We are now going into our second year of the Six Nations standoff in Caledonia, which is about ten minutes past the city I live in.

Quick background: Land that Six Nations claim is theirs was sold to a developer. While the land was being developed, protesters from Six Nations and many other reserves took the land over and have refused to leave until the land claim is settled. At first it was considered an illegal occupation by some people, but the province has bought the land back from the developers and is allowing the occupation to continue legally. For the most part it has been peaceful, but a few troublemakers have caused trouble and harassed the local townspeople.

That's just from my memory, actual information can be found here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/caledonia-landclaim/

I have to say, I've been stunned, completely stunned, and how much racism has come out of local people in regard to the Natives. Whether its the anti-native protests, the fist fights at the site, or the racial slurs I hear from people, it makes me sick to think that everyday normal Canadians can be so ignorant towards the people and the situation in general. (Although it doesn't surprise me -- we certainly aren't taught in school how poorly we've treated First Nations people.)

I realize that it must be inconvenient not to use certain roads anymore, but let's be realistic. What has Canada as a country down the First Nations people? Much worse than close a road or two. Until 1960, we wouldn't let them vote unless they gave up their treaty rights. We were still forcibly putting their children in residential schools in the 80s! The fact is, Canada has systematically stomped on the rights of our Natives and, now, when they stand up for themselves, we complain that we've been inconvenienced.

You know what we should have done? We should have joined the protest and went to Queens Park and Parliament Hill and demanded action on behalf of the natives. They have been fighting for this land since 1995. Maybe a united voice demanding a resolution to this land claim would have been more effective than an ongoing bitter occupation.

Oh, and people of Haldimand County? Vote in a new mayor -- Marie Trainer's 'us' and 'them' attitude doesn't help at all.