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> TYENDINAGA ALERT
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> Subject: [tmt_support] CONTACT THE FEDS: Back Off Tyendinaga Mohawk
> Territory
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> ** please circulate widely **
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> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CONTACT THE FEDS: Back off Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory:COLONIAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 theiropposition 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 lackof 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT FROM TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 anunprecedented attempt to criminalize and jail any effective opposition that exists in the community. This is an attack on our families, our children, our cultureand 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 standin 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 alsoawarded 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------