Friday, December 01, 2006

The Legacy of Caledonia

The mismanagement of the Caledonia claim has prompted local governments up the river to change their tactics. Traditional as well as elected councils will consulted for project plans involving aboriginal claims.

Several provincial and regional transportation projects are being stalled due to the Six Nations claim to the bed and banks of the Grand River.

Regional government has obviously learned some lessons from Caledonia. The Record reports that "Politicians hope consultations will help prevent an aboriginal land standoff from erupting here."

If these talks progress as slowly as they are in Caledonia, those bridge and highway plans may very well become obsolete before they are approved.

5 comments:

Forward Looking Canadian said...

Joanne,

TOTALLY off topic so I apologize, but whenever a socially-hot topic erupts, I swing over to your blog for your thoughts.

I heard the Cons put forward the motion to open SSM debate... apparently it calls for the government to introduce legislation to restore traditional marriage, but will allow civil unions and respect all current SSM's that have already taken place.

Your thoughts? If I was a socially conservative person I think this would be a wimper of an attempt to get the issue off the table. Personally, I think its funny cause I never thought Stephen Harper cared about this issue, and was just placating his base. Seems like he'd rather let sleeping dogs lie and move on. Does this make you upset with Harper?

Always interested in your thoughts. PS, check our Well's blog for exact wording of motion.

- Riley

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Yeah, that's pretty off topic, Riley, but thanks for the heads-up. I'll check out Well's blog.

Anonymous said...

Seiling is living in a dream world if he thinks these projects are going to be get the approval of the traditional chiefs. Just another way to extort consessions from the white man.

Anonymous said...

swift, what I've read is that the traditional chiefs are chosen by the elder women of the tribe, and can be recalled by them. It all sounds very democratic, at least among the elder women. It sounds like "well, you wouldn't mind your own grandmother choosing the leaders now would you?"

Do you know what really happens? Do all the elder women participate in this? Or only from certain families? Is a chief they choose in place for life (supposedly they can depose a chief, but does it happen)?

Why would the people not simply elect the same traditional chiefs? Do they not really agree with this sort of elite running the show? If that is the case, why would the elected council be so discredited and cede negotiating power to the traditional chiefs?

Joanne (True Blue) said...

LS - Some excellent questions there.

Where's Ottawa Core when you really need him/her?