Caledonia calm on Canada Day but 'segregation' continues

Hamilton Spectator
(Jul 3, 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.]

Canada Day celebrations in Caledonia went smoothly over the long weekend, despite fears of a possible confrontation.

A heavier provincial police presence was planned in anticipation of a possible repeat of the violent Victoria Day weekend clashes between native protesters and Caledonia residents at the now dismantled barricade. But none materialized.

The popular annual Black Top Hop dance across from the Caledonia fire hall was well attended Friday night.

Residents noted a somewhat heavier-than-usual police presence, but no serious trouble was reported. The following evening hundreds of people lined the banks of the Grand River to watch a fireworks display.

Strong winds and some rain showers caused a slight delay, but did not appear to dampen the mood of revelers.

Lions Club member Scott Mochrie has lived in Caledonia for 12 years and described the weekend as "excellent."

There were fears that visitors would be deterred by the ongoing land dispute. "It's business as usual," Mochrie said. "This year's turnout looks the same as any other."

But another longtime resident said some of her friends and family were still leery of visiting Caledonia.

"People are tired of (waiting) for the other shoe to drop," said the woman, who did not want her name used. "We just want some normalcy."

She was relieved that rumours of a possible confrontation were not realized, but added that things were far from returning to normal.

"I've never seen segregation like this in Caledonia," she said. "Tensions have decreased in town, but not disappeared."

At the still-occupied Douglas Creek Estates, native flags flew instead of the Canadian flags decorating the rest of the town.

One 40-year-old protester, who wished to be identified only as Kevin, said the holiday meant little more to him than a break from work.

The longtime Six Nations reserve resident and construction worker added he had seen only a handful of Canadian flags flying on the reserve.

He also did not anticipate any confrontation between residents and natives.