Power cut to 8,000 homes

Transformer fails in protest area

Michele Henry and Natalie Pona
Toronto Sun
Tuesday, May 23, 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.]

A transformer station got caught in the crossfire of a native land dispute in Caledonia yesterday, cutting power to nearly 8,000 homes.

At about 1 p.m. the transformer, located near the middle of the protest activity, malfunctioned and the lights went out in 1,546 homes in Caledonia and 6,377 homes in surrounding Norfolk.

"We have not been able to gain access to the station to undertake necessary repair work or determine the cause," said Laura Cooke of Hydro One. Repair crews were dispatched to the site immediately but couldn't penetrate the violent protest, blockades and thousands of curiosity seekers who flocked to Caledonia during the day.

Aboriginal protesters are using an electricity tower as part of their blockade and rumours circulated that a transformer station was set on fire.

Plumes of smoke rose from the housing development at the heart of the dispute.

"It's terrorism," said Fred Pisciuneri, a Caledonia resident who was protesting.

People in the surrounding area are upset at being affected by the dispute.

Grant MacDonald lives about half an hour from Caledonia and doesn't know what he'll do if power isn't restored to his home soon.

"We're out of the area," said the Waterford resident, who is thankful his water doesn't come from a power-dependent well as it does for most of his neighbours.

"This has gone on way too long."