Haudenosaunee Affirm Sovereignty -- Declare Moratorium to End Further Development on Haldimand Tract 
On April 20, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council held a
press conference outside the Onondaga Longhouse on Six Nations of the
Grand River to
declare an immediate moratorium on any further development in the
Haldimand Tract. This is land the Crown, which usurped Indigenous
territories in the first place, "bequeathed" the Six Nations of the
Grand River in 1784 as compensation for the loss of their territories
and for being military allies of the British during the American
Revolutionary War. What was roughly 384,451
hectares along the Grand River has been reduced
to less than five per cent of its original size through land grabs by
governments for urban development, and other illegal and underhanded
means. Speaking on behalf of the Haudenosaunee
Chiefs Council, Deyohowe:to
(Roger Silversmith), Snipe Clan Chief of the Cayuga Nation stated among
other things: "According
to our law, the land is not private property that can be owned by any
individual. In our world view the land is a right to be held in common
for the benefit of all. The land is a sacred trust placed in our care
for the sake of the coming generations," the Chief said. "Land is meant
to be shared among, and by, the people." "It is not for permanent
empire building," he added. He
highlighted the immense challenges faced by the Haudenosaunee for more
than 200 years to affirm their land rights: "Our ancestors faced
overwhelming odds and relentless pressure to give up our lands.
Unscrupulous practices were used to coerce our ancestors into selling
the land. At other times outright fraud took place as acknowledged in
the Royal Proclamation of 1763." Deyohowe:to
emphasized that the Haudenosaunee live by the Great Law
of Peace and agreements made by the Crown based on the Two-Row Wampum,
the Silver Covenant Chain of
Peace and Friendship, and that sharing or leasing the land is based on
these agreements, another example of the Dish with One Spoon principle.
"We seek justice in our longstanding land
rights issue, we seek an accurate account of the use and investment of
the funds held by the Crown on our behalf, and the land transactions of
the Crown involving our lands. For nearly
200 years our Chiefs have been asking for such an accounting and
justice. Generations of elders have passed away with these matters
unresolved and it is time to end the injustice. We want
the land that is ours. We are not interested in approving fraudulent
dispossessions of the past. We are not interested in selling land,"
Deyohowe:to stated. The Chief pointed out, "Our
faith in the Canadian people is strong,
as we feel that the majority of Canadians also want to see justice in
these matters. However their elected
representatives and public servants have failed to act effectively to
address and resolve these matters. It is time to lift the cloud of
denial and wipe away the politics that darken their vision
of our future. It is time we are heard clearly. It is time our case is
heard with utmost respect." 
"Today
we are putting a moratorium on development on the Haldimand
Tract. No development can proceed on the Haldimand Tract without the
consent of the Haudenosaunee. The
moratorium builds on our land rights statement to end the exploitation
of the land and resources along the Tract," Deyohowe:to affirmed. In
concluding their press statement, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs
and Clan Mothers affirmed their support for "the efforts and stand
behind our people who are protecting our land rights." This is a
powerful public statement of support for the land defenders at 1492
Landback Lane, who have stood their ground for the last 10 months
defending unceded lands against the Foxgrove Developments' housing
project on Six Nations territory. "We want the
Crown to keep its obligation to the treaties to ensure
that all Crown governments, federal, provincial and municipal, are
partners in those obligations," Deyohowe:to said.
"We want an honourable relationship with the Crown, and a peaceful
resolution to these longstanding issues." All
Out to Support the Haudenosaunee Moratorium on
Development
on the Haldimand Tract!
Canada Must Respect Nation-to-Nation
Relations with the Haudenosaunee!
Uphold the Sovereignty of
the Six Nations!
This article was published in
Volume 51 Number 5 - May 9, 2021
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2021/Articles/M510057.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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