Big supporter of native protest busted

Ken Hill, a former Six Nations band councillor, is charged with assault in Caledonia

Susan Gamble
Brantford Expositor
Local News - Friday, June 23, 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.]

Former Six Nations band councillor Ken Hill is emerging as one of the movers and shakers behind the Douglas Creek protest in Caledonia.

Hill, who was arrested by Six Nations police early Wednesday in connection with a scuffle at the protest site, has been charged with two counts of assault. He is one of six protesters police have been seeking because of fights between area residents and the protesters. A highly successful Six Nations businessman, Hill runs a construction company and is also a director of the reserve's largest manufacturer, Grand River Enterprises, which makes millions of cigarettes a day just outside Ohsweken.

Along with several other company directors, Hill, 47, is also involved with Watah Springs, a First Nations bottled water company, and is a part owner of the Brantford Golden Eagles.

Hill has been very active in the Douglas Creek protest.

Chief Coun. David General, who sat on council with Hill for nine months in 2001, said it is well known in the community that Hill has been an ardent supporter of the protest.

Donated to cause

"People have thanked him over the radio for bringing in the gravel and trucks that formed the barricade," said General. "They've alleged that he brought the tires, the pallets and the vehicles that were burned there and that it's his equipment that dug up Highway 6."

Hill could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Protest spokesperson Janie Jamieson said Hill is a protest supporter and has donated to the cause, much like many other community members.

"This is a community effort," Jamieson said.

Police said the charges against Hill relate to pushing and shoving following a brawl on June 4. The charges don't relate, contrary to some media reports, to the highly publicized case of Guenter and Kathe Golke's car being surrounded and two CH TV cameramen being assaulted on June 9.

Just days after the June 4 scuffle, Hill made an impassioned address to the Chiefs of Ontario who were visiting the protest site.

After the arrest warrant was issued for him, Hill left the site. Confederacy leaders said all of those wanted by police would be punished appropriately in traditional ways.

Hill is the second person to be arrested in connection with the incidents.

Audra Taillefer, 45, of Victoria, B.C. was arrested June 16 and held for five days. She was released on a cash bail and ordered to stay out of Caledonia.

Faced controversy

During Hill's on-again, off-again tenure as a band councillor, he has faced controversy and tough times.

Hill lost his seat on council in 1987 after being convicted of running Indian Super Bingo without a licence, though Hill said he was just one of the volunteers at the event. The conviction meant an automatic dismissal from council because the Six Nations election code says if someone is convicted of an indictable criminal offence they lose their seat.

Hill ran for office again later in the year and polled the same number of votes as a rival politician. His opponent took office after the result was appealed.

Hill was elected again, but ousted by voters in 1991.

In 1998, Hill once again was elected.

In 2000, a group of residents tried to impeach him because of his involvement with Grand River Mills, a debacle that cost the Six Nations thousands of dollars. The impeachment bid was ultimately unsuccessful.