More rumours of impending Canada Day violence [and ongoing updates]
I have yet another email, also difficult to substantiate, from someone close to the events in Caledonia. As before, I am posting it with a warning that none of the content is confirmed.
This time, the focus is on plans for a violent Canada Day long weekend in Caledonia:
Subject: Friday Night
Just got off the phone with my contact who lives on Thistlemore. Person visited yesterday by a rep. from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Their purpose is to assess the amount of damage and costs incurred by the residents during this "Event". There were 5 questions. The rep took the questions with her but left an overview. My contact is photo copying this and bringing it over tomorrow [ed. I'd like to see it too, if I can].
There is increased activity at DCE. After the removal of the barricades, there were 2 out houses. Yesterday they brought in 5 more. They have been hauling in wood all day yesterday and today. They are stacking them in huge pyres.
Scanners are picking up on-going communication from the Warriors saying that they are going to help the Caledonians celebrate Canada Day festivities. No mention of specifics just continuous excitement over this coming weekend. My uneducated guess is that if they do show up at the dance, they will just stand and watch. Intimidate by presence. They hope that the Caledonians, fuelled with fire water will start the fight. They, the poor, peaceful natives, who only wanted to be part of the celebration will be forced to fight back to protect their women and children. Racist, violent Caledonia will be portrayed as just that.
Sunday night, the Baptist church had organized a church supper and entertainment. They had invited a Native Christian Band to provide the entertainment and felt it would be a sign of open hearts to invite the Mohawk Warriors. They did arrive in full camouflage with scarves. They sat and by the end of the entertainment seemed to be relaxed. After most of the congregation had left and there were only a few stragglers remaining, a warrior went up to the minister and told him what a great evening they had and what a lovely building the church was. He then told the minister that if there was anything that he felt emotionally attached to he should take it because they were going to take over the Church. He then saluted and left. The scanners are also picking up on communications that tells of a plan to immediately take over Notre Dame as soon as it closes. They feel that with most of the Canadian Army being deployed in Afghanistan, the most the army can come up with is 1500. They can beat that number with 1 hand tied behind their back. Also, that idiot, Monty Kwinter [ed. Monte Kwinter is Ontario's Minister of Public Safety and Security in Dalton McGuinty's Liberal government; Kwinter has a degree in fine arts], announcing that all was back to normal in Caledonia not only enraged us, but also enraged the warriors. Almost like a challenge. That's about it. Stay safe.
Stay tuned through this weekend.
Updates:
As I had hoped, I'm starting to get emails from others who are close to the events to help clarify the situation.
A person who attended the concert at the Baptist church has contacted me after contacting the pastor, and tells me that the pastor denies that a threat of a takeover was ever made.
Note that the church is behind the barricade on Argyle Street. Services have been held as worshippers have been let through the barricade.
So this party of the story could be relegated to the fevered imagination pile for now...
That still leaves the question of Notre Dame. The original email expects that people know these names. The Baptist Church is on Argyle Street at the intersection of Braemar Avenue. Notre Dame refers to the Catholic high school on Braemar, just 800 feet west of the Baptist Church.
That would put the school behind the Argyle Street barricade as well.
Today or tomorrow will be the last day of school. I guess we'll see if the takeover of the high school is a real plan.
More updates as I receive them.
Updates:
The church was behind the barricade, but is no longer. The Douglas Creek Estates development was immediately adjacent to the church, to the south and to the east.
The school is also not behind the barricade, but the development borders the school property on the south, and the access road to the development runs along the west side of the school. All the activity, the barricades, the Warrior flags -- everything can be seen from the school. Not good for the children, but perhaps a nice location to control, tactically speaking.
In any case, let's hope the intensity level drops over the next little while.
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Comments
Dalton McGuinty's "Peace in our time" buyout didn't placate anyone? Maybe if he shovels MORE money into the DCE coal furnace, this problem will go away. If this incident does happen, I'd love to see the Ontario government buy their way out of this one!
Posted by: at June 28, 2006 04:08 PM
Caledonia = shades of Clockwork Orange...
Posted by: tomax7 at June 28, 2006 06:33 PM
It will be interesting to see if any of these rumors turn out to be true. At least this scenario is much better than mine. BTW, have you heard that the Manitoba blockade has been called off http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060628.wblock0628/BNStory/National/home
Posted by: jgriffin at June 28, 2006 07:38 PM
Canadians have grown complacent about the rule of law apparently. Liberal politicians routinely ignore it and nobody cares too much, so now even an insurgency is overlooked. Liberals can simply raise taxes and hand it over to other criminals because Liberals have grown used to criminal mis-use of tax dollars, it's no sweat off them - keeps them in power.
Posted by: philanthropist at June 28, 2006 07:47 PM
Thanks for the update Steve. Caledonia has seemed to fall out of the light in the media, not enough outrage among the leftist editors in our MSM. Guess PMSH was right.
I can't fathom what the homeowners on six line are feeling tonight. I know I would be armed and my family relocated.
The weak provincial government has no clue what it is to feel fear. Tucked safe in their gated communities they have completely lost touch. Caledonia is but a sideline to their afternoon brunch, something to be tucked away in their spineless pea brains while they enjoy their roast beef dinner and that shot of congnac before bed.
Posted by: Shere Khan at June 28, 2006 09:10 PM
It will be interesting to see if any of these rumors turn out to be true. At least this scenario is much better than mine. BTW, have you heard that the Manitoba blockade has been called off http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060628.wblock0628/BNStory/National/home
Posted by: jgriffin at June 28, 2006 09:17 PM
Thanks for your help....
Posted by: skyclad at June 28, 2006 09:35 PM
What a shame. It seems strange up here in Peace River country. People here are just too busy working, gambling and getting drunk. The Mid-East War, all out war between Israel and the Arabs, and most frightening, Caledonia. None of it seems real. Natives up here work along side everyone else and when Big Oil moves into Native territory, it seems like everything is settled with a big fat cheque. Everyone wins. Maybe the hatred is just seething underneath all the prosperity.
Political Correctness will destroy everything the West has worked for. The consequences are frightening. Let's hope we can find the strength and courage to fight. Let's start with Naom Chomsky.
Posted by: Matt at June 28, 2006 11:49 PM
I think that the homeowners on six line have the most to worry about now that the OPP has abrogated the security that has been paid for through taxation and by contract.
The next step by our "Proud and Honourable" warriors might very well be inviting them to be unwilling guests behind the barricades. This after all is generally a step taken by terrorists in an attempt to protect their own sorry a$$es.
Posted by: vieux loup at June 29, 2006 12:20 AM
The churches should realize they are just pawns when they reach out to outlaws. Ditto retired politicians expecting to be honest brokers in a negotiation. Groups like the Warriors own the "useful idiot" principle.
Warrior Society thugs "can beat that number [1500 properly trained soldiers] with 1 hand tied behind their back"?
[stage direction: picks self up off the floor, wipes tears from eyes, straightens face, suppresses further laughter]
Maybe if the government ties the army's hands behind its back, but not otherwise. Though, admittedly, the government has done that sort of thing before.
Posted by: Jim Whyte at June 29, 2006 09:09 AM
That comment about "most of the Canadian Army being tied up in Afghanistan... most is 1500" really made me laugh.
The Army is understrength. Many of the combat units in 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group have been stripped to provide for the present deployment in Afghanistan.
But whoever made this statement forgets that Canada has two other brigades, one in Petawawa and one in Valcartier. In fact, 2 Brigade is forming a battlegroup to replace the present group in Afghanistan. They're undergoing predeployment training.
If it were to come to a crisis, the Army could (painfully, but nontheless successfully) send the 2200-strong Royal Canadian Regiment battlegroup that's been spinning up for Afghanistan down to deal with the standoff, while delaying the repatriation of the present Afghan deployment.
As for handling them with one hand tied behind their backs? Well, the RCR battlegroup's been preparing for combat with the Taliban in Afghanistan. They're getting the same training that the PPCLI now in Afghanistan had, covering counter-insurgency warfare, civil affairs, fighting in built-up areas, and unconventional warfare - a skill-set highly applicable to any crisis in Caledonia. Add to that the benefits of all the combat lessons learned in Afghanistan and passed back to Canada - and just ask the Taliban how they're handling the PPCLI battlegroup there with "one hand tied behind their backs." I just read that Taliban forces in the Canadian area of operations just split because half of them don't want to fight anymore. These are Afghans who have been fighting Soviets, Northern Alliance, Americans, and now us - and for the natives to compare their military prowess to the Taliban is ridiculous.
And, on top of all that, the Army could probably scrape up another couple thousand regular troops from the 5ieme Brigade in Quebec. Not at the same level of training, but most of those troops have recent experience in Afghanistan. Furthermore, that's the same brigade that handled the Oka crisis - their senior officers and NCOs will remember that deployment and have four or five tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan to top that off. They can't be dismissed lightly.
And if 5000 well-trained and well-equipped, highly experienced regular troops isn't enough, the Army could call up several hundred reservists to help. These could cordon off the area of operations, do traffic control, provide medical and communications assistance, and do other echelon tasks, thus freeing up the regular troops to deal directly with the "enemy." And if attacked, these are still trained and armed soldiers - they'd give a good account of themselves.
Such a deployment would be very difficult, tremendously expensive, and hard on troops and equipment. It would be a nightmare from a planning and coordination perspective on short notice. But it could be done - and has been done in the past.
Posted by: Jeff Jones at June 29, 2006 01:16 PM
Wow It's like our own little Fallujah
I doubt McQuinty will be disturbed this holiday weekend. He'll be kicking back somewhere with nary a thought in his head. ( As usual)
Posted by: Levesque at June 29, 2006 02:44 PM
It would be a shame if the Caledonia crisis came to military confrontation..........WHAT AM I SAYING?? I sincerely HOPE it DOES come to that, and yesterday is not soon enough. Terrorists are terrorists, be they Muslims or Indians. Both should be treated the same. Swift and ruthlessly.
Posted by: arctic_front at June 29, 2006 03:19 PM
Why is it when one uses the word Indian it somehow seems to be derogatoy? Wonder who's at fault here? Since it's a race of people who lived here before the white man and lay claim to a big chunk of our land whatever happened? Could it be the white man's fault for developing the country we call Canada today through immigration and very hard work? We have to wonder what would be left of the Indian population if it were not for civilization and all it's discoveries. The behaviour of the Indians at Caledonia is not showing any respect or appreciation for all the perks and funding they receive from this country through treaties signed many moons ago. It's about time we called in the army before people get killed. Don't expect any help from Dolty McGoo. He criticized Harris so he has no intention of getting involved, he's busy revving up for the next election. One option, the army, sadly.
Posted by: Liz Jackson at June 30, 2006 04:47 PM
I find these comments not very well informed. The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations have a valid claim to the lands, but Canada's land claims process moves too slowly, as reported recently by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
I find it disgusting that you are advocating large scale violence against a race of people, when you don't have your facts straight.
Posted by: saga at June 30, 2006 08:48 PM
Saga: Who is advocating violence? Surely people have the right to move freely on roads and rail lines without putting up with thuggish behaviour from Natives trying tto negotiate a land claim, valid or not.It's boorish behaviour for this time in our history. If it takes the army to protect ou law abiding citizens, so be it. Violence? The choice is theirs. This is not a lawless country.
Posted by: Liz Jackson at July 1, 2006 12:50 PM
July 3rd, the sun has risen, beautiful day, the mosquitoes are biting, arrg.
Glad to hear/see nothing came of Caledia, been camping all weekend so missed my blogfix.
His mercies are new every morning, new every morning...
Posted by: tomax7 at July 3, 2006 07:16 AM
Caledonia...
*sigh*
Posted by: tomax7 at July 3, 2006 07:17 AM
Saga: The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations have never had a valid claim to these lands beyond what the deed from the crown provided. Lands in question were originally held by the Ojibway, and provided by them to the crown for Six Nations use. Your own ancestors gave them up for profit. Get over it. If you want to go after ancestral land, wander down to New York state and see what you can do.
Posted by: Skip at July 3, 2006 10:49 AM
I'm not aboriginal, I'm a supporter. The 1841 'surrender' of the lands is "unlawful" by UN rules. The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations know that as they are well informed and follow all relevant laws and legal precedents.Canada can play the litigation game for years and cost taxpayers million$, but the outcome will be the same: They have a valid claim to the Haldimand deed and lands must be returned or compensated. Since this is a burial ground, they want it back. If the government would act now in good faith, this situation could end, and future situations like this could be avoided, not to mention saving million$ in legal fees!
The Haudenosaunee are peaceful unless attacked or invaded. If the OPP had done their job right from the beginning, there would have been no road blockades. The OPP have to uphold the SuprememCourt of Canada ruling that aboriginals pursuing land claims issues are not to be removed like common criminals. The reason for this ruling is that Canada is so far behind in dealing with legitimate land claims that aboriginals are forced into civil protest to guard their lands fromm desecration.
Posted by: saga at July 3, 2006 07:49 PM
...and there was NEVER any compensation given to Six Nations for the land surrendered. No one profited because the government just ignored them and took the land, against, I might add, Canada's existing laws at the time.
I like to address misinformation when I find it, and there is plenty here!
Posted by: saga at July 3, 2006 07:54 PM
How is this for real information. The indian lost over a hundred years ago. Get used to it.
Posted by: FREE at July 3, 2006 09:24 PM
"...and there was NEVER any compensation given to Six Nations for the land surrendered..."
Hokie, let's pay 6 nations for the land at 1812 rates. Oh not fair you say, ok, pay back all the government support, residential schools, free medicare, schooling, community centres, water treatment plants, combines and tractors, free free and more free things for the past 50 years in leu of it.
Or we can call all this even and move on?
Posted by: tomax7 at July 4, 2006 03:33 PM
No, we can't just "call it all even and move on". Given all of the hand-wringing about Respect For The Rule of Law I have seen around here, I'd expect we'd all be a little more sensitized to the need to do things in a lawful way. The law doesn't provide for "calling it all even".
The claims have to be dealt with, lawfully and fairly, and if the federal government would shelve its delay tactics once and for all and invest in getting these settled, we actually would be able to put things like this behind us all, and move on.
Posted by: Craigers at July 4, 2006 04:31 PM
Incidentally, me and the family took in the fireworks in Caledonia on Saturday night. Peaceful night, no trouble that I could see (not even rowdy kids), good time had by all. Lots of folks from the reserve were also out to enjoy the fireworks.
Posted by: Craigers at July 4, 2006 04:35 PM
 
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