Six Nations (Caledonia) Negotiations

Frequently Asked Questions

Select a heading below to view the answers to questions listed under that heading.

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Status of Negotiations

What is the status of the negotiations?

May 30, 2007:  The federal government offered $125 million to the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations to settle four of their twenty-eight claims.  Discussions concerning the federal offer are ongoing.

May 14, 2007: Ontario appointed Murray Coolican as the new provincial Principal Representative to the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario negotiations.  The appointment of Mr. Coolican reflects the province’s evolving role at the negotiation table towards a more technical supporting role to the federal government in resolving Six Nations’ grievances.

March 29, 2007:  The Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada announced an expanded mandate for its federal negotiator to allow more flexibility in moving Six Nations’ claims forward.

The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario negotiations are ongoing and meetings take place on a regular basis.

What progress has been made at the Main Table?

Since May 2006, there have been regular Main Negotiation Table meetings and many Side Table meetings. The four Side Tables were created to expedite the process.

Side Tables:

• Lands Resolution Side Table, discusses options for resolution of the issues Six Nations land claims;
• Consultation Issues Side Table, addresses consultation issues such as development in the Haldimand Tract and how this development may  impact on Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Aboriginal and treaty rights;
• Archaeology and Appearance Side Table, determines whether human remains exist on the Douglas Creek lands, undertakes work pertaining to erosion control, house demolition and other matters related to the Douglas Creek lands; and
• Public Awareness and Education Side Table, develops educational, promotional and public awareness strategies regarding Haudenosaunee traditions, languages, history and culture.

Why can’t the municipality and/or the people of Caledonia be represented at the negotiating table?

The negotiations are about the resolution of Six Nations’ grievances with the federal government. They are conducted on a confidential basis to promote a more effective resolution process.  However, from time to time the parties at the main table may seek to have input from municipalities that have a direct interest in the claim resolution process.  In the meantime, the province and federal government will continue to work closely with Haldimand County through the Municipal Provincial Federal Liaison Committee, which meets bimonthly in Caledonia.  Negotiators also meet as needed with municipal staff and elected representatives.

Why are the negotiations confidential?

Ontario is committed to keeping the negotiations confidential so that the parties can share their concerns and discuss options for resolution freely as they work towards consensus and resolution.

Ontario is at the table to support these ongoing negotiations and continues to be committed to a peaceful, negotiated settlement of all outstanding grievances.

How much time does Ontario spend on these negotiations?

While the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Main Negotiation Table meets every two weeks, representatives of each party are engaged in negotiations at the four side tables (Lands Resolution, Archaeology and Appearance of Douglas Creek Estates, Public Awareness and Education, and Consultation). In an average week, Ontario negotiators attend four meetings in connection with the negotiations.

Can the provincial government demonstrate it is making its best efforts to resolve the Douglas Creek Estates land dispute?

Since the beginning of the protest at Douglas Creek Estates property, Ontario has been working hard with representatives of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, the federal government, municipal officials and members of the community to resolve matters under dispute. 

These negotiations are very complex.  Six Nations has many claims that need to be addressed in a way that respects the legitimate interests of all the parties.

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Protest on Douglas Creek Estates Lands

Are the protestors going to be removed from the Douglas Creek property?

The Ontario government strongly believes negotiations are the best option for a peaceful resolution to the situation in Caledonia.

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Ontario's Role

Is this a provincial or federal matter?

Although primarily a federal matter, some of Six Nations claims are against both Canada and Ontario.

What is Ontario’s role in the negotiations between the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, Canada and Ontario?

Ontario’s role in the negotiations between the Haudenosaunee/Six Nation, Canada and Ontario is to support Canada to resolve the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations grievances in a way that benefits the members of all the communities involved.

What is Ontario doing to resolve the situation in Caledonia?

By purchasing the Douglas Creek Estates property, Ontario set the stage to negotiate a resolution to the Six Nations’ grievances.  The developers were fairly compensated.

The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario negotiations are ongoing and meetings continue to take place on a regular basis.

Progress has been made in addressing issues related to the Douglas Creek Estates property. Thanks to the cooperation of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, there has been a significant reduction in the number of protestors on site.

Ontario has also provided financial assistance to local residents and businesses affected by the protest, including funding a local marketing program.

Ontario is working with representatives of the federal government, Six Nations leadership, municipal officials and members of the community to resolve matters under dispute.

These negotiations are complex.  Ontario’s role is to continue to support these ongoing negotiations.  The province continues to be committed to a peaceful, negotiated settlement of all outstanding grievances.

What resources is the government devoting to address the situation in Caledonia?

The Main Negotiation Table includes representatives from the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, Canada and Ontario who have committed significant resources to bring about a peaceful resolution to the dispute. The Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs has a satellite office in Brantford to support the provincial negotiators and staff.

Ontario has also contributed financial assistance to businesses and residents affected by the dispute. For more information, see Funding and Assistance FAQs below.

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Six Nations Claims

Who are the Six Nations?

The Six Nations of the Grand River is the community located on the Grand River with whom Canada and Ontario are negotiating with respect to a number of issues including those arising out of the Caledonia situation. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the American War of Independence, some of the people of the Iroquois Confederacy who were allies of the British Crown – composed of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and later, Tuscarora Nations – relocated from their homeland in the Finger Lakes region of New York state to settle along the Grand River. For more information, visit www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2006/snjsbk_e.html.

Had a land claim been submitted before the protest at the Douglas Creek Estates property?

Between 1976 and 1994, Six Nations filed 29 claims with Canada. One claim has been settled by Canada. In 1994, Six Nations, represented by the Elected Council, brought a claim in court against Canada and Ontario for an accounting of all the transactions involving Six Nations lands and the proceeds of their disposition. This litigation encompasses at least 14 of the claims that were submitted to Canada.

Is there a claim against the Douglas Creek Estates property?

The Douglas Creek Estates property in Caledonia is a part of one of the 14 claims in the litigation.

Will Ontario expropriate property to settle the Six Nations' claim?

Ontario's policy is not to expropriate private property to settle land claims.

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Funding & Assistance

What is Ontario doing to help homeowners in Caledonia who have been affected by the land dispute in Caledonia?

The Government of Ontario has provided one-time financial assistance to residents of Caledonia who have been most directly impacted by the former road blockades and the continuing presence of protesters at the Douglas Creek lands.  Financial assistance to affected residents is as follows:

• $6,000 each for approximately 20 homes in Area 1A, considered to be the most impacted area. These are households on both sides of 6th Line between Argyle Street South and Oneida Road; the east side of Oneida Road between 6th Line and Sterling Street; Sterling Street between the rail line and Oneida Road; and both sides of Argyle Street South, south of the location of the former road block and Highway 6. 
• $3,000 each for approximately 80 homes in Area 1B, considered to be a very impacted area. These are households abutting the Southern Ontario Railway corridor on MacCrae Drive and Braemar Avenue; households on Thistlemoor Drive abutting the Douglas Creek lands and two residences on Thistlemoor backing on to the Notre Dame school; and households on the west side of Argyle Street South between Celtic Drive and the area north of the former road block.
• $2,000 each for approximately 35 households in Area 1C, across the street, on Thistlemoor Drive and Braemar Avenue.

How many households have been provided assistance to date?

As of June 25, 2007, there have been 134 applicants who have received financial assistance under this program.

As of May 16, 2007, 131 cheques have been authorized under the program.

How was financial assistance for affected households determined?

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) contacted those residents in closest proximity to the Douglas Creek lands through one-on-one in person or telephone interviews. In addition, MMAH received input from Haldimand County through the Municipal Provincial Federal Liaison Committee.

The Ministry obtained the assistance of the Caledonia Community Committee to work independently, as community representatives, to provide confidential advice to government on the design and delivery of the assistance. The Committee provided its advice to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

What is the Caledonia Community Committee?

The government sought input from the community in Caledonia on how to provide financial assistance to those households most directly affected by the land dispute in Caledonia. The Caledonia Community Committee had representation from the community to provide confidential advice on a financial assistance program for the residents.

How can people find out more about assistance for residents?

Residents may call the Infoline: 905-765-1897 or 1-866-876-7672;
TTY 1-800-387-5559, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page4545.aspx

What is Ontario doing to help businesses in Caledonia affected by the land dispute?

• A financial assistance recovery program was provided to businesses in the Caledonia-Hagersville-Highway 6 areas that suffered losses from disruptions caused by the road blockades. The program, which ended August 18, 2006, provided close to $1.4 million in assistance to Caledonia and area businesses.
• The province also provided Haldimand County with $410,000 in marketing support for local businesses. An additional $90,000 was provided to Haldimand County to develop a comprehensive industrial marketing strategy.
• A further $21,000 was provided to help youth service groups affected by lower than expected business contributions.

This brings the total value of economic assistance to Caledonia and area has been over $2 million.

For more information on the financial assistance recovery program, visit www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/page.do?page=5972.

Will the province assist the families that bought homes on the Douglas Creek Estates property?

It is the province's understanding that 10 homebuyers had signed agreements of purchase and sale with builders on the Douglas Creek Estates property, and that all 10 homebuyers have received refunds from the builders. 

The province has also provided financial assistance, for up to $5,000 worth of receipts, for each of the purchasers of Douglas Creek Estates properties to cover extraordinary costs between the time they knew they would not be finalizing a real estate transaction in Douglas Creek to finalizing alternate living arrangements.

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Burtch Property

Why is Ontario planning to transfer ownership of the Burtch property to the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations?

In April 2006, Ontario agreed that the former provincial correctional centre, known as the Burtch property, would be transferred to the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, as part of the settlement of Six Nations’ grievances.  The Haudenosaunee/Six Nations had previously expressed an interest in acquiring this particular property.  Transferring this land to the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations is a step towards a peaceful settlement of their outstanding grievances.

When title to the Burtch property is transferred to the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, what will the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations use the property for?

The future use of the land has not yet been determined.

Will the Burtch property become part of the Six Nations’ reserve?

The future status of the land continues to be discussed.

Will the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations be given any other lands by the province?

The longer-term discussions with the Six Nations concerning their claims and other issues are ongoing.  It is premature to speculate how these issues will be resolved.

When will the Burtch Property be transferred?

The usual due diligence involved in any provincial conveyance of land, such environmental assessments needs to be completed.

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Douglas Creek Estates

Why has Ontario purchased the Douglas Creek Estates property?

Purchasing the property from the developers responded to developers' needs and concerns, and allowed flexibility for determining the future use of the land through negotiations.

By purchasing the Douglas Creek Estates property, Ontario set the stage for constructive discussions at the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations-Canada-Ontario Main Negotiation Table and for the resolution of longer-term issues related to Six Nations claims.

What is the province´s future plans for the site?

No further decisions about the property or the ownership and use of the land have been made.

If Ontario does not expropriate property to settle land claims, why did the province purchase the Douglas Creek Estates property?

Ontario did not expropriate the Douglas Creek Estates property. Ontario bought the property on a willing buyer / willing seller basis.

Is there a claim against the Douglas Creek Estates property?

The Douglas Creek Estates property in Caledonia is a part of one of the at least 14 claims in the litigation.

How much did the province pay in total to buy the Douglas Creek Estates lands?

In total, the province paid the developer and the builders $21.1 million to acquire the Douglas Creek Estates lands, plus an additional $1.64 million in interim assistance.  On March 29, 2007, the federal government contributed a $15.8 million payment towards Ontario’s acquisition of the Douglas Creek Estates property.

Why is water and power still being supplied to the site? And, who is paying for this?

Phase 1 of the proposed Douglas Creek Estates was already serviced with water and hydro as it was under construction. For safety and health reasons, the province has kept the power and water working on the property for several months. 

The utility bills are currently being sent to the Ontario Realty Corporation, as the property manager. Ontario Realty Corporation is, in turn, sending invoices to Six Nations Band Council for reimbursement.

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Other Land Claims

What and where are the other active land claims in Ontario?

There are 13 claims currently under negotiation in Ontario, including Six Nations. Others include: the Algonquin, Missanabie Cree, Stanjikoming, Pic Mobert, Pays Plat, Rocky Bay and Temagami land claims, the Mississauga #8, Fort William, Wasauksing and Michipicoten boundary claims and the Wabigoon flooding claim.

In addition to these active claims, six final agreements are being implemented (Manitoulin, Wahta Mohawks, Tyendinaga, Lake Nipigon Ojibway, Rainy River and Sand Point) and nine final settlement agreements have been fully implemented by Ontario (Assabaska, Big Grassy, Thessalon, Whitefish River, Brunswick House, Nipissing, Wikwemikong, Garden River and Mississauga).

Approximately 56 land claims are under review to determine whether or not there is a basis for Ontario to enter into a settlement negotiation.

For more information about other land claims in Ontario, see www.aboriginalaffairs.osaa.gov.on.ca/english/negotiate/negotiate.htm.

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