Fontaine answers critics of reserve creation

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A long-awaited visit by National Chief Phil Fontaine to the Caldwell First Nation's territory culminated in a public display of support for the proposed creation of a Caldwell reserve in southwestern Ontario. Sponsored by the Friends of Caldwell, the meeting attracted some 200 supporters, 50 per cent of which were non-Native, to hear the national chief speak at the Union Gas Educational Centre in Chatham on May 28. Chief Fontaine was accompanied to the event by Chief Larry Johnson of the Caldwell First Nation, and Del Riley of the Department of Indian Affairs Ontario region's southern First Nations secretariat.

In his 50-minute address, interrupted several times by applause, Chief Fontaine spoke about the need to lend support to the Caldwell First Nation's land claim and "to do the right thing in righting a 200-year-old wrong."

"We stand poised on the verge of a very special moment in history," he declared, "the moment when 200 years of efforts to create a land base for the Caldwell First Nation will be realized."

He countered the critics of the land claim process, cautioning that they should be careful before criticizing and to understand where the First Nations are coming from in terms of human rights and the importance of land to the First Peoples.

"What we are seeking is what rightfully belongs to our people. What we are not trying to do is dispossess and displace others," he explained. "All we are seeking is our fair share, no more, no less, while at the same time respecting the rights and interests of others."

He quoted research by historian John Holmes who determined that "the Caldwells were not signatories to the 1790 treaty that gave up land in this area. Therefore, the Caldwell First Nation has ceded nothing and can claim Aboriginal title."

Further, the British Crown promised land to the Caldwells in return for their loyalty in the War of 1812. Citing these reasons, Chief Fontaine asked: "Why has it taken so long for a land base to be (established)?"

Those who would deny the legal and moral obligations to create the reserve for the Caldwells, he said, are employing a familiar technique.

"Denial is the central feature and most commonly used technique of the right-wing backlash to human rights. If you deny that racism or human rights violations exist, you don't have to take responsibility for them," he explained.

Another form of backlash is negative stereotyping. This expresses itself as a fear that a negative impact would be caused by a reserve, and is the result of a lack of knowledge, he stated. This fear can be eliminated with public education and understanding. In this regard, Chief Fontaine commended the Friends of Caldwell group who have interacted with local leaders and politicians in the south Chatham-Kent area, with the aim of promoting a common understanding with their First Nations neighbors.

An important contribution by the Caldwell First Nation has been its demonstrated willingness to live as good neighbors and citizens. An information presentation they made to the Southern Ontario Liberal Party caucus was well received. As a sign of goodwill, they said they intend to develop a drainage policy that will mesh with the Ontario Drainage Act. And, to allay negative stereotyping fears, the economic impact of the reserve creation is being studied by the Caldwells and Harvard University development experts.

Chief Fontaine stressed the importance of everyone being sensitive of the fact that any settlement compensation coming to the Caldwells would immediately leave them in a position to purchase land, and that would revitalize the economy of the region. Further compensation would be absorbed into the outside community for the purchase of goods and services not available in the Native community. This kind of economic understanding is important in establishing good relations between communities, he noted.

Caldwell Chief Larry Johnson said the night was made a success by people who've worked together by people who have good intentions in mind.

"This was a good thing for the entire Chatham-Kent community, as well as us."

He was pleased to see area First Nations communities represented along with their chiefs, as well as the Chatham Chief of Police.

Angela Gamba, of the Friends of Caldwell group, said they wanted to show the Caldwells there are people in Chatham who aren't opposed to being their neighbors.

"There were a lot of familiar faces here and a lot of new faces," she observed. "I was truly inspired by what Phil said, in seeing the good and not focusing on the bad."