Disband Mohawk Warrior Groups First

Then set a deadline for settlement and payment of all valid land claims with the understanding that infra-structure, ie: roads, railways etc.are owned publicly. Once the last claim is paid close down the ministry of indian affairs and allow the indians to form their own municipalities with the right to collect taxes, etc. and the only cheques they would receive from either the provincial or federal governments would be the same type of cheques the current municipalities receive. But the reality is that our great, great, great grandchildren will still be dealing with land claims and indian rights.

Natives' tactics could hurt cause TheStar.com - comment - Natives' tactics could hurt cause

June 28, 2007

Canada's native peoples have pressing grievances to air tomorrow during their national day of action, which is meant to draw attention to land claims, poverty and substandard living conditions. Their concerns are legitimate because land claims can take years to settle, poverty is rampant and horrific living conditions in many communities are a stain on the entire country.

So all Canadians should take time to listen to natives who are planning peaceful protests and rallies across the country to raise awareness about these and other issues.

Unfortunately, some protesters could squander that goodwill and support if they follow through on threats to block major highways and rail lines. Intimidation and angry confrontations will surely attract attention, but it just as certainly undermines their cause.

For that reason, native leaders, including Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine and local chiefs in every province, must try to rein in militants who want to convey their discontent on the barricades, rather than through peaceful and lawful demonstrations.

One of these hardliners is Shawn Brant, who with supporters from the Bay of Quinte Mohawks is threatening to block traffic tomorrow on Highway 401, as well as on the main Toronto-Montreal railway line near Deseronto. Brant is no stranger to these misguided tactics. He is free on bail on charges related to a 30-hour blockade of the same rail line in April. And he says tomorrow will be just the start of a campaign of economic disruption aimed at drawing attention to native issues.

Elsewhere, Terry Nelson, chief of the Roseau River First Nation in Manitoba, has backed off his threat to block rail lines in his community after Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice last week agreed to add 30 hectares of land to his reserve to settle a long-standing dispute.

But other potential flashpoints for native anger still exist, including a housing development in Caledonia. Six Nations protesters have occupied the site for 16 months, claiming it belongs to them.

Much of the frustration natives feel is understandable. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has shelved the Kelowna Accord, the landmark 2005 agreement between Ottawa, the provinces and natives that would have pumped $5 billion into native communities to improve health, education and other services. That has left many communities still struggling with appalling poverty rates, poor housing and sanitation, few economic prospects and an epidemic of despair.

A rare bright spot was Prentice's announcement earlier this month of reforms to the way native claims are settled. The new independent tribunal he is proposing should help clear the huge backlog of cases and alleviate a considerable source of aggravation for many natives.

Still, serious problems persist, which is why native leaders have planned the national day of protest.

Hopefully, there will be few protesters who believe the only way to make their case is to disrupt business and inconvenience travellers.

Tomorrow is an opportunity to prove them wrong. It is also a chance for non-natives to show they will no longer turn a deaf ear to natives' valid complaints. Ultimately, progress is far more likely through mutual dialogue and consensus than through bullying and provocation.