighbour Deseronto and most of Deseronto's economy comes from natives who live on the reservation and who live in town. I would be willing to bet that more than 25% of the residents earn more than you do. As a neighbour to their community I recognize a huge market with disposable income ready and willing to purchase products and yet your kind of talk is the exact reason that many natives refuse to shop here. Get off your high horse and stop pretending it is anything more than a Shetland pony.

So the "rule of law" means nothing to you. Are you an anarchist? If our grandparents made bad deals, then all we can do is ask to renegotiate them. Using white racism as an excuse to counter a bad deal is poorly thought out. It leaves us with a "you are a racist" taste in our mouths. Try presenting a legal or moral argument why we should try to get Quebecers to sally up to the Anglo way of doing things. My bet is there isn't one and you are only using racial inequality as an excuse to exercise your true bias.

Wrong. Its because the British made a deal and Quebecers are holding them to it. If you don't like it then I suggest you petition the government to renegotiate "the deal". But don't be surprised if they end up getting more concessions during the process because they, like aboriginals will not negotiate themselves to a loss when they hold the upper hand.

Canada is a non-secular society. "Constitution Act, 1982(1) SCHEDULE B CONSTITUTION ACT, 1982 PART I CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS Whereas Canada is founded upon the principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:" It is entrenched in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Maybe we should revolt against ourselves?

From what I have read in other media, the operator left the gates open. Under the law no one can be charged for trespass to a private property where the public is invited to do business, unless the business owner asks them to leave. That apparently hasn't happened. As well, the land is recognized by the federal government as belonging to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. It would be pretty hard to get a conviction, or to justify a police raid while occupying their own land. The government doesn't want land claims in the courts. That's why they have the Specific Lands Claims Commission. The point being made by this occupation is that it is counter productive to be simultaneously developing land, or extracting resources when a recognized land claims process is underway.

Napanee Guide "News - 3/23/2007 @ 12:00 A quarry operating on the disputed Culbertson Land Tract has been shut down by protesters. Thursday night around 5:30 a group of protesters, numbering roughly 150 and claiming to represent the interests of Mohawks moved in on the quarry. " When are we going to deal honourably with our First Nations instead of forcing them to take more drastic action...one piece at a time?

The "Public School Board" once used to be called the "Protestant School Board" and it has been publicly funded for eons.

It appears others are upset too... And so it begins, the fight is on! March 20thth 2007 Negotiation or Confrontation, it is Canada’s Choice stated the title of the Senate Committee’s recent release of a study on land claims. As predicted, in yesterday’s budget announcement the Conservative government chose Confrontation over Negotiation. Not only did the Conservatives ignore First Nations for the second time in budget priorities, they crippled any foreseeable future budgets by pledging at least three years of surpluses to their already announced spending commitments. Once the budget is passed, it will lock out First Nations for at least the next three years because there won’t be any room for any government to find the money to address First Nation land claims. For First Nations, this is a no hope budget, it sets out a confrontation agenda for First Nations and this Conservative government. “If you think that Brian Mulroney mishandled the Oka Crisis just consider how stupid Steven Harper will look by the fall of 2007” said Chief Terrance Nelson, “This guy has his cowboy hat on too tight, it blocked the blood flow to his brain, he had billions of dollars in surpluses to work with, money Mulroney didn’t have. We don’t want funding, we want a bigger share of our own resource wealth and whatever the cost, we will get control of our lands and the wealth of our lands”. An emergency meeting of Chiefs will take place in early April to put together a planned response, a response that will make sure voter rich Ontario will be extremely angry with the Conservatives for escalating an isolated Caledonia situation to a national crisis. For Further Information Contact Chief Terrance Nelson 204-782-4827

"I don't require any justification. What is your justification for whining about it now when you never did before, and when you never will again once your party is back in power?" That's lame and of course it was expected that the Harper apologists would come up with the "tit for tat" argument. Their savior can do no wrong. Yet it is criminal and no amount of justification of using tax dollars to spy on the opposition can be justified. That makes Harper worse than the rest - worse than liberals (if you can prove they did first) since he is well aware of the corrupt dealings within the previous Liberal party and still he continues on in their tradition. I find it ironic that you would apologize for Harper since he promised to get rid of such corruption and underhanded governance. If you were really interested in his values, his promises and his integrity as a leader, then you should be hopping mad for an explanation from the boss himself. Chretien and Martin could always point to others and say they couldn't be in charge of everyone. But we all know that Harper has his thumb on every decision and every action his New Government takes. That makes him directly accountable for this crime and makes his "new" government just a resurrection of all the other "old" governments.