Caledonia developers angry about stolen property

Canadian Press
CTV Toronto
Friday, May 5, 2006 9:38 AM ET

[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.]

CALEDONIA, Ont. — Developers embroiled in a land dispute in Caledonia, Ont., say they are "extremely angry and frustrated" with unsuccessful efforts to have looted property returned.

Henco Industries is building homes on 40 hectares of contested land which Six Nations members have occupied since Feb. 28, arguing the land belongs to them.

Henco's lawyer, Michael Bruder, says files, computers, furniture and construction equipment worth an estimated $200,000 were looted from an office and model home on the site on April 20.

Bruder says several requests to the Six Nations Confederacy to have the property returned have gone unanswered.

He also says someone who identifies himself as an intermediary for the protesters has indicated he would arrange for the return of some office records if the price was right. But Bruder says no dollar figure was mentioned in the demand.

Losses from the looting are not covered by insurance, says Bruder, because they occurred as a result of what the insurance company calls "an act of insurrection."

The aboriginal standoff escalated April 20, when provincial police raided the site and arrested 16 protesters. Police were pushed back later that same day after hundreds more protesters arrived on the scene from a nearby reserve.

The aboriginals then set up blockades across the main road through the town and into the disputed territory.