** please circulate widely **

STATEMENT FROM TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY:
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WARRANTS ISSUED: 30 MOHAWKS FACING ARREST
Tyendinaga Police 'Respond' to Community Concerns
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(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 an unprecedented attempt to criminalize and jail any effective opposition that exists in the community. This is an attack on our families, our children, our culture and 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 stand in 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 [police] 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 also awarded 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

** Please stay posted for further updates and information about what you can do **

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

New First Nations police station draws protest

By Brian St. Denis - Friday, October 31st, 2008
http://www.thepioneer.com/?q=node/2983

A protest against the installation of a new Tyendinaga police building ended early Wednesday night when activists delayed its delivery for a second time.

Native protesters braved the frigid weather for several days to protest the installation of the York Road station on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, west of Deseronto.

The building, which was assembled off-site, was trucked in Oct. 29 but was not successfully installed on the site.

"The trucking company had to leave because their permits were only good for the daylight hours, so when it started getting dark they had to get out of there," said Brant Bardy, a spokesperson for the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory band office.

The original delivery date was Sept. 23, making this the second delay in just over a month. Bardy said the protest has not deterred plans to bring the building in.

"The building is bought and paid for, and every delay is pushing up costs," said Bardy. "That's an injustice to the community coffers."

The issue of the heart of the protest was clean drinking water. According to the protesters, approximately 80 per cent of the community's wells are contaminated. The Quinte Mohawk School, just seconds down the road, has to provide bottled water for students because the tap water is unsafe.

"They need to address the issues," said Dan Doreen, spokesperson for the protesters. "They have bags over the fountains at the school."

He said that they don't object to the new building, but to the community having to match the government funding of $980,000. They believe this money should go to solving the drinking water problem first.

"Kids are number one," said another protester.

York Road was blocked off by the Mohawk Fire Department and several police officers for the duration of the protest. The protesters had a pick-up truck parked on the cement pad where the new building was to be placed.

The protesters also used a small tractor to dig on the property, claiming it was for a new youth centre, but Bardy said it was just a red herring.

Police announced early Wednesday morning that the protest had become a matter of public safety and blocked the public, including media, out of the area. Bardy said that a police investigation is underway, but Tyendinaga Police Chief Ron Maracle could not be reached for comment.

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HELP NEEDED! STATE HARASSMENT AT TYENDINAGA – SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND ARREST THREATS FOR STOPPING MEGA JAIL – Mohawk Nation Meeting set for Sun. Nov. 9

MNN. Nov. 5th, 2008. Today army helicopters and fighter jets are flying over Tyendinaga. Troops or supplies are being dropped in nearby fields. Who gave the command? This is a public disturbance and it’s trespassing on Mohawk air space. Canada has no jurisdiction over us, on the ground or in the air. What makes a command legitimate? According to international law, it has to be rooted in institutions that respect the principle of human equality. The Mohawks of Tyendinaga did not call in those war planes. To make a commander’s order legal, it has to be authorized according to democratic laws passed by the people concerned. We know none of this happened.

The Mohawks are objecting to illegal actions that are being taken by colonial government agents. It is not legal for a military commander to use force to circumvent the law or the will of the people. Using war planes to create a disturbance in a civilian community is clearly illegal. The military is pitting adolescent adrenaline against innocent unarmed children, elders, women and men who just want to live quietly and decently.

We’ve seen this kind of deliberate skuzzy “black ops” attempt to harm family life. It was used at Kanehsatake and Kahnawake in 1990, Gustafsen Lake in 1995 and Burnt Church in the Nova Scotia fishing dispute. Has war been declared against us? Is there any legal justification for this deliberate assault on civilian life? It is a total disregard for the safety and protection of children.

Sending in colonized cops who happen to be “aboriginal” just doesn’t cut it either. Who are they taking their orders from? It’s not the people of Tyendinaga!

Canada is targeting us for opposing the misuse of public funds to build an expensive mega police station. The colonial Band Council put up half of our money ($1 million) for the unwanted cop shop without our consent. The Ministry of Public Safety and Security put up the other half. These millions are desperately needed to provide safe water, to address the toxic housing conditions and to stop the dangerous quarry operations. Inadequate construction caused houses to be abandoned because of mold. The water is undrinkable. It’s shocking to find these conditions in southern Ontario where settler communities enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. International standards on clean water, adequate housing, health care and safe communities is a fundamental right we are being deliberately deprived of.

“Build-All Contractors” quarry operations lacks rigorous environmental study and safety assessments that are standard features elsewhere. Nearby houses are having water problems and collapsed wells for the first time ever. 80 per cent of the community's wells are contaminated. The nearby Quinte Mohawk School has to provide bottled water for students because the tap water is toxic. The kids can’t even wash their hands because they could get sick if they put their hands in their mouth. Build-All Quarry is owned by Police Chief Maracle's brother, who is also trying to construct the new mega high tech jail.

Why is a second jail being build in the middle of Tyendinaga for jailing “outsiders”, as the chief said? It’s supposed to have a chopper pad on the roof! Who is this for?

On September 24th, 2008, the prefab mega jail was stopped after community members blocked it from its intended site. The people stopped another delivery attempt on Oct. 29th.

It appears that Tyendinaga Police Chief Ron Maracle is charging 30 men, women and youth who demonstrated against his super “police station” and his brother’s second dangerous quarry operation. He’s targeted Longhouse people who watch over corrupt Band Council operations and spending. Canada is trying to take out or neutralize anyone who defends the rights of the people.

Invitation wampums have been sent to every Mohawk community to come to Tyendinaga to take part in a council meeting on Sunday, November 9th at 10:00 am. Mediation strategies will be discussed to sit down with Canada peacefully, if possible.

As George Manual said, “I would rather leave my children with the legitimacy of the struggle than to leave them with a settlement they cannot live with”.

Karakwine & MNN Staff Mohawk Nation News www.mohawknationnews.com
Katenies20@yahoo.com kahentinetha2@yahoo.com

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Solidarity Information

To help, please contact the Rotiskenrakete: 613-391-4055, 613-813-4053, 613-827-4991, 613-391-5132, 613-848-6968, 613-813-1017, email wasoonde3232@aol.com; Friends, allies and supporters: witnesses bring cameras, camcorders, food, cells, phone cards and warm clothes, especially gloves. Directions: Trans Canada Highway 401 to “Marysville” exit, south on #49 to #2 and then turn right into the community.

CONTACT: Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, Ottawa 613-944-4875 or 1-800-830-3118 fax: 613-954-5186 communications@ps.gc.ca;

We need to tell Canada and their agents to: (1) immediately stop their attacks, police brutality and trying to impose a prison on the Mohawks; (2) honor Indigenous rights and jurisdictions; (3) support the Mohawks struggle for self-determination; and (4) to get Canada and Indian Affairs out of Haudenosaunee Territory.

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Mohawk police issue criminal charges:
Shawn Brant, 12 others charged after protests

Belleville Intelligencer - November 7th, 2008
http://www.intelligencer.ca/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1284655##

Tyendinaga Mohawk police have issued a score of criminal charges on more than a dozen people involved in a pair of protests in the First Nations territory last week.

Eleven adults and two young people have been issued charges in relation to protests occurring on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 at a private quarry operation and a site where a new police station was to arrive.

Police released the news Thursday, saying at the time that three arrest warrants had been executed. They say more information, including the specific charges for each individual, will be released after all outstanding warrants have been executed.

Those charged for participating in the two protests are:

. Chad Douglas Baptiste, 33;

. Kathy Anne Baptiste, 48

. Jerome Jay Barnhart, 46

. Clint Brant, 30

. Jacqueline L. Brant, 54

. Shawn Michael Brant, 44

. Daniel John Doreen, 35

. Curtis Fox, 20

. Kevin Andrew Maracle, 30

. Jason Christopher Maracle, 30

. John Trevor Maracle, 33

Two others arrested for their involvement in the protests are under 18 and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police also announced they have charged three people for a protest at the private quarry site on Sept. 4. They are George Smart, 55; Peter Laducer, 54; and Wayne Maracle, 65.

On Oct. 28, a group of protesters blocked the York Road site where a new building for Tyendinaga Police Services was to arrive. The protest continued through the next day, until the modular building was shipped away.

spetrick@intelligencer.ca