Six Nations: Update from the Grande River, January 20, 2007
Good Morning from Grand River. I sat down at my computer yesterday morning and began my update. Many thoughts ran through my head. I had thoughts about what to write about. I had thoughts about the vision of Gary McHale once again coming into the area in an attempt to instigate violence so that it would jeopardize the negotiations that have been the focal point of a peaceful settlement for the land of Kanonhstaton between the Haudenesonne and the Crown. I thought about the people at Kanonhstaton who continually uphold the peace, and the strength that is required when idiots like McHale are allowed to continue with their white supremisct campaign of hatred and racism. I thought about the Canadian government who represents McHale and the others, and about how their law is supposed to uphold law and order and peace; and yet they are unable to do anything with the likes of McHale. I thought about the injustices that our ancestors have suffered, and about the loss and destruction of our lands and environment, that is a direct result of this system and law at the hands and hearts of the people who founded it. Then I thought about our law, the Kaienerekowah and how it encompasses all things, all of creation, and that it protects not only the people, but the lands, waters, animals, plants.......all of our environment, and I thought about the responsibility of the clanmothers, chiefs and faithkeepers who now sit in our council and are striving to uphold those responsibilities by making decisions that are consistent with our law, and therefore consistent with all of Creation. And when I thought about this, I wondered about the minds of those people who felt that man-made laws were better than the law given by the Creator when it was intended to be the basis for Peace for all people. And then I thought again about the people, all of our people, throughout all of Onkwehonweh Territories, and how we need now, more than ever, to work together as we sit in Nation to Nation dialogue with the Crown and how we continue to educate "Canada" on our relationship with the English as Allies, and how Canada, now having been given that responsibility of the crown, is responsible for upholding the obligations of the crown with respect of treaties and ancient agreements. I thought too of my responsibility of updating the people, and of how frustrating it is to update, when your mind tells you that nothing is happening and these people have no intention of resolving this, they are only intent on dragging it out till the next election and we're back at stage one. And then my heart is given renewed hope and strength when I see our delegation continue to pressure them at the table, and force them to recognize their responsibilities, and remind them that the Law that we speak of as we sit at the table, is the Law of the Land, the Kaienerekowah; and that the relationship that we sit, with the Two Row on the table in the centre as a reminder, is as Allies, NOT as Subjects, and how they must bring their minds to this. And I thought about how our council continues to strengthen and grow as we assert our authority and continue to uphold our responsibilities. I thought about the divisions that continue to exist amongst us, and how the Crowns government has counted on those divisions. I thought about how some of the people within those divisions, who cannot see past what they perceive as their own personal power, continue to pursue their own agendas, not recognizing the danger that they bring not only to those amongst us who they view as the enemy, but also to their own children and grandchildren as they continue to try to undermine the peaceful negotiation process that has been agreed upon. I thought about how in the simplest terms and way of looking at this process, is that it's consistent with the Law. I thought about the power and ultimate greed that drives those who oppose this process, and how they are walking directly into the trap that so many of our people in the past have walked right into, and that is exactly where the crown wants them, to continue with the plan of genocide by continuing to give credence to those divisions so that the rest of the world, including the government of Canada, can say, "who is the government at Six Nations" and who has the authority to speak for them. And all of that, even before a cup of coffee!
Today, my mind is still on all of those things, perhaps a bit deeper, perhaps a lot stronger, but I must say, once again, the People of Six Nations have showed their Unity and showed they are fully capable of upholding the Peace, even in the face of criticism, racism and threats. McHale came into town, and this time, was whining of how the "natives" were allowed to hang Canadian flags on the land at Kanonhstaton but how good upstanding Canadian citizens such as he and his white supremest following, are not. Yesterday, the world woke up to not only the Canadian flag flying on the small bridge across from the front of Kanonhstaton, but also the American flag, with the Two Row, the Five Nations Hiawatha Belt, and the Unity flag flying above and between them. This was done as a reminder to McHale and others that the Haudenesonne have many wonderful Canadian and American allies who support our stand at Kanonhstaton as we assert our sovereignty within our territorial lands. It was done in recognition of all of our veterans, who have served as Allies of those nations flags, and in recognition of those who continue to serve. It was also done as a reminder that the Haudenesonne, are North American, and that those borders that have been placed between those two nations, and whose flags are displayed in similar fashion as the ones at Kanonhstaton; have no bearing on us. It was also done and placed in a way, with the Two Row between them, and the Five Nations above them, to remind those citizens and governments of Canada and the United States, who were founded under the Crown, that our relationship is based on that Two Row, as Allies, and that the Five Nations Flag is above as a reminder that the English are in fact refugees in our homelands. That we were here when they arrived, and we will continue to be here if they choose to leave. That they are obligated to uphold those responsibilities to Peace as well, and that their government is not to interfere in ours. So, be it symbolic or direct, the message was delivered.
And speaking of attempts at delivering a message.........
The Crown knows and understands our history, and that our relationship is as allies, not as subjects of the crown. They also know that We were given the job by the Peacemaker, to uphold and protect the Law of the Land. And yet they continue to sit there, with their paternalistic and authoritive attitudes, giving the sense that they are dealing with people beneath them. They see the word 'allies', even in their own history books and Canadian hansards, and yet continue to treat us as children and pat us on the head as if to say, 'that's a nice little story, here's a quarter, now go along and play now and let us grown ups deal with making the decisions because we know what's best for you"........
Only this time their message was once again an attempt of making a payment. This week they released a coin commemorating Joseph Brant, who lets not forget, was the one who helped in establishing and founding this land base now known as the Haldimand Tract. And throughout history, it has been the practice of the Crown that in order to continue to usurp the authority of the Onkwehonweh, and maintain some authoritative and self perceived governance over us and our lands, they have to make a payment. Its the whole reason why the haldimand was set up in the first place, because by perceiving to 'give' us this land base, it gave them "London's bridge" that was needed between upper Canada and lower Canada, and therefore, their foothold onto our homelands. And even though we know that the haldimand was only seen by the Onkwehonweh as re-affirming lands that already belonged to the Onkwehonweh, and that some of the five nations would now be amongst those now settling here; in the symbolic or spiritual world, it was an attempt at a payment that would allow them to continue with its fraudulent place in creation as having authority over us. This is why their whole lands claims process is set up as financial compensation only, they have no intention of ever letting go of the lands they have stolen, but every time they make a financial payment as compensation, it's like a message to Creation that we've accepted it. Sorry guys, we told you in the beginning, this isn't about money. So this latest attempt, with the releasing of Joseph Brant's coin, as an attempt at a payment and/or spiritual manipulation, is not accepted nor will it be tolerated, and now Creation must respond.
This week there was a lot of confusion and misunderstandings when the Canadian press released information they had received from the ministry of culture about the evidence of artifacts and village sites dating back to over 800 years ago. It was thought that this finding was recent and that it was a result of the archeology study that is currently being undertaken at Kanonhstaton. In fact, the information is from the report that developer Henco Industries and the Town of Haldimand had complete knowledge of prior to development, and that while we were aware of some parts of the report, there has never been any reports or findings of a longhouse that I am aware of, and this has caused once again, concern of what other reports are being withheld. And if you're gonna study history, or claim to be an expert in certain areas, please, please expand your knowledge by including research of the Oral History of the people of these lands, not just what Canada has put in their history books. I was amazed at the ignorance this week, of a professor of a nearby college or university who made the comment that the Six Nations had no claim to the lands we now call Kanonhstaton because the artifacts found were likely those of the Huron's. Our people have never claimed there weren't other nations here, in fact we know there were. The Haudenesonne had many Nations who had taken shelter under the Umbrella of the Great Law throughout the whole north American continent and beyond, and we were responsible to carry the voice of these other nations in relations with the crown. Not to mention the fact that we had already been given the responsibility as caretakers over the whole of Turtle Island by the Peacemaker; so we know there is a clear history of the Huron's, Wyandot & Tutello's as well as the Five Nations along the Grand River. And yes, we had our own history between us. So given the tradition of our people with respect to Oral history, we also know there are families amongst us to this day who are direct descendants of some of those other nations and that they still honour and respect their respective histories through the ceremonies that come with them, be it Huron, Wyandot or Tutello. One of our very wise and respected elders and Chief of the Cayuga Nation is amongst them, and he can tell you the history of his family and how they were adopted into the Cayuga Nation; so, yes, we not only know that we have a right to claim those lands and artifacts, we also know that we have a responsibility to those ancestors who were buried beneath them. And even though Henco and his archaeological study reports there were no burials, and the haldimand township insists there were no permits issued and therefore no soil removed from the development site, we know that our ancestors are on those lands and are guiding and supporting our reclamation.
It was brought to light at the recent main table negotiations that one of the lead federal negotiators was also the lead negotiator during the settlement with the refugees where Canada had given an apology and restitution to them for the atrocities that had been treated them upon their arrival here. It was reminded of the Crown that while it might have taken a long time for Canada to come to a settlement for those refugee's (they have stated it took 40 years), the Haudenesonne have been waiting well beyond that, and that in fact, as refugee's themselves, Canada must begin to take responsibility for the violations to the Two Row, the violation of trust, and for the interference of the Crown through its Indian Act, that has caused deep divisions and hurts amongst the Haudenesonne, and that in order to even begin to work toward a peaceful resolution at Kanonhstaton, Canada needs to begin by admitting its guilt of those violations, and by making that Apology, Restitution and Reconciliation so that the Haudenesonne can begin to heal the wounds that the Crown has caused by its interference. Only then, will we be able to begin to re-build the relationship between us, as allies, and each maintaining its obligations to those ancient agreements.
So, today, I'll end this update as we began this New Year, to reflect on the past year. For the Haudenesonne at Grand River Territory it has been a year of Unity and Strength and Assertion of our Sovereignty. We began with the reclamation of a small portion of our land base. We furthered our position by forcing the Crown to recognize and deal with the only true government of the Haudenesonne, the People, represented by the Confederacy Council. We continue to work toward resolving the governance of Grand River by opening up the communication between the many factions within our territories, and we have encouraged those factions to join us as we begin the process of creating a Vision Circle that will help with the re-birth and implementation of a Government that encompasses all of the Haudenesonne. One that is founded not only on the Principals of the Great Law, but one that truly represents our Confederacy, the Original League of Nations. One that encompasses and undertakes the responsibility that it has always known, and one that re-inforces the allowance of all of the Onkwehonweh it's protection under the shelter of that Great Tree, and one that will allow us to once again, truly speak with One Voice, One Heart, and One Mind. Part of that vision was the return of the Confederacy Council Building to the Confederacy, and the symbolic return of the keys by members of the band council, to one of our traditional Chiefs. It was the first step toward healing the past. It was only a beginning, and one that was not supported by all; but it was viewed as the start of a resurgence of the Governance of the People, under the Kaierenekowah, and one that was necessary......for the good of all!
In Love, Light and Peace,
Hazel
Today, my mind is still on all of those things, perhaps a bit deeper, perhaps a lot stronger, but I must say, once again, the People of Six Nations have showed their Unity and showed they are fully capable of upholding the Peace, even in the face of criticism, racism and threats. McHale came into town, and this time, was whining of how the "natives" were allowed to hang Canadian flags on the land at Kanonhstaton but how good upstanding Canadian citizens such as he and his white supremest following, are not. Yesterday, the world woke up to not only the Canadian flag flying on the small bridge across from the front of Kanonhstaton, but also the American flag, with the Two Row, the Five Nations Hiawatha Belt, and the Unity flag flying above and between them. This was done as a reminder to McHale and others that the Haudenesonne have many wonderful Canadian and American allies who support our stand at Kanonhstaton as we assert our sovereignty within our territorial lands. It was done in recognition of all of our veterans, who have served as Allies of those nations flags, and in recognition of those who continue to serve. It was also done as a reminder that the Haudenesonne, are North American, and that those borders that have been placed between those two nations, and whose flags are displayed in similar fashion as the ones at Kanonhstaton; have no bearing on us. It was also done and placed in a way, with the Two Row between them, and the Five Nations above them, to remind those citizens and governments of Canada and the United States, who were founded under the Crown, that our relationship is based on that Two Row, as Allies, and that the Five Nations Flag is above as a reminder that the English are in fact refugees in our homelands. That we were here when they arrived, and we will continue to be here if they choose to leave. That they are obligated to uphold those responsibilities to Peace as well, and that their government is not to interfere in ours. So, be it symbolic or direct, the message was delivered.
And speaking of attempts at delivering a message.........
The Crown knows and understands our history, and that our relationship is as allies, not as subjects of the crown. They also know that We were given the job by the Peacemaker, to uphold and protect the Law of the Land. And yet they continue to sit there, with their paternalistic and authoritive attitudes, giving the sense that they are dealing with people beneath them. They see the word 'allies', even in their own history books and Canadian hansards, and yet continue to treat us as children and pat us on the head as if to say, 'that's a nice little story, here's a quarter, now go along and play now and let us grown ups deal with making the decisions because we know what's best for you"........
Only this time their message was once again an attempt of making a payment. This week they released a coin commemorating Joseph Brant, who lets not forget, was the one who helped in establishing and founding this land base now known as the Haldimand Tract. And throughout history, it has been the practice of the Crown that in order to continue to usurp the authority of the Onkwehonweh, and maintain some authoritative and self perceived governance over us and our lands, they have to make a payment. Its the whole reason why the haldimand was set up in the first place, because by perceiving to 'give' us this land base, it gave them "London's bridge" that was needed between upper Canada and lower Canada, and therefore, their foothold onto our homelands. And even though we know that the haldimand was only seen by the Onkwehonweh as re-affirming lands that already belonged to the Onkwehonweh, and that some of the five nations would now be amongst those now settling here; in the symbolic or spiritual world, it was an attempt at a payment that would allow them to continue with its fraudulent place in creation as having authority over us. This is why their whole lands claims process is set up as financial compensation only, they have no intention of ever letting go of the lands they have stolen, but every time they make a financial payment as compensation, it's like a message to Creation that we've accepted it. Sorry guys, we told you in the beginning, this isn't about money. So this latest attempt, with the releasing of Joseph Brant's coin, as an attempt at a payment and/or spiritual manipulation, is not accepted nor will it be tolerated, and now Creation must respond.
This week there was a lot of confusion and misunderstandings when the Canadian press released information they had received from the ministry of culture about the evidence of artifacts and village sites dating back to over 800 years ago. It was thought that this finding was recent and that it was a result of the archeology study that is currently being undertaken at Kanonhstaton. In fact, the information is from the report that developer Henco Industries and the Town of Haldimand had complete knowledge of prior to development, and that while we were aware of some parts of the report, there has never been any reports or findings of a longhouse that I am aware of, and this has caused once again, concern of what other reports are being withheld. And if you're gonna study history, or claim to be an expert in certain areas, please, please expand your knowledge by including research of the Oral History of the people of these lands, not just what Canada has put in their history books. I was amazed at the ignorance this week, of a professor of a nearby college or university who made the comment that the Six Nations had no claim to the lands we now call Kanonhstaton because the artifacts found were likely those of the Huron's. Our people have never claimed there weren't other nations here, in fact we know there were. The Haudenesonne had many Nations who had taken shelter under the Umbrella of the Great Law throughout the whole north American continent and beyond, and we were responsible to carry the voice of these other nations in relations with the crown. Not to mention the fact that we had already been given the responsibility as caretakers over the whole of Turtle Island by the Peacemaker; so we know there is a clear history of the Huron's, Wyandot & Tutello's as well as the Five Nations along the Grand River. And yes, we had our own history between us. So given the tradition of our people with respect to Oral history, we also know there are families amongst us to this day who are direct descendants of some of those other nations and that they still honour and respect their respective histories through the ceremonies that come with them, be it Huron, Wyandot or Tutello. One of our very wise and respected elders and Chief of the Cayuga Nation is amongst them, and he can tell you the history of his family and how they were adopted into the Cayuga Nation; so, yes, we not only know that we have a right to claim those lands and artifacts, we also know that we have a responsibility to those ancestors who were buried beneath them. And even though Henco and his archaeological study reports there were no burials, and the haldimand township insists there were no permits issued and therefore no soil removed from the development site, we know that our ancestors are on those lands and are guiding and supporting our reclamation.
It was brought to light at the recent main table negotiations that one of the lead federal negotiators was also the lead negotiator during the settlement with the refugees where Canada had given an apology and restitution to them for the atrocities that had been treated them upon their arrival here. It was reminded of the Crown that while it might have taken a long time for Canada to come to a settlement for those refugee's (they have stated it took 40 years), the Haudenesonne have been waiting well beyond that, and that in fact, as refugee's themselves, Canada must begin to take responsibility for the violations to the Two Row, the violation of trust, and for the interference of the Crown through its Indian Act, that has caused deep divisions and hurts amongst the Haudenesonne, and that in order to even begin to work toward a peaceful resolution at Kanonhstaton, Canada needs to begin by admitting its guilt of those violations, and by making that Apology, Restitution and Reconciliation so that the Haudenesonne can begin to heal the wounds that the Crown has caused by its interference. Only then, will we be able to begin to re-build the relationship between us, as allies, and each maintaining its obligations to those ancient agreements.
So, today, I'll end this update as we began this New Year, to reflect on the past year. For the Haudenesonne at Grand River Territory it has been a year of Unity and Strength and Assertion of our Sovereignty. We began with the reclamation of a small portion of our land base. We furthered our position by forcing the Crown to recognize and deal with the only true government of the Haudenesonne, the People, represented by the Confederacy Council. We continue to work toward resolving the governance of Grand River by opening up the communication between the many factions within our territories, and we have encouraged those factions to join us as we begin the process of creating a Vision Circle that will help with the re-birth and implementation of a Government that encompasses all of the Haudenesonne. One that is founded not only on the Principals of the Great Law, but one that truly represents our Confederacy, the Original League of Nations. One that encompasses and undertakes the responsibility that it has always known, and one that re-inforces the allowance of all of the Onkwehonweh it's protection under the shelter of that Great Tree, and one that will allow us to once again, truly speak with One Voice, One Heart, and One Mind. Part of that vision was the return of the Confederacy Council Building to the Confederacy, and the symbolic return of the keys by members of the band council, to one of our traditional Chiefs. It was the first step toward healing the past. It was only a beginning, and one that was not supported by all; but it was viewed as the start of a resurgence of the Governance of the People, under the Kaierenekowah, and one that was necessary......for the good of all!
In Love, Light and Peace,
Hazel
posted by DAMN 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
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