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Monday will mark 100 days of occupation at the McKenzie Meadows construction site in Caledonia - and Skyler Williams of Six Nations says he and other land defenders are settling in" to maintain their presence through the winter.
The Argyle Street blockade in front of the Canadian Tire was quiet over the weekend, with the exception of a march mid-Sunday that drew around 100 supporters, including members of the Ontario Federation of Labour and CUPE Ontario.
Allies and land defenders carried signs and banners, some drumming and others singing as they gathered in front of members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Today's show of solidarity was amazing," said Williams, in an email to the Spectator Sunday. The OPP have been trying to intimidate our allies and supporters, and despite this, more and more people are standing alongside us."
The march also marked the 236th anniversary of the Haldimand Tract - the territory encompassing 10 kilometres along the full length of the Grand River that was given to the Haudenosaunee by the British in gratitude for their aid during the American Revolution.
Six Nations members and their allies have been occupying the construction site - now informally known 1492 Land Back Lane - since July 19.
They contend the site is on unceded Indigenous land near Six Nations of the Grand River reserve and that the planned development infringes on Indigenous sovereignty.
Since then, dozens of people have been arrested and violence has erupted at the blockades.
Police and land defenders clashed Thursday evening, just hours after the Superior Court ruled that a pair of injunctions connected to the occupation will be made permanent.
The OPP said officers used non-lethal force" - which Williams described as rubber bullets and a Taser - when confronted with demonstrators throwing rocks at police cruisers on Argyle Street near Sixth Line.
Williams told reporters Saturday that he had to pull Taser darts from his brother's back." He said rubber bullets were also fired at women that were minding their own business" sitting near a campfire.
They had a rubber bullet go ... by them," Williams added. That violent interaction ... is ridiculous, it's despicable."
In a statement to The Spectator Sunday, Haldimand OPP Const. Rod LeClair said the provincial liaison team continues to be engaged in dialogue with demonstrators to seek a peaceful resolution."
But, Williams said other levels of the government - municipal, provincial and federal - have not come to the table to find an answer.
They should have shown up 97 days ago," said Williams. We're willing to sit down and have these meaningful talks ... but they need to be meaningful. They should be bearing fruit by the end of them."
In a statement Friday, the Six Nations elected council called for calm on all sides."
We hope in the days ahead, that we can work in unity to focus on the common goal of addressing our Six Nations Land Claims," the statement said. It's time for the federal and provincial governments to right their wrongs."
As for those staying at Land Back Lane, Williams indicated Saturday that they're preparing to be at the site for the long haul - and the coming winter months.
As long as the OPP stay back and let the process continue, then I think ... everybody's settling in nicely," he said. So far, so good."
Blockades remained in place over the weekend with police warning drivers to use alternative routes. Closed are: Argyle Street South, from Braemar Avenue to Highway 6; Highway 6 from Fourth Line to Greens Road; and McKenzie Road from Fuller Drive and York Road.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com- With files from The Canadian Press