|
| |
Click on the headline to go to the article.
Community closes ranks
By JOHN MINER, Free Press Regional ReporterBLENHEIM
-- The stretch of Highway 3 southeast of here looks like a real estate agent's worst
nightmare.
Farm after farm in this area near Lake Erie's shore is plastered in green and white Not
For Sale signs. They're on mailboxes, barns, houses, fences -- even trees.
In a rural area rocked by reports it's about to become home to Ontario's newest native
reserve, the signs are only the most visible indication of a community digging in for a
long siege.
"We are not going anywhere. We are just as determined as the Caldwells," Linda
Clendenning says in the kitchen of her farmhouse.
Linda and her husband, Bill, the fifth generation of the family to farm the land north of
Rondeau Bay, hope to pass the farm on to a sixth generation.
But the family's confidence in its future has been shaken since revelations in December
about an agreement in principle between the Caldwell First Nation and the federal
government that would give the native band $23.5 million to buy land in the area for a
reserve homeland over 25 years.
The news has been about as welcome as a July hailstorm.
"You go to bed one night thinking everything is all right and the next day everything
has been turned upside down," Linda Clendenning says.
This week, following a storm of criticism by area politicians and residents, Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart announced a
three-month delay on a band ratification vote on the controversial deal -- allowing time
to answer questions.
Caldwell First Nation Chief Larry Johnson couldn't be reached for comment, but the band
reportedly agreed to meet its neighbours "halfway" with the delay after facing
calls for a six-month moratorium on the deal.
But since word of the reserve broke, the rural area of Chatham-Kent around Blenheim has
closed ranks and moved to shut down any land sales. Close to nearby Rondeau Provincial
Park, a roadside sign exhorts: "Don't sell your soul for a buck," and
"Community loyalty, Just Say No, Don't Sell."
Mark Danielski, owner of Lester's On The Bay restaurant on Rondeau Bay, said the pressure
is intense on everybody not to sell to the natives.
"There will be a real stigma here for a long time," he says.
Danielski, whose business is next to a large cottage bought by the Caldwells, said he
hasn't decided yet whether a reserve would be good or bad.
But since he's declined to post a not for sale sign on his property, people have come to
him -- concerned he's selling to the natives.
"The rumours are unbelievable," he says.
At a nearby marina and trailer park, the owner -- he wouldn't give his name -- has also
been ground through the rumour mill.
The owner left for a Florida vacation a day before the reserve deal was announced. Some
people jumped to the conclusion he'd left because he'd sold to the natives.
When he returned, he was flooded with hundreds of phone calls from people concerned they
might have to move their boat or trailer.
"I had to put advertisements in the newspaper saying I did not sell," he
recalls.
Mention the name of the one farmer in the community who did sell several blocks of farm
land to the Caldwells, and there's often a long pause. "I have nothing to say about
the man," is the polite reply.
One group of farmers has gone beyond peer pressure to keep land out of reserve hands. They
formed the South Kent Property Development Company, asking people to give the company
first right to buy their land if they want to sell.
The action was a defensive move to ensure land is available for young farmers in the area
to buy, says Hank Vander Pol, a farmer involved in the company.
"Farming is like any business -- if you don't grow, you die," says Vander Pol.
"This is an attempt to leave our options open."
For Mike De Brouwer, a livestock, corn, soybean and tobacco farmer, the big problem with
the proposed reserve is uncertainty.
"I want to know how they plan to manage the land," he says of the natives.
"I'd like to see a 20-year plan."
De Brouwer said he realizes the federal government has an obligation to fulfil treaty
obligations, but as a farmer he needs to know how the reserve would operate.
If the Caldwells, for example, want to use their land for wetlands, that could mean he
wouldn't be able to drain his land neighbouring the reserve. Without drainage, a farm's
production can be drastically reduced, he says.
"To remain a globally, cost-competitive farm enterprise, we need the ability to look
forward and plan expansion of our farm business. How can I move forward with plans if our
farm is targeted for a reserve?" De Brouwer asks.
Some of the investments De Brouwer makes in his farm, such as satellite technology to
precisely apply fertilizer and pesticides, take 10 to 20 years to pay back.
He says he doesn't challenge the Caldwell band's right to do whatever it wants with its
land.
But if the natives manage their land in a way that conflicts with his farm, De Brouwer
says he might have to sell. Still, he says he's optimistic an understanding can be worked
out. "These things are not insurmountable."
Selling their land is not an option the Clendennings say they can consider.
They grow black tobacco, a specialty crop that requires the climate and sandy loam soils
found in the fertile Rondeau Bay area.
"It is like saying to you, why don't you go make your living in France. You're
Canadian, so you should know something about French," Linda Clendenning says.
"Changing farms, for us, is like changing languages."
A spokesperson for the Caldwells, Ontario's only federally recognized native band without
a land base, has said the band was "overwhelmed" by negative letters written to
it and area newspapers about the reserve proposal.
The backlash also included vandalism to a building on the band's Blenheim-area office site
which police are treating as a hate crime
Despite the vandalism and letters, one of which referred to natives on reserves as
"hereditary welfare people," area farmers are adamant their opposition to a
reserve isn't racist.
"Anyone of us would sell our farm to a native Canadian. I have no qualms at all about
a native farming next to me," says Bill Clendenning.
The problem the Clendennings have is when the land becomes a reserve, with its own laws
separate from their municipality.
Vander Pol says his group's opposition has nothing to do with the fact the Caldwells are
natives.
"It is not an issue, it is never an issue," he said. "We employ a native
Canadian on our farm. He is one of us."
The Caldwell First Nation, with about 255 members, is a Chippewa band historically known
as the Chippewas of Point Pelee and Pelee Island. Its ancestral home was Point Pelee, but
today the band has no land base and is trying to form a reserve in Chatham-Kent. Key
events in its quest for a land base:
- May 1790: Ottawa, Chippewa, Pottawatomi and Huron natives surrender title to a large
tract of Southwestern Ontario for cash and specific lands reserved for their use. Caldwell
Chief Quenesis Caldwell wasn't present for the treaty and the band was left out.
- 1830s: Caldwell First Nation presses its claim for land without success.
- 1973: Caldwells submit a claim to the Point Pelee area.
- 1974: Ottawa rejects the Caldwell claim.
- 1995: The federal government, after a historical and legal review, recognizes Canada has
outstanding obligations to the Caldwells from the non-fulfilled 1790 treaty.
- Oct. 30, 1998: Negotiators for the Caldwells and the federal government reach an
agreement in principle for a future reserve.
- Dec. 20, 1998: Caldwell Chief Larry Johnson announces a $23.4-million agreement in
principle with Ottawa that would allow the creation of a 1,820-hectare (4,500 acre)
reserve in the Rondeau Bay area of Chatham-Kent.
- Dec. 23, 1998: A new citizens' group, the Chatham-Kent Community Network, calls for a
six-month moratorium on the Caldwell's bid for a reserve.
- Jan. 18, 1999: The Ontario government says Rondeau Provincial Park isn't for sale and
won't be part of the deal between the federal government and the Caldwells for a reserve.
Johnson says the band isn't interested in the park.
- Feb. 9, 1999: Facing fierce opposition from farmers and others, Indian Affairs Minister
Jane Stewart and Johnson announce the band's vote on the agreement in principle will be
delayed three months, allowing time to answer questions about the deal. The vote had been
scheduled for March 20.
Reserve's neighbours praise 'goodwill' delay in band vote
By JULIE CARL AND JOHN MINER, Free Press Reporters The
Caldwell First Nation agreed to a 90-day moratorium on its deal with Ottawa to create a
native reserve as a "goodwill gesture" to neighbours in Chatham-Kent, a band
spokesperson says.
"It's a goodwill gesture and a good-neighbour gesture to give them time to let what's
happening set in," said Bud White-Eye, the band's communications officer.
He said the band is meeting neighbours "halfway" after many called for a
six-month delay.
But the concession is only for "those honest neighbours who have legitimate concerns
beyond the racist comments we read in the local paper.
"There are good people with questions. The 90 days is for them," White-Eye said.
The band was "overwhelmed" by nasty letters written to it and area newspapers,
he said. The backlash included vandalism to the band's Blenheim-area office.
The Caldwells signed an agreement in principle with the federal government in December to
give the band $23.4 million to buy 1,820 hectares of land to create a reserve. The
Caldwells are Ontario's only federally recognized native band without a land base.
On Tuesday, Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart
announced she and Caldwell First Nation Chief Larry Johnson had agreed to a three-month
delay on a band ratification vote on the agreement.
The band, with a population of about 200, had been set to vote March 20.
Residents near the proposed reserve in south Chatham-Kent had called for a six-month
moratorium, as had area MP Jerry Pickard
(L--Kent-Essex).
Some residents are expressing delight about the moratorium. Brian Lindsay of the Chatham-Kent Community Network, a
citizens' group critical of the proposed reserve, said the delay means people will have
the chance to get more information.
"It will allow us to make sure all the issues will be addressed."
In a written statement, the group said it looks forward to meeting with the band chief and
council to understand their plans firsthand.
Hank Vander Pol, a Blenheim-area farmer in the area proposed for the reserve, said it was
shrewd of Stewart to delay the vote and give people more time to find out the
implications.
"It is the unknown that has been causing people heartburn," he said.
Vander Pol blamed the uncertainty on Ottawa and the lack of information about how the
reserve will operate.
"It's not the Caldwells' fault. The Caldwells are entitled to a fair shake and I
would be the first to defend that. They don't deserve to be beat up on."
Chatham-Kent Tory MPP Jack Carroll said anything that gives people more time to understand
the reserve issue is a good move.
"So much paranoia is existing out there," Carroll said. "This is the first
positive thing the federal government has done in all of this."
A toll-free line, 1-888-590-2155, operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to give general
information on the Caldwell land claim and proposed settlement.
A band meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20 to provide details of the agreement and answer
questions.
Reserve vote put off 90 days
By DAVID DAUPHINEE AND JOHN HAMILTON, Free Press Reporters Creation of a
large and controversial native reserve in south Chatham-Kent has been put on hold by the
federal government and the Caldwell First Nations band.
Facing fierce opposition from farmers and others who've peppered properties with signs
declaring they won't sell land for the proposed 4,500-acre reserve, Indian Affairs
Minister Jane Stewart has announced she and Chief Larry Johnson have agreed to a
three-month delay on a band ratification vote for the recently negotiated claim
settlement.
"As a result of fear or misunderstanding, there have been reactions we want to
hopefully focus on and mitigate," Stewart told The Free Press last night.
When she met Jan. 25 with area residents, Stewart found "an angst and a worry and a
fear in some cases."
Under the agreement signed Dec. 17, the landless Caldwell band was to receive $23.4
million to purchase land on the open market. The band has indicated an interest in buying
farmland.
The Caldwell file has become all-consuming, the minister said, and since Christmas has
taken up almost all her time and that of senior department officials.
"I have been working with the chief to look at the realities here and to find ways to
deal with the legitimate concerns of community members," she said.
"We will just have to find a made-in-Chatham solution."
Department officials have been invited to speak with Caldwell band members Feb. 20 and are
expected to be at the call for other groups. The Indian Commission of Ontario and Chiefs
of Ontario are working with individual parties to help bring sides together.
The moratorium was met with cheers among many local residents and politicians.
Kent-Essex MP Jerry Pickard said the delay would allow "breathing room for meaningful
consultation and processes.''
Pickard said many area residents have been stunned at the apparent "speed they see
the process taking without the necessary consultation.''
Pickard, who pushed for a six-month moratorium, said the three months gives area groups,
including the Caldwells, time to "look closely at options and opportunities.''
He said the community has to understand what's happened "and all the impacts and
strategies.''
Pickard said he also understands some Caldwell First Nation members "have concerns
about looking at alternatives.''
Chatham-Kent Coun. Frank Vercouteren, who
represents the area likely to be most affected, said "that's good, that's
excellent,'' when told of the moratorium.
"We asked for six and we got three (months' delay). It gives us time to get more
information.''
Coun. Neil Senay, who also represents Ward 2, said "I'm quite happy that will give us
the time to get some answers to the questions we have put to the minister.''
Josette de Breuwer, a spokesperson for the Chatham-Kent
Community Network, a new citizens' group that had asked for a moratorium, refused
comment.
She said the group may issue a news release today after details of the announcement are
studied.
The Caldwells are the only federally recognized band in the Southwest without a land base.
Caldwell Chief Larry Johnson and Chatham-Kent Mayor Bill Erickson couldn't be reached for
comment late last night.
The announcement came the same day Chatham-Kent MPP Jack Carroll released a finger-wagging
letter from Ontario Attorney General Charles Harnick to Stewart, criticizing the federal
minister for not keeping the public informed during negotiations.
"Canada's actions may well have an impact on other land claim negotiations that are
under way across the province," Harnick warned. "We find the lack of public
consultation on this claim surprising."
Stewart said local residents can be assured there will be no move to expropriate land for
the reserve. In all cases, sales will be on the basis of a "willing buyer."
"In the next three months my department will be there. The resources will be in place
to respond to the concerns and the issues.
"Clearly we recognize this is going to be a big undertaking that is going to take a
lot of time and we are prepared to put that time into it."
Information campaign
An intense education program about the Caldwell settlement begins today. A toll-free
information line -- 1-888-590-2155 -- will provide general information and all related Web
sites will carry similar information.
|
