"Back Off Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory"

Update: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OPEN LETTER

[To open letter in a new window click here]

November 12, 2008
ONTARIO'S DUTY TO ENSURE RIGHTS ARE UPHELD IN POLICE RESPONSE TO INDIGENOUS PROTESTS

Open letter to the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Amnesty International Canada is reiterating its call for the Province of Ontario to immediately:

• Publicly affirm its support for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Framework for Police Preparedness for Aboriginal Critical Incidents and commit to ensuring that officers are held accountable for any breaches of this Framework.

• Work with Indigenous peoples' organizations to establish a timetable and process for an independent evaluation of the OPP Framework and appropriate codification of the Framework in provincial laws and policies.

[Read More]
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Update: from the Bellville Intelligencer November 6.
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***CALLOUT from TYENDINAGA***

November 6, 2008
As you are aware, there is a serious situation unfolding in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, with attempts being made to implement an expensive new police station without proper community consultation. Successful on-going resistance to this police station has now resulted in warrants being issued for several dozen community members.

Please read the invitation below, from Tyendinaga, for supporters to come to the community this Sunday, November 9th, from 12pm onwards.

INVITATION FROM TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY:

We have sent an invitation wampum to all Mohawk communities requesting their assistance in dealing with the current crisis that we face. We have asked the Longhouse community to come to Tyendinaga to council and develop a strategy that will assist us in getting through the impasse that we face with the govt of Canada and its police. The Mohawk council is set for Sunday Nov. 9 at 10am.

We are further wanting to extend an invitation to all people within the Mohawk Nation and including non native people and organizations to come to the community on Sunday to see and hear first hand the reality of our situation.

This is to avoid a similar reoccurance of media manipulation and propaganda that clouded the issues of Kanesatake in 2004.. It is anticipated that a third attempt will be made sometime next week with respect to the police building. There are currently efforts being made to
recruit officers from other communities with promises of $3000.00 per week pay with all expenses paid.

The similarities between Tyendinaga 2008 and Kanesatake 2004 are too obvious to be ignored. There is no expectation with respect to people coming. We simply want people to know the truth before crisis ensues.

- Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Thursday, November 6th, 2008
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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9TH, 2008
Supporters are welcome from 12pm onwards

Driving Directions from Toronto:

Highway 401 East
Highway 401 past Belleville to Shannonville/Tyendinaga Mohak Territory exit
Exit 401 at Shannnonville/TMT exit and turn right at stop sign onto Shannonville Road
Stay on Shannonville Road until it ends at an intersection
Turn left and then immediate right on to York Road
Stay on York Road (about 10 minutes) to Norways Side Road (on the right hand side)
Turn right on Norways Side Road
Stay on Norways until it ends at Ridge Road
Turn right on Ridge Road
Stay on Ridge Road for 5 minutes, look for longhouse on the righthand side (518 Ridge Road, longhouse is just past the mailboxes)

(see here for a Statement from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory)
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CONTACT THE FEDS: Back off Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory:
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES

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- Tyendinaga Support Committee

(November 5th, 2008) At present, Tyendinaga Mohawk community members are being targeted for their opposition to an expensive new police station, paid for in part by the Federal Government of Canada, as well as their opposition to quarry operations where no adequate environmental assessments have taken place.

The Band Council in Tyendinaga put up half the money ($1 million) for the new cop shop, while the Ministry of Public Safety and Security put up the other half of the funding. Plans were made for this roughly $1.9-million facility, even though the money could have been spent to address the lack of safe water on the Territory and poor housing conditions.

A month ago, on September 24th, 2008, the new police building was put on hold after community members blockaded the intended site of the building. Such demonstrations took place again last week. Now several dozen community members are facing arrest and criminal charges.

It seems clear the the Canadian government is intent on ensuring this new cop shop be implemented, in a community which has stood up for its people and its land, time and time again.

Take a moment to call on the feds who are helping to make this police station happen, and express your concern at their involvement in pouring increased policing monies into a First Nations community where water and housing issues and the legitimate Culbertson Tract land claim remain unresolved.

CONTACT:

Peter Van Loan
Minister of Public Safety
House of Commons
Ottawa K1A 0A6

phone: 613-944-4875 or 1-800-830-3118
fax: 613-954-5186
email: communications@ps.gc.ca

Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa K1A 0A2

phone (constituency office):(403) 253-7990
fax: 613-941-6900
email: pm@pm.gc.ca

Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

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WARRANTS ISSUED: 30 MOHAWKS FACING ARREST
Tyendinaga Police 'Respond' to Community Concerns

(Wednesday, November 5, 2008) It appears that Tyendinaga Police Chief Ron Maracle is making good on his promise of charging people involved in demonstrations at the intended site for a second police station, as well as a contested second quarry operation on the Territory (different location than the original and on-going reclamation of the Thurlow Aggregate quarry site).

It is believed that Tyendinaga Mohawk Police have issued warrants for 30 community members.

The people targeted for arrest are Longhouse people who maintain scrutiny over Band Council operations and spending. This amounts to an unprecedented attempt to criminalize and jail any effective opposition that exists in the community. This is an attack on our families, our children, our culture and the way we think. This has moved beyond a simple community dispute. The federal government is making a final push to eradicate those people who believe in the strength and power of the Mohawk Nation and who will stand in its defence.

Despite community concern over widespread exposure to water that has been declared unfit for human consumption throughout reserve homes and schools, the Government continues to prioritize the second station over these needs.

Concern over the second quarry operation stems from alarm at the tremendous speed with which this particular quarry has been established and grown in size. Community members are aware of the extremely rigorous environmental study and assessment practices that are required before quarries and aggregates can be established elsewhere in the province. Such laws do not apply on reserves and concern as to whether environmental and safety assessments have been properly conducted and meet recognized professional standards.

These fears have increased in recent weeks as households in the direct vicinity of quarry operations have experienced water problems and collapsed wells for the first time ever.

The quarry is operated by Build-All Contractors, a company owned by Police Chief Maracle's brother. The site preparation and overseeing of the building construction at the site of the new police station was also awarded to Build-All, the Police Chief's brother, in an untendered contract.

All of this is taking place because we oppose a decision made by the Band Council.

With army helicopters and fighter jets circulating the Territory today, the Federal Government of Canada is making it clear that it intends to exercise what it views as its interest in community affairs.

- Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

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Bellville Intelligencer, November 6

Shawn Brant, 12 others charged after protests

Tyendinaga Mohawk police have issued a score of criminal charges on more than a dozen people involved in a pair of protests in the First Nations territory last week.

Eleven adults and two young people have been issued charges in relation to protests occurring on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 at a private quarry operation and a site where a new police station was to arrive.

Police released the news Thursday, saying at the time that three arrest warrants had been executed. They say more information, including the specific charges for each individual, will be released after all outstanding warrants have been executed.

Those charged for participating in the two protests are:

• Chad Douglas Baptiste, 33;

• Kathy Anne Baptiste, 48

• Jerome Jay Barnhart, 46

• Clint Brant, 30

• Jacqueline L. Brant, 54

• Shawn Michael Brant, 44

• Daniel John Doreen, 35

• Curtis Fox, 20

• Kevin Andrew Maracle, 30

• Jason Christopher Maracle, 30

• John Trevor Maracle, 33

Two others arrested for their invovlement in the protests are under 18 and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police also announced they have charged three people for a protest at the private quarry site on Sept. 4. They are George Smart, 55; Peter Laducer, 54; and Wayne Maracle, 65.

On Oct. 28, a group of protesters blocked the York Road site where a new building for Tyendinaga Police Services was to arrive. The protest continued through the next day, until the modular building was shipped away.