By Lynda Powless and Ozman Omar
Writers
TORONTO, ONT- A group of Six Nations Confederacy supporters told about 40 Ontario First Nations band leaders in a conference here last week that “the Indian Act Band Council has no authority” to speak on land or treaty relationships of the Haudenosaunee.
The group, led by Seneca Benchwarmer Butch Thomas descended on the “Sharing Our Lands,” conference sponsored by the Six Nations Band Council and Ontario last Wednesday. The conference was called to discuss among other items land claims, treaties and overlapping rights and interests. Seneca benchwarmer Butch Thomas told the meeting the Haudenosaunne recognize they have an ongoing relationship with other indigenous nations through treaties. “This letter is to clearly and unequivocally declare that the Indian Act Band Council has no authority to speak to matters with respect to the land and treaty relationships of the Haudenosaunee.” The letter said, “The Indian Act Council does not have the authority to discuss, negotiate, or engage in consultation or accommodation or reconciliation on behalf of the Haudenosaunee, or what is commonly referred to as the Six Nations.” The letter listed the Haudenosaunee Land Rights Principles, the Confederacy says it is attempting to resolve through negotiation processes. The letter lists, land and treaties and says they are seeking an accounting for the Crown's dealing with Six Nations’ lands, the return of lands, an accounting for the funds administered or held by the Crown for the Six Nations people, and restitution of any funds unaccounted for. The same list can be found on land claim material distributed by the Six Nations Band Council and sent to municipalities within the Haldimand Proclamation treaty area that extends from Dundalk, Ontario to Lake Erie. Phil Monture, Six Nations Band Council former lands resource director attended the meeting. Monture had worked with Confederacy Council during land rights negotiations before leaving the talks to work with the band. He said in his experience he didn’t feel Thomas cooperated with people and alienated other members of First Nations.
Butch Thomas told the meeting the Haudenosaunne recognize they have an ongoing relationship with other indigenous nations through treaties. “This letter is to clearly and unequivocally declare that the Indian Act Band Council has no authority to speak to matters with respect to the land and treaty relationships of the Haudenosaunee.” The letter said, “The Indian Act Council does not have the authority to discuss, negotiate, or engage in consultation or accommodation or reconciliation on behalf of the Haudenosaunee, or what is commonly referred to as the Six Nations.”
