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Since we last spoke to Karl Dockstader and Sean Vanderklis about the occupation of a development site in Caledonia, Ontario known as 1492 Land Back Lane, tensions between land defenders and local authorities have flared. At the end of October, an Ontario Superior Court judge granted the developers a permanent injunction against the encampment. A violent confrontation between protesters and the OPP erupted. The One Dish, One Mic co-hosts return with an update from the site, and to explore why federal government inaction just makes things worse.
After this episode was recorded, on Friday Nov. 13, 1492 Landback Lane issued a press release: “The Federal Government reached out to Land Defenders during the summer, as well as to the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) to begin discussions on a negotiations table, but have not updated their position for more than 50 days. Six Nations people continue to demand a real response to the situation from the Federal Government.”
Later the same day, the office of Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, also released a statement. “Our government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively addressing Six Nations historical claims and land rights issues. (…) Federal government officials have been in regular communication with representatives of Six Nations Elected Chief and Council, Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council and Ontario throughout this process with regard to our offer to meet. We look forward to meeting with the community at the earliest opportunity.”
At the time of publication, no meeting or negotiation has been announced.
Additional production support from Trevor Twining
This episode was brought to you by Dispatch Coffee and Article.