Caledonia blockaders open one lane for traffic

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news
Last Updated Tue, 16 May 2006 14:10:53 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.]

Native protesters have agreed to let some traffic though the blockade in Caledonia, Ont., where they have stopped traffic for more than two months in a land-claims dispute.

A spokeswoman from Ontario's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs told CBC News Tuesday that one lane of Argyle Street in the town is now open for use by emergency vehicles and local traffic.

Former Liberal premier David Peterson was appointed April 29 to try to resolve the dispute, which began in February when demonstrators from the Six Nations moved into a construction site.

The Six Nations filed a land-claim suit over the area in 1999. The protesters say they never surrendered title to the land, which was originally part of an aboriginal treaty dating back to the 18th century. They say the land was leased to the province more than 160 years ago, not sold for development

However, Henco, a small developer, claims to have clear title to the property and has started to build houses there. The subdivision they have planned is designed to hold 600 homes and 2,000 people. They say they have invested $6 million in the site since they bought it in 1992.

Caledonia is a community of 10,000 about 20 kilometres south of Hamilton and about 90 kilometres southwest of Toronto.