...For the sake of mankind.
The hotter things get at Caledonia, the more I fear something will happen to force an Oka or Ipperwash style incident. The more this standoff continues, the more the permanent stain of an Oka and Ipperwash threatens to surface.
I'm referring to the violent confrontation at Oka, Que., in 1990 and the wrongful shooting death of Dudley George, a native protester at Ipperwash in 1995.
Something is terribly wrong, first the barricades where taken down and it appeared that both sides where ready to talk. Then in a matter of a day they went back up and the roads where closed again. What the hell happened?
The provincial leader and negotiators on both sides are standing around scratching their heads and pointing fingers at one another, mean while a tempest is being allowed to brew.
Understandably the non-natives are upset, the roads are their life line to the community, their businesses and their lifestyle. They paid for them and they can`t use them.
Along with frustration over the road blockage, there is also concern about some of the area's other land. Native protesters have been occupying a 40-hectare piece of land slated for a housing development since Feb. 28, saying it is rightfully theirs.
They say they agreed to lease the property for a road in 1835, and disagree with government arguments that it was later sold to the Crown.
I don`t believe in paying for the sins of our fathers, I`m sorry but the solution needs a modern answer. The land needs to be shared with adequate compensation being given to both sides.
Where do we stop? Do we return every piece of land, even if a person has owned it for five generations back to it`s original owners. I`m not European, I`m a damn Canadian, just like these natives. We need to learn the lessons of all our fathers. Quit fighting and make up.
Later,
Kenaz
