I know many of you have been waiting for an update, and i apologize that i haven't gotten one out sooner. as you know, we have been having many meetings with respect to our situation in the land reclaimation. meetings to discuss how we perceive that we can move forward.

the most obvious question has been raised and that is whether or not we see the possibility of removing one of the barricades. the current discussion has been regarding plank road, also known as argyle street and #6 Hwy. we have had countless meetings, discussions and more discussions on whether or not it is a good idea. the obvious factor in not wanting to remove it is the trust factor with the government. we all know and understand that history has shown us that we can't take the word of any government official no matter what capacity, as they have continually broken their promises in the past, and will say and do anything that they believe they need to in order to achieve their goal.

in situations like the one we're in, their goal is to get the barricades down. "de-escalate" the situation. on the other perspective, we have to look at the fact that it is not their government that we have to trust. it is our government. the people. the men and women who are standing up in solidarity to protect our lands, our law and the people inclusive with our inherent rights and our sovereignty. we have delegates at the table carrying our voice with them. some people have issues with them, some people don't.

the bottom line is do we have the trust in each other to support one and other in implementing the government that we all have been waiting to support. yes, it needs work and we will not have the answers in a day. but what we do have before us is an opportunity to help it grow. we do have the opportunity that our grandfathers only dreamed about, and i pray that we are not misguided by our distrust to let that opportunity slip by.

i have been pondering for the last few hours of how co-incidently things happen that force us to look at what we are doing and to really question deep within if the choices we are making are the right ones. a few days ago, we all agreed that the barricade on argyle street needed to be cleared enough for emergency vehicles to pass through. during the time we were working toward that, a lone protester against our position along with the help of the opp, nearly threw that to the winds.

his actions were harmless, walking back and forth in front of the police line, indicating his own barricade to prevent "natives" from going into caledonia. it was the opp actions that were more detrimental. their position was clear, "the natives have a right to their protest, this individual has the right to his". ok, we get it. but then, to make matters worse, one of our men who resides in our camp was refused entry by the opp. their words were "he was told twice not to attempt to drive back and forth and I don't give a F*** if he has to sit there all F****N night, nobody is coming through.

not two minutes later they were directing the local towing company who's business operates within the barricaded roads, through, as well as a couple more non-native drivers. descriminatory, obviously. needless to say, phone calls were made and we were able to get the situation straightened out. however, it did lend to question whether or not we should even proceed with our attempts at showing that "good will" they continually speak of.

tonight, as i have indicated earlier, we were to continue with the talks on opening up argyle street. we have a committment from the governments that an open moritorium is in place on the disputed lands they call "douglas creek". they have agreed to pay for a third party archeological study on the land in question that will work along side our people to determine the exact area and status of the graves that are said to be there.

they have also agreed to place back an area of land known to them as "Burtch Correctional Facility" under the original status of the "Haldimand Deed" of 1784. this will be a long process as there has to first be an enviornmental study done on the lands and clean up, as well as the time to place the land back in possession of the Onkwehonweh, and not under the current land transactions as defined by the indian act. we have made some good process and therefore, it is not being taken lightly the consideration of opening up the one road.

just as the people were gathering to begin the discussions, a young man of 18 years was brought into the camp, caught by security at one of the checkpoints after driving irratically and causing a disturbance, only to find that in his trunk was a pellet gun, and some of his army equipment (apparently he is in some capactiy part of the army reserves---i don't know the term or his position).

regardless, his intention was to disrupt and possibly bring harm. he was taken into custody by our men, questioned, spoken to by some of the women when it was determined that he did not realize the seriousness of the situation and of his actions, and eventually turned over to the opp. he was taken into custody, his car was towed and when we asked about charges later at a liason meeting with the opp, we were told that he probably would be charged with careless driving.

our bigger concern was the fact that only a few days ago, one of our men was shot in the face, just below his eye, from a pellet gun or something similar. then this guy shows up tonight. co-incidence?? the frustrating part is knowing that there is no way he will admit to anything even if it is connected to him. the eleven o'clock news says he was released from custody, and we're to tune in in the morning to hear his side of the story. given the history of channel 11's reporting, we can only imagine how this one will get turned around to make us look like the guilty parties again. so be it.

my pondering however is whether or not we are being tested. are we being tested to see how strong our convictions are and our trust in creation and our government system to move forward with the decisions we have made. do we trust in each other and our delegates that we are making the right move by opening up the road, knowing that we will have obstacles to meet, but faith enough to continue. or are we being shown that each time we're about to make that decision, something gets put in our path.

for tonight, we can only ask for guidance. we discontinued the talks tonight because everyone was feeling the emotions of the situation and would not be able to have a clear mind. i know for myself i put it out to creation to show me, and i pray that i have the sense and ability to see clearly for the highest good of all concerned. Caledonia residents are getting frustrated and we understand all too well the frustration they are feeling. however, they want us to take responsiblity for accidents that are occuring on the detour road because of our blockade. i wonder do they ask the same of their township when detours are placed for road construction and accidents occur on their detours. to neglect to take responsiblity for our own actions when we are driving opens the doors for many new lawsuits and neglects their first rule of their law which indicates having "care and control" of one's vehicle.

I was asked that question by one of their local radio stations who continually tries to paint the picture of our people being un-cooperative and negligent as well as lawless and villainness in our actions. my response to him was the same. how ridiculous is that. when we get behind the wheel of a car and venture onto any road, we are responsible for our actions, we know the speed limits and we know the rules of the road. common sense indicates that we cannot take responsibility for the actions of any one else. however, they continue to lay that responsiblity on us and the media is doing a good job of putting that out to the rest of the world.

it is interesting that we were considering opening the road on victoria day weekend...."bread and cheese" weekend commemorating the time when Queen Victoria had given bread and cheese to the people of six nations as a token of continued alliance and friendship for their part in the revolutionary war. it has long been abandoned by the crown and later taken up by the elected band council as part of tradition. i often wondered why when the crown has abandoned every agreement it ever made with our people that we would continue to "celebrate" this way. it is just my own thoughts, you may agree or disagree, it's just a thought.

before closing off, i want to let everyone know that tonight was a good example of how peaceful our people can be, even when tested the way they were tonight with that individual. everyone handled themselves well. in fact it was put to the opp that we could have treated their citizen the way we were treated on April 20th; with pepper spray, taser guns and batons. but he was peacefully marched out of the camp and delivered to his people unharmed. wonder if channel 11 will get that message out there?????????tune in in the morning and see for yourself.

have a good night. oh, by the way, the talks will continue saturday after everyone has had a chance to think on things.

take care.
Hazel