Israel loses a daughter and defender – Rose Lax of Hamilton’s Never Again Group

I am very sad to to report that Rose Lax, a passionate advocate for Israel who was the driving force behind Hamilton’s Never Again Group, passed away on the weekend. She will be interned in Jerusalem on May 01/12 at 1:30pm at Bait Hesped, Har HaMenuchot Cemetary. A Shloshim Memorial service will take place at the Adas Israel Congregation in Hamilton on Wednesday, May 30/12 at 7:30pm.

The announcement from Adas Israel describes Rose as…

“Beloved mother of Daisy, mother-in-law of Kent, grandmother of Olivia, Asher & Ben. Passionate defender of the Jewish People & Israel.”

Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller: ‘Stop blaming colonization & residential schools’

SEE ALSO: Gary McHale to Six Nations: Beware what you teach your children

“It’s no wonder so many of our youth seem lost, without direction and guidance, and are choosing the wrong road. Look at the examples they have to follow.” Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller, May 25/11

UPDATED June 11/11 — In the wake of the lawless takeover of the former Six Nations police station by youths Councillor Helen Miller has written a letter to the Turtle Island News in which she itemizes a brutally honest shopping list of reserve dysfunctionality and provides a shockingly fresh solution:

• repeated vandalism of the Veterans’ hall.
• Men’s Fire telling people provincial laws don’t apply, and that Six Nations Police have no authority, which promotes lawlessness.
• People paying kids to steal cars and sell drugs.
• Cigarette shops, some of which are fronts for drug dealers.
• ATV drivers & Poker Run organizers refuse to respect farmers’ properties and crops.
• People stealing reserve land, including the Glebe Lands.
• Domestic violence is rampant.
• Women and girls are being sexually assaulted.
• Too many kids being raised by single parents because fathers refuse responsibility or mothers deny access.
• Increased violence at sports games with racism on both sides.
• More suicides among kids in last few years than in 10 years.
• Kids being bullied at school, but no zero-tolerance policy adopted.
• Drug addictions are plaguing the community, not just youth, but moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles. Several babies born addicted to drugs, or born w/Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
• Elected council fighting with confederacy council with Mohawk Workers refusing to work with either council.

Native militants & CUPE try to intimidate Mount Royal University into silence re Caledonia

Nuremberg Laws - guide to determining racial purity. Click to enlarge.

Six Nations militants and their CUPE-organized supporters have begun yet another smear campaign against Gary McHale and Mark Vandermaas – this time via an online petition directed at intimidating Mount Royal University into not allowing the voices of Caledonia victims to be heard at the upcoming ‘New Directions in Aboriginal Policy’ forum organized by Dr. Frances Widdowson on May 05/10 in Calgary.       

• Caledonia Victims Project, April 08/10: Caledonia activists to address ‘New Directions in Aboriginal Policy’ forum
• Dr. Frances Widdowson: New Directions in Aboriginal Policy Forums

‘The Strength of a Woman’: Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller

UPDATE – CWUC blog, July 17/09: Six Nations councillor speaks out against lawlessness

UPDATED 2101 EST JULY 14/09

A remarkable letter by Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller to the editor of the Brantford Expositor echoes the very message that CANACE founders have been trying to share with the media, the public, the police,  government officials and the people of Six Nations for nearly three years:

The individuals and ad hoc groups who have committed crimes against the people of Haldimand and Brantford do NOT speak for the people of Six Nations, and do NOT have the support of the people of Six Nations.

As for who represents Six Nations let me put it this way: The Mohawk Workers, Women of the Mohawk Nation, the Men’s Fire or individuals like Steven “Boots” Powless or Ruby and Floyd Montour were not elected, appointed or authorized by the people of Six Nations to be their representatives or to speak on their behalf. Nor is the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) supported by the elected council or the community at large. However, it was authorized by the Confederacy council.

Brantford Expositor, letter to editor, Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller, July 14/09: Only elected council can speak for Six Nations  PDF

OPP helps CANACE & Deseronto residents expose Race-Based Policing

Deseronto resident Cindy Welsh tries unsuccessfully to convince Shawn Brant supporters to give Gary McHale a chance to speak.

UPDATE: VoC, July 03/09: Caught on tape: McGuinty cabinet minister insults Deseronto resident

UPDATE JULY 03/09: Napanee Beaver, July 02/09: Raucus meeting defuses with talk  VoC download

UPDATE 2134 EST July 01/09: See, ‘Video of CANACE in Deseronto‘ by Jeff Parkinson for complete coverage in 7 clips. Note: the event was actually held in a Picton park because the town of Deseronto refused to rent resident Cindy Welsh a room where we could speak and the Elks reneged on their rental deal with her.

UPDATE: New story about our visit to Deseronton. See CANACE visits Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, by Jeff Parkinson.

UPDATE: Video added of Mohawks & supporters clapping when Gary McHale talks about attempted murder of police officer in Caledonia. More video clips to follow.
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CANACE was invited to speak by Deseronto resident  Cindy Welsh who rented the Elks Hall in Picton for Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 because the Town of Deseronto refused – again – to allow non-natives access to their hall to discuss their rights during a land claim dispute.

Unfortunately, the OPP had earlier convinced the Elks manager to cancel the room rental which forced us to try to speak outside in a remote park with no police presence whatsoever while a large group of Shawn Brant supporters shouted us down and screamed hateful insults.

It seemed as though some – especially one woman in particular wearing a red shirt (photo, below) – were deliberately trying to provoke some kind of fight. Jeff Parkinson filmed the entire event, and clips will be posted when available.

Monsters in Deseronto-Picton?

At one point some of the group actually applauded when Gary McHale tried to talk about how a police officer was nearly murdered in Caledonia!

• CANACE video, Picton, ON, June 25/09: Mohawks & supporters clap for attempted murder of police officer in Caledonia 00:24
• CWUC blog, Jeff Parkinson, July 01/09: Video of CANACE in Deseronto (complete coverage of the event in 7 clips)

One resident later said, “Believe it or not, this is a GOOD day!”

CANACE meets with the nice officers of the OPP MELT

We met with 2 MELT (Major Events Liaison Team) members at Cindy’s home prior to the event. We tried to let them know that no one had anything to fear from us. Gary even explained how he was opposed by the Crown when he tried to lay charges for assaults against police officers in Caledonia. 

CANACE release: OPP take first steps toward ending Race Based Policing

UPDATED 2050 EST June 13/09

On June 12/09 OPP Sgt. Phil Carter informed CANACE that the OPP was consenting to a planned march by non-natives down Argyle Street past the occupied Douglas Creek Estates with Canadian flags.

•  CANACE news release, June 13/09: OPP take first steps toward ending Race Based Policing [PDF]

Thank you!

Along with every other gutsy Canadian who is making a difference in this struggle (you know you who are!) I would like to give special thanks to Merlyn Kinrade for his tireless work within his beloved community of Caledonia. Thanks also to Pat, Roland, Christine and Debbie. This is your day, too!

• VoiceofCanada, June 13/09: Merlyn Kinrade made them ‘believe’

Comment by CANACE co-founder Jeff Parkinson

• CaledoniaWakeUpCall blog, June 13/09: One small step for Non-Natives, One giant leap for the OPP

Thank you to Sgt. Carter and Commissioner Fantino

I would like to sincerely thank Sgt. Carter and the OPP, including Julian Fantino for making this important change in policy.

Given how involved the Commissioner is in the affairs of Caledonia, especially where Gary McHale and CANACE is involved I know that it would not have been possible were it not for Mr. Fantino’s approval. Whether that approval was a result of Minister directive or one from the Legal Services Branch of the Attorney General, I don’t know and don’t care. The fact is, someone, has directed the OPP to change its policy in a fundamental way.

To Commissioner Fantino:

This was never personal. Even though we protested at your home it was to bring about changes such as this using peaceful, lawful, democratic means rather than the violent/criminal methods of native extremists. 

I can’t speak for Gary McHale, but I am willing to talk with you or your lawyers about moving on to a better time. You can make my defamation lawsuit disappear by clearing my name with an simple apology for falsely accusation me of being ‘involved’ in violence. As you already know I don’t want any money.

You can also make my OHRT complaint disappear simply with an apology and a directive to your officers that they are to enforce the law without regards to race in accordance with the Police Services Act and the Ontario Human Rights Act. Again, you already know I’m not asking for money in connection with this either.

As for the lawsuit regarding my arrest, have your people call my people.

Readers who are skeptical about OPP commitments are asked to please read this post before commenting. Thanks.

• VoiceofCanada, June 13/09: Merlyn Kinrade made them ‘believe’

Join us for the “Support Randy Fleming” rally on June 20th

I certainly hope that now the event has been ‘sanctioned’ by police Canadians from inside and outside Caledonia will come to Caledonia on June 20th to march in support of Randy Fleming. Here are the links in case you missed them in the news release:

•  CANACE news release, June 12/09: “Support Randy Fleming” Rally
• CaledoniaWakeUpCall report: Canadian Flag Raising Event (documents Randy Fleming arrest on May 24/09)

VoiceofCanada
info@voiceofcanada.ca
Co-founder, Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality
www.canace.ca

References

• CANACE news release, June 13/09: OPP take first steps toward ending Race Based Policing
• CaledoniaWakeUpCall blog, June 13/09: One small step for Non-Natives, One giant leap for the OPP
• VoiceofCanada, June 13/09: Merlyn Kinrade made them ‘believe’
• Regional News, May 20/09: OPP: Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words
• CANACE news release, June 12/09: “Support Randy Fleming” Rally
• CaledoniaWakeUpCall report: Canadian Flag Raising Event (documents Randy Fleming arrest on May 24/09)
• VoiceofCanada feature: Caledonia Lawsuits
• VoiceofCanada, June 05/09: Ontario Superior Court: OPP refusal to aid Cayuga land owner an ‘abuse of power and police discretion.’

Caledonia residents give Fantino a ‘razzy’ for Tim Hortons performance

I received two ‘Letters to the Editor’ from Caledonia residents who sent them to media outlets for publication, but have asked us to reprint them. Both women have been very much impacted by the occupation of the Douglas Creek Estates and, apparently, didn’t think much of Fantino’s pathetic PR appearance at a Caledonia Tim Horton’s on March 02/08 while we were protesting at his home in Woodbridge.

Mr. Fantino, this is not a game
by Pauline McDougall

To: Christina Blizzard
Subject: Concerned Citizen

Hi Christina,

Just read your article about property in Caledonia. Great article [reprint]. Thanks for keeping our town in the papers. I’m writing to tell you that we are also stuck in the middle of this mess and hostage taking.

Caledonia resident to Fantino: “Oh please.”

Kudos to Karen Sorrell of Caledonia for putting Julian Fantino in his place with an absolutely brilliant letter to the editor published in today’s Hamilton Spectator. She was responding to Fantino’s silly and irrational attempt to blame Caledonia residents for the violence committed against peaceful non-native protestors one week ago (Dec 03/07).

Let’s remember Jack tomorrow

Holocaust Education Week is almost over and Remembrance Day is upon us. It seems sad, yet telling that OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino chose this week – of all weeks – to once again publicly disparage Gary McHale for exposing and opposing the many injustices suffered by innocent people in Caledonia.

BULLETIN: Reinforcements arrive at Caledonia frontlines on D-Day!

Dear friends, supporters and victims of the awful struggle against Two Tier Justice in Ontario,

I have just called Mary-Lou LaPratte to advise her that the ‘Battle for Truth’ has been won today.

$12M lawsuit: Mary-Lou LaPratte comments on “astonishing” comparisons to Ipperwash

Mary-Lou LaPratte has spent the last 15 years of her life trying to tell the true story of what happened in Ipperwash to innocent residents. She was a guest speaker at the inaugural March for Freedom last Oct 15/06, and everyone who is fortunate enough to know her knows just how much her heart aches for the people of Caledonia, and their needless suffering.

Resolution 863-07: Haldimand’s attack on your privacy

In Democracy takes a huge hit in Haldimand, I outlined the sleazy attack on Haldimand Mayor Trainer’s privacy by her council, and how, on Aug 13/07, they approved a resolution calling for all mail – electronic and hard copy – to the Mayor to be shared with the Chief Administrative Officer. This resolution has now removed any privacy between the Mayor and her constituents. 

Dear Mayor Trainer…

UPDATE 1544 Aug 21/07: See Resolution 863-07: Haldimand’s attack on your privacy for wording of the resolution passed by council.
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After witnessing the shameful events of the past week culiminating in the vote last night at the Haldimand County council meeting (see ‘Democracy takes a huge hit in Haldimand’, and BULLETIN: Mayor Trainer needs your help NOW!), I sent the message below to Mayor Trainer.

I welcome your comments in support of the mayor. I’ll wait a few days and then mail her – and the snoops now reading her mail – a hard copy of this post with your comments.

Truth emerges as Ipperwash Papers go ‘main stream’

UPDATED 2134 EST Oct 26/08

UPDATE 1109 EST June 25/07: In the original draft of this story I singled out veteran broadcast journalist Doug Aldridge (killed in car crash April 15/08) of The Right Side as being a notable exception to the media’s deafening silence regarding The Ipperwash Papers. Unfortunately, the paragraph was deleted when this article was posted. My profuse apologies to Doug, especially considering he was the first journalist to interview me regarding about The Ipperwash Papers, and has done 3 interviews about the story!
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“In a time of universal deceipt, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

George Orwell 

On March 14, 2007 I went to Queen’s Park with Gary McHale and Mary-Lou LaPratte to release The Ipperwash Papers; 400+ pages of documents ‘overlooked’ by the official Ipperwash Inquiry that show how residents themselves and the evidence of their suffering at the hands of native crime during an invalid land claim were deliberately excluded from the Inquiry. 

‘The Strength of a Woman’ – Mary-Lou LaPratte, Ipperwash hero

UPDATE June 22/07: Mary-Lou LaPratte and Ipperwash finally had their stories told by a main-stream media outlet, the Western Standard magazine. See, Truth emerges as Ipperwash Papers go ‘main stream.’

This is the third in VoiceofCanada’s “The Strength of a Woman’ series of articles designed to honour the women who have both inspired and shamed us with their courage during the struggle against Two Tier Justice in Ontario. The title was inspired by Robin McGraw, wife of TV’s Dr. Phil – see ‘The Strength of a Woman’ – Lisa Parent.

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If there is a hero to be found in the Ipperwash story, it is a remarkable woman by the name of Mary-Lou LaPratte. She lived through it all: crime and intimidation from natives over an invalid land claim against her home and those of her fellow residents; an eventual Supreme Court victory; threats; a home invasion; an assault; ongoing OPP refusal to enforce the law; DND failure to enforce the law; abandonment by the OPP when they fled Ipperwash to save themselves after the death of Dudley George, and psychological trauma so acute during the events of September 1995 that her hair fell out in chunks.