Six Nations to halt rent and loan payments, waive water delivery fees

OHSWEKEN – Six Nations of the Grand River is waiving Council collected rent and loan payments up to April 30 to provide some financial relief to residents in the midst of the pandemic coronavirus outbreak.

In an interview with local radio station CKRZ-FM Chief Mark Hill made the announcement, saying Six Nations is phasing in restricted access to the territory.

“We understand fully that this temporary way of life is tough and that there are financial concerns for many households. It is with this in mind that council has actioned motions aimed at providing some relief for Six Nations members at this time. Let’s be clear that these decisions come at the financial cost of Six Nations of the Grand River,” said Chief Hill.

Also effective immediately, Hill said SNGR has waived fees for water fill stations and septic services. They have waived water hauling fees through local delivery trucks Wilson Water and ASAP Water Haulage.

“Actions will be reassessed to determine if additional action is required,” said Hill.

Yesterday Hill announced the community would be restricting access to the community in order to reduce the possibility of local community transmission on Six Nations.

Hill said that training for frontline workers involved in that work will begin today and Sunday with construction on blockades to the community’s entryways beginning March 30. Full restriction to the community is expected to be in place by Tuesday, March 31.

Hill confirmed that the plan of action will be to close several entryways to the community and restrict flow of traffic on and off the territory through specific intersections. Information on those location would be available as early as this evening, Hill said.

Hill addressed the variety of community reaction to the decision by SNGR.

“This is not about putting up barricades in our community. We are not doing this. We are putting in measures to restrict the flow of traffic coming into our territory. We do not know if visitors coming onto the territory are infected and we need to take these restrictive measures to prevent the spread within Six Nations,” said Chief Hill

“The last thing that we want is to incite fear. The last thing that we want is to damage any potential relationships with our neighbouring communities. I think that’s an important thing to mention,” said Chief Hill. “We have to do what is in our best interests, as to what we’re seeing across the world.”

“It’s been difficult to go and see some of the comments that are going on across social media, however, please keep in mind this is what we’re doing in order to protect our people. I think that is what has to be the main focus at this point. Keeping in mind that we are here to support businesses. It’s not like we’re here to dictate or try to even look like a dictator. It’s looking to be as a protection of our people and I think that is what leadership has to do.”

Hill also shared that there is a call out for people with medical training to volunteer and that several medical job postings have been made that need to be filled immediately. Those postings are on the Six Nations of the Grand River website.