‘This has become our home’: Six Nations ‘land defenders’ remain at Caledonia construction site

Tension at 1492 Land Back Lane was cut by a rolling blockade arriving at the occupied Caledonia construction site Tuesday evening, honking car horns and shouting support.

Despite all the threats of OPP invasion and everything that's been going on the last few days, here we are at Land Back Lane enjoying this massive caravan of people," Skyler Williams said in a Facebook live video Tuesday.

Tuesday marked Day 31 of the occupation of the McKenzie Meadows land development in Caledonia by a group of self-described land defenders" from Six Nations.

We continue to hold strong at 1492 Land Back Lane with no intentions of leaving this land," Williams wrote in a Facebook post published Wednesday afternoon.

Despite agreements signed between the developer, Foxgate Developments, and Six Nations elected council, the occupiers say the land was never ceded and there wasn't adequate community consultation.

On Wednesday, Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt criticized the group, saying there are better ways to resolve the issue than protesting.

I look forward to the peaceful end to this illegal occupation, and I will not support lifting the injunctions until all roads, (rail lines) and property are completely vacated," said Mayor Ken Hewitt in a statement.

He outlined a list of facts that some do not want to hear" illustrating the legitimacy of Foxgate's investment in the land for a 229-unit subdivision at McKenzie Meadows, which was rebranded as the McKenzie in 2015.

We fully expect that the OPP will act on these injunctions should those so choose to continue to defy the wishes of the majority on Six Nations and Caledonia," Hewitt wrote.

The OPP has been in a legal position to enforce the injunction since it was read to protesters Friday, but had yet to act on it as of Wednesday evening. A photo circulating on social media showed an armoured OPP vehicle, typically operated by the tactics unit, stationed in Caledonia.

Police presence is at an all-time high," Williams wrote in a Facebook post late Tuesday. The cops have said repeatedly that their only concern is the roads. But trust for them is not one that I give lightly."

Meanwhile, the group occupying McKenzie Meadows on McKenzie Road in Caledonia is beginning to erect more permanent structures on the site. Williams said an order of lumber arrived Tuesday, and they will continue to build.

We will not be slowed or deterred from our goal," he said. This has become our home. All the people here are a family."

Williams expressed sympathy for elected Chief Mark Hill, whose house caught fire Tuesday morning.

I am very disheartened to have learned of Six Nations elected band council Chief Mark Hill's house being set on fire," Williams said. Myself and the folks at 1492 condemn these actions of violence against a member of our community."

Six Nations Police say they are investigating the fire as a deliberate act.

Emergency responders were called to the house on Sixth Line, east of Cayuga Road, on Tuesday around 8:20 a.m. A passerby retrieved a man from the residence, which was completely engulfed in flames," Six Nations Police said in a press release Tuesday. No injuries were reported, but the fire and smoke caused significant damage to the home.

I can only confirm that it is an ongoing, active arson investigation in conjunction with the Ontario Fire Marshal's office," wrote Sgt. Derrick T. Anderson of the Six Nations Police in an email to The Spectator.

Six Nations Police say they expect to have more information to share in the coming days. Const. Rod LeClair said the Haldimand OPP is assisting with the investigation.

Williams addressed the false accusation" made on social media that he was behind the attack on Hill's home.

Unequivocally this is not true," he said in a Facebook post Wednesday. Our relationship has been one of jokes, teasing and holding each other to task."

Since the occupation of McKenzie Meadows began, Williams has maintained that the group's intentions are to keep the peace.

Now more than ever we must come together and work towards solutions that build strong nations."

Williams called a meeting for Wednesday night to address confusion regarding steps moving forward for removing the barricades," the Facebook post read.

Respecting Haudenosaunee Law, we are calling on our people for a collective decision."

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com