SIX NATIONS — In a statement the Six Nations Elected Council says they will be working with the city of Brantford and Mayor Kevin Davis to enforce safety of a property within Brantford’s city limits that belongs to Six Nations.
The Glebe lands are a parcel of land beside Mohawk Park and behind the Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School which was originally farmland associated with the former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School.
The property is now part of the lands that the Six Nations Survivors Secretariat says needs to be searched for unmarked graves associated with the Mohawk Institute.
On November 2, former elected Chief Mark Hill attended the Glebe lands to inform squatters living on the site that they had 14 days to leave the property.
TRT was present during the visit. A video showing the trespassing notices being distributed by former Chief Hill and Councillor Greg Frazer was posted to TikTok and has seen nearly 27,000 views to date.
Now, the elected council says that Six Nations and Brantford are working with local law enforcement to secure the property.
During his visit former Chief Hill said the council received reports that there was human trafficking and drug abuse connected to the squatters camps – details that fuelled the council’s decision to issue the trespassing notices and pursue the removal of squatters immediately from the Glebe.
“SNGR has not authorized occupancy on the Glebe Lands in Brantford,” said the statement.
“SNGREC and Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill attended the site and informed those currently on our land that they are requested to leave immediately to respect the sovereignty and rights of our Six Nations community.”
The council says they will be working with the City of Brantford, Mayor Kevin Davis, and local law enforcement to ensure the property is safe and squatters leave.
“Six Nations expects a collaborative effort between Six Nations Police (SNPS) and Brantford Police to bring about a peaceful resolution that upholds the integrity of Six Nations jurisdiction,” said the statement.”
“The people unlawfully on our Territory need to respect our land, and all Canadian, Ontarian, and municipal law enforcement officials must put an end to any crime reported to be occurring in the area. Neither Six Nations nor the community in Brantford can tolerate conditions that can lead to grave crimes like human trafficking.”
The council says they reached out to the three self-identified Six Nations band members that were living at the site and distributed support information for those in need.
The squatters camping site included approximately 18 camper trailers and about 6 tents.
Non-Six Nations band members living on site were encouraged to reach out to the City of Brantford for assistance.
“As Chief Mark Hill pointed out, the occupying of the Glebe Lands has gone on for quite some time and we want to put a stop to this,” Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill said. “We are encouraging a safe and immediate solution and are working in co-operation with the City of Brantford to make this happen. Over the next week or so, we will be following up on site to see the progress.”
