Caledonia residents get voice in talks

Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
Tuesday, May 16, 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.]

CALEDONIA -- Residents bent on having their say in a land claim dispute in Caledonia say they will have a seat at the negotiating table.

A group of frustrated locals called the Caledonia Citizen's Alliance says it has assurances it will be represented in talks aimed at ending the 76-day dispute.

Negotiations to settle the standoff have been going on between former Ontario premier David Peterson and Six Nations Confederacy Chief Allen McNaughton for more than two weeks.

Both have expressed optimism that the barricades would soon come down, paving the way for continued talks about who has a rightful claim to the land.

But Janie Jamieson, a spokesman for the protesters, says the barricades in the town a short drive southwest of Hamilton aren't coming down any time soon.

The standoff is blocking a major road that runs through an unfinished housing development on the contested tract of land.

"We've been reassured that we will be a part of those negotiations," said Ken Hewitt, a spokesman for the alliance.

A spokesman for Premier Dalton McGuinty said Peterson would not comment yesterday.