Hate Crimes / Native Rights

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Hate Crimes / Native Rights

Letter to the Editor

Written by: Elizabeth Doxtater

Last Thursday, local lawyer Ed McCarthy from the Haldimand Law Association spoke on behalf of the people of Haldimand County, (possibly without all of the peoples' permission).  He urged his own elder, the honorable Justice David Marshall to order a removal of the Native people at the site in Caledonia.

FYI, Justice Marshall has been cited to be in a conflict of interest because of his property holdings within the Haldimand tract. Information about the land, gained through the confidence of former Native patients, while he was a practicing physician.

Mr. McCarthy's comments were bold.  In context of the on-site events from April 20, 2006 at 4:30 am, when the OPP raided, I believe that by his comments, he openly incites and willfully promotes hatred, a breach of peace, and incites a riot directed at the Native people. Acts, which are definable as, hate crimes in the Criminal Code.  If Mr. McCarthy respects his role as a lawyer as well as his responsibility to the public, he might want to remember that somewhere out there, someone vulnerable just may be listening and respond to his request.

Justice David Marshall has a tough balancing act: appease his excitable subordinates while not violating the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People.  He understands the issues related to Native sovereignty even if the Haldimand Law Association may not.

The fact remains Canada must respect Native rights. Stephen Harper should wake up, as should the members of the Haldimand Law Association.  Native rights are the inherent responsibility of the Canadian population, just as they are the inherent rights of the Native population(s). Native rights are protected within the Canadian Constitution, and if they're in the Constitution… they are the law! 

The counter blockades in Caledonia were racist-based, contrary to the initial blockades set up by the Native people.  Supposedly fueled by frustration stemming from fear, an impacted economy and inconvenience, the counter blockades did both publicly incite and willfully promoted hatred toward Native people and therefore are definable as hate crimes.  The witnesses… OPP officers.  To date I do not believe anyone has been charged.

The intent of the Native protest is different.   The protest is clearly based on a long-standing land claim with the federal government and/or the Crown.  The Native blockades, which were erected following the OPP raid, symbolized resistance, liberation from oppression, and hope. Within the spectrum of pain and healing from the layers of legislative abuses that Native people have endured, there still exists hope.  This is where the two worlds collide.  

Hope for non-Natives appears tied to corporate gain, while hope in Native communities seems connected to less corporate values.  Contrary to Mr. McCarthy's opinions, Lincoln Alexander, in a CHTV interview stated it best; the protest is 'justified.'  

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: E. Doxtater <ko...@execulink.com>
Date: Jun 6, 2006 11:58 AM
Subject: 2 letters that might interest you, feel free to forward
To: wampu...@gmail.com

Elizabeth Doxtater
Ohsweken

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