'The respect has to be there'

Former premier works to mend frayed relationships

Barb McKay
Hamilton Spectator
Ohsweken (May 3, 2006)

[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.]

Former premier David Peterson believes a solution for the Douglas Creek land dispute will prevent future native land protests.

"I don't see a repetition happening," he said.

Peterson was appointed as a mediator by the Ontario government to try to get progress in talks between the provincial and federal governments and Six Nations leaders.

Peterson made an appearance at a Zehrs store in Caledonia yesterday with two women from the Six Nations Confederation at the request of Chief Allen MacNaughton to try to mend frayed relationships between natives, the residents and both levels of government.

"It shows people that they're still talking," said Jackie House, who accepted a few groceries and a bouquet of flowers from the former premier after he pushed a grocery cart around the store.

"You have to have communication open to start anything. The respect has to be there."

MacNaughton, who addressed Six Nations members last night in Ohsweken, said talks are progressing well, although it has taken him a while to get Peterson on the same page.

"His attitude is, 'I'm here to save you. I have a day and a half, let's get it done,'" he said.

"By Monday I'd like to have some land back. Maybe some of the land they were offering before, like Townsend."

MacNaughton said as long as he's at the table, there will be no financial settlements with the native people, instead of land. And he will talk to Six Nations people before agreeing to anything. He said Peterson, who leaves Caledonia today, has promised to approach the government with some requests, including having the province drop charges against natives who were arrested April 20 when police raided the site. He will also ask for a halt to all development on the property and an assurance that there will be no action from the Canadian Armed Forces.

bMcKay@thespec.com
905-526-4629