Brantford should thank Six Nations:

City council's legal action to blame for trouble

I think Brantford should get on its knees and thank the people from Six Nations that something far worse hasn't occurred. ... in the face of repeated attempts on Brantford's part to suppress the inalienable rights of the sovereign people of Six Nations with racist bylaws and injunctions which are doomed to failure.

Re: Tim Philp's column "What a difference a year makes." http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1365253

Philp states: "While native activists may have taken some delight in having caused developers to stop work ... etc."

This is small-minded commentary. Nothing could be further from the truth. Philp makes it sound as if we are gloating, gleeful or deriving some sort of smug satisfaction out of our few successes in stopping development in Brantford. I would prefer something like: "Enjoying the fruits of our honest efforts."

The operative word here is honest. This is a word many of Brantford's citizens have come to know as a characteristic its own council is unaware of. We didn't skulk under cover of darkness creating havoc. We did not cover our faces. We conducted our responsibilities in the open, in broad daylight for all to see. We suffered as many racial slurs from the "good citizens" of Brantford as the mind can conceive and, for the most, maintained our dignity.

The greater majority of we "activists" -- and here I prefer the word "protectors" -- have stood the line in every kind of inclement weather and there's no delight in that, I can assure you. We have stood peacefully with open hands and open faces, but came armed only with a deep sense of purpose and determination; a knowing of what constitutes right and the will to prevent great injustices being perpetrated against both the land we are responsible for and ourselves as a people.

When Philp speaks of the financial woes facing Brantford, alluding to "native activists" as being largely responsible for them and delighting in those woes, he is nowhere near the bull's-eye. Brantford's present mayor and council are where the majority of blame lies.

It has used and perverted the legal system. It has refused time and again to recognize its legal obligation, its responsibilities and duty to consult with Six Nations in a meaningful way, as ruled by many courts in Canada in various actions involving natives, including the Supreme Court of Canada!

And the whole point is: none of this would have happened if Brantford had offered up a modicum of respect toward Six Nations and its interests in the Haldimand Tract as a federally acknowledged land claim. In fact, Brantford followed the same path that Caledonia took in 2006, knowing in advance it couldn't work. I think Brantford should get on its knees and thank the people from Six Nations that something far worse hasn't occurred.

The good minds of Brantford's neighbours across the river have prevailed and kept the peace in the face of repeated attempts on Brantford's part to suppress the inalienable rights of the sovereign people of Six Nations with racist bylaws and injunctions which are doomed to failure.

If Philp is so worried about local tax dollars, ask the mayor and council to account for the tens of thousands of dollars frittered away on legal actions against Six Nations which have virtually no chance of success. Talking in a meaningful, respectful way with Six Nations would have been a lot cheaper, more productive and prevented a lot of hard feelings.

C. Orville Garlow

Ohsweken