Starla Antone

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Crooks Hollow is Located in what is now called Dundas

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The recorded terms of negotiations and common understandings were much different pre-contact; as Onkwehonwe and settler relationship evolved, so did the record keeping. Consequently, communication would have been difficult during those early and quite often misunderstood conversations.

Reliance on the written words, the intent and promises behind historical agreements have become a mainstay in land reclamations coast to coast. However, it’s important to note that frequently, agreements were ratified without any consensus-building, leading to internal disagreements.

Tragic Plight of The Six Nations Iroquois Indians is a compendium of letters, Agreements and complaints launched by some pivotal and influential people in Rotinonhsyonni modern history. It includes text from the originals of The Haldimand Pledge, The Haldimand Proclamation and the Simcoe Deed.

Indian affairs thoroughly involved themselves in our matters. They made every effort to “sever” our nation’s relationship with each other and have led to the ideation of “Private property Ownership” over collective landholdings.

We are not just at the Grand River. We have many distinct Rotinonsyonni communities in Canada and the USA that form our League of Nations, some not formally recognized by Indian Affairs. When we consider the time and effort it took and takes to arrive at Consensus, it makes more sense to see why Canada forced smaller band councils to speak for the Onkwehonwe and continue with land disposal

We are still here, and this is just one document that can lead you to a better understanding of Our History.

We have a responsibility to our collective existence and those of our nations.

What do you think?

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The statue of Joseph Brant In Brantford, Ontario, sat heavily guarded over the summer after discovering the bodies of residential school students throughout Canada. The figure was given an orange glow and gated off except for a monitored entrance.

Warriors on the Base

Justine Vanevery of Six Nations had heard the story from a friend who heard it from a gentleman who restored the statue at some point. She shared that her friend told her about the figure being a vault and holding papers of interest to the Six Nations.

The story had equal parts mystery and equal parts adventure but was it true?

A letter by the Indian affairs Registrar dated November 26/1935, confirms that a copy of the Haldimand proclamation and Simcoe Deed are both hidden within the memorial.

The entire statue stands 9 ft tall on a base of granite. That’s a vast space for just a few pieces of paper.

I wonder what else is in there?

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Brantford October 12/2021

Arrowdale Public Golf Course has seen its 4th day of its peaceful occupation. That was until approximately 2:30 pm when the city’s hired private security completely blocked the driveway after several supporters left. Witnesses felt this was a direct act of aggression to garner a negative response from the peaceful occupiers.

It came as no surprise when the City of Brantford released a statement with a deliberately false narrative just an hour later.

Yakowennahskats

A small, well-controlled fire was the next point of discontent addressed when the Brantford Fire department attended the golf course with a notice of “Open Air Burning response” and advised that the city believes they own the property and the buildings that sit on it.

A city employee attended almost immediately after the fire trucks left to lend support to their hired security but declined to comment on the misleading media release.

Police contacted by police liaison due to an escalation of a pattern of behaviour demonstrated by the accumulation of incidents in a short period. Attending police officers were collegial and acknowledged concerns of the occupants of the course.

Yakowennahskats

Although the hired security declined to comment on the coincidental arrival of the fire department, They did admit to police that the directive to block the driveway came directly from the city.

After 4 days, You would think city officials would have had time to formulate a better response.

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English Version

The People

Today we have gathered, and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plantlife. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honour and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honoured by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees that have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face, we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Six Nations Indian Museum Tracking Project. Tree of Peace Society

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October 9, 2021

Brantford, Ontario.

The ongoing land disposal by the City of Brantford to Land developers had another curve ball thrown into the mix this weekend when Several Onkwehonwe stepped in on Saturday to let the City know “Arrowdale is not for sale”

Brantford City Park Vision

This action is on the heels of Brantford City council ignoring recent calls for moratoriums on development and continued to consider the nine bids for their future park. The “Yellow Shirt Crew” gathered today once again to protest the lack of consultation and meaningful dialogue. In the meantime a Oneida Nation member parked their truck in the laneway and decided it wasnt going to move.

Warm Welcome

Onkwehonwe were greeted warmly by Save Arrowdale Supporters as they verbalized their frustration and sharing their often one sided interactions with the city and its councellors. Some suggesting that questionable tactics took place when legal appeals were prematurely dismissed through the court system.

Stage 2 Archological assessment completed without complying with “Duty to Consult” confirms what we already know

Stage One and Two archeological reports are conducive with what Onkwehonwe have been saying about the area and how it was used. George Powlis (Powless) was arrested for Murder in 1839 and was convicted with little evidence and the charges were later dismissed, The event took place on Vineger Hill and the body of the victim was also located near by, Arrowdale sits on part of this old village.

Whats Next

The Onkwehonwe present today emphasized the peaceful nature of their occupation but also were quick to remind Brantford Police that Onkwehonwe have always maintained peaceful relationships until met with colonial violence.

Yakowennaskats

All posts by Starla Antone

Take a Hike and Take in some History

The Pledge, Proclamation and a Deed: Examining Grand River History through archives

Stash In the Statue

A Pattern of Behaviour

Thanks Given Everyday

Arrowdale Is Not For Sale Say Onkwehonwe

Warm Welcome

Whats Next

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