Block Aid

I was astonished to learn that the Native blockade in Caledonia, Ontario had entered its 60th day last week. The blockade must have been up for 30 days before anybody in the media noticed. Nevertheless, the protesters from Six Nations have shown great patience and conviction in their cause. They are currently protesting the construction of 250 houses in an area they consider sacred land. [What part of this country isn’t sacred to native people?] Since governments and developers have shortchanged aboriginal peoples in this country, blockades are erected as a symbolic form of protest.

When it comes to the definitive blockade, nothing beats the actions of farmers. Last Monday, farmers drove a long line of their tractors directly in front of the Canadian Prime Minister’s house. They stopped traffic, disrupted the PM’s schedule and made the front page of every newspaper West of Ontario. They were reminding the PM and the government that they needed more financial aid, just in time for the May 2 Federal budget. Farmers have traditionally protested in this manner because it’s simple and distinguishable on the horizon. No image of peaceful protest is better than the long line of red harvesters and green tractors moving slowly along the highway.

In Caledonia, an anti-blockade protest came to a head with 500 people marching on the highway. In a bizarre twist of allegiance, a police car was damaged and one arrest made. Perhaps that person should mix his politics with root beer instead of Molson’s.

The good news is that the great Canadian compromise of negotiating a settlement is continuing. And that’s what most protests are all about: a desire to be included in the decision-making process. The question is whether a consensus will be reached in Caledonia. It all depends on who has the biggest and hardest head.

That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.