Native protest hurting, too

Brantford Expositor
Local News - Thursday, June 15, 2006 @ 01:00

[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.]

The native land occupation in Caledonia is leading to second thoughts among some tourists considering visiting Brantford and Brant County, say two business owners.

Jamie Kent, owner of Paris canoe outfitter Grand Experiences, and Adam Fernley, owner of Heritage River Canoe and Kayak Company, both said the Caledonia situation is affecting the number of people using the Grand River for recreation.

"We've lost two major bookings already," Kent said.

One European company cancelled six group trips with Grand Experiences because of fears about the native occupation and another group of 40 cancelled for the same reason, Kent said.

Fernley said he's also heard from customers concerned about travelling on the river during the protest.

"I've had people call and ask if it's going to be an issue on a canoe trip - if there's going to be a native barricade across the river," Fernley said.

Susan Sager, manager of tourism and marketing with Tourism Brantford, said the two outfitters are so far the only local tourism-related businesses to express concern about losing customers due to the Caledonia protest.

"As far as others that are involved in tourism in the Brantford area, I haven't heard anything yet," Sager said.

She said the river is one of the area's biggest draws and a drop in business among local outfitters is reason for concern.

"When that part of the sector is suffering...it does affect everybody. We're concerned."