After three Native activists came to Centre Wellington on July 17 to inform residents “we’re watching,” Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj was puzzled by their message.
Floyd and Ruby Montour, along with another Native who provided only the name Clive, came to the township to warn that Natives are watching development practices in Wellington County.
Ruby Montour said of her visit “We’re informing them. They already know they are on our land. They have to come and consult with Six Nations. The [federal] government is saying it … and [the municipality] don’t.”
Clive said the Six Nations claim ownership of six nautical miles of land on either side of the Grand River, from Dundalk to Lake Erie.
Ruby Montour said the township should stop development.
“They should be protecting our land. They’re charging taxes on our land … It’s time for this to stop,” she said.
Ross-Zuj said the visit was “a complete surprise.”
She said it was especially so since Centre Wellington Township has been consulting with Six Nations over developing issues for the past year and relations have been very cordial.
The Montours and Clive said they represent no one but themselves. Ross-Zuj said council is dealing with the elected council of Six Nations.
She said the talks began when the township wanted to replace a bridge over the Grand River on the 8th Line of Pilkington.
The township hired consultant Jeremy Shute, who has dealt with Six Nations on various matters for many years.
Ross-Zuj said the Six Nations elected council has been impressed with the township’s official plan, and with its water quality protection measures.
Further, while Clive and the Montours are protesting development of farmlands, Ross-Zuj said the township’s official plan was approved years ago, with areas designated for growth – and those have not been changed or expanded.
“We are setting an exemplary example of good environmental practice,” she said, adding of the sudden appearance of the Montours, “I don’t know where this is coming from.”
Clive said in an interview he has lived in Fergus for several months, and has kept the Montours abreast of development issues.
He noted there are several stalled developments, but there is an official plan amendment being considered by the county to place lands for development on the north side of Garafraxa Street, east of Gartshore.
Ross-Zuj said the township has received a “protocol from Six Nations, how they would like us to approach the duty of consultation.”
Ross-Zuj added many people were upset when they learned of the visit of the Natives, who waved flags at the development site.
The problem for the township and other elected bodies is there are other groups of Natives who ignore their elected councils and operate on their own.
Clive said that he is 66, but he is still a warrior, with a warrior’s duties – and that includes protecting the land.
But he was unaware the township had consulted with the elected Six Nations band council over the bridge for nearly a year. When informed of that, he said he is concerned with undeveloped lands.
Ross-Zuj said the visit, “is not to be taken lightly.”
A search of the internet reveals the Montours have interfered with developers in the past.
Ross-Zuj said if there are individuals who simply want information, they can contact the municipality.
“That would be the way to find out – instead of coming and waving a flag,” she said.
