Restoring calm in Caledonia is first priority of talks between protesters and government officials

Marissa Nelson
Hamilton Spectator
Friday, April 21, 2006 | Updated at 4:47 PM EDT

[SISIS note: The following mainstream news article is provided for reference only, as an example of how mainstream media treats indigenous resistance to genocide. Mainstream media often presents biased and distorted information, lacking pertinent facts and/or context. Inclusion of this article on our site should not be considered an endorsement by SISIS.]

Federal and provincial representatives have been meeting with native protestors behind closed doors at a Burlington Hotel since 10 a.m. this morning, but there is no sign when talks might end.

"Six Nations, Canada and Ontario are continuing our discussion aiming at a achieving a peaceful resolution for the protest at Douglas Creek," Mohawk Chief Allen MacNaughton said, reading from a prepared joint statement.

"All parties agree on the need to re-establish calm," he said.

Although a Brant County OPP cruiser is in the hotel parking lot, MacNaughton said police weren't involved in the negotiations.

Also in the talks is Michael Bruder, the lawyer for housing developer Henco Industries.

He said he was invited by the Confederacy.

"We're very upset about what happened with the protest," he said, referring to the crisis that erupted in Caledonia yesterday. "We would like to see a peaceful resolution," he said. "We hope we'll play a role in the negotiations:"

MacNaughton would not comment on how long the talks might last.

""We'll continue as long as we are moving forward. We're trying to get a peaceful resolution as fast as we can."

The group plans to release another statement later today.