Caledonian Crisis

The Indian War Chiefs sat stoically as they pondered the implications of what they were about to do. No longer would they let the white man impede upon there lifestyle. "We must fight!" One chief exclaimed, most nodded their agreement. "We shall drive the white settlers from there homes, burning and pillaging!" More people nodded their heads, "When they see that we are fearsome warriors, they will leave and never return!" The Chiefs were decided, it was time to fight. They all rose and headed out of the building, one yelled, "Hey, Jerry TwoFeathers, don't forget to turn out the lights." Another remarked, "Lets take my truck, there is room for all of us."

This isn't some twisted Dan Brown story, this is real life. I understand that with a name like Caledonia, and in Canada to boot, the story is less than plausible. I assure you that this really occurred and has yet to be settled. My good friend Des turned me onto this story yesterday. A revolt in Canada, so bad that the police will not even protect it's own citizens. Now I don't think that police should be held responsible for your own personal protection, and U.S. courts feel the same way. But what do you do in Canada? A place where people do not have the right to self defense. A place where gun ownership is severely restricted and to defend yourself with one would bring untold scrutiny to you and your loved ones.

What started all of this? It appears that the natives (they really call them that in Canada, what happened to PC?) sold off some of their land to the government in 1841, with the understanding that the profit would be invested by the Crown for the Six Nations. Jump ahead to 2006, and the land is sold, by the Crown, to a development firm, who promptly build a housing division on it. The Six Nations go into an uproar and say that they land was only leased to the government. It all goes before a judge who sides with the development company. Needless to say, the Indians go on the war path. They blockade streets, burn down bridges, rob peoples homes, beat up innocent people, generally riot and cause as much discontent as possible. The police do nothing to protect the innocent, except charging them with crimes. David Brown may have acted out of line, but what he did was in reaction to the criminal acts taking place against his home and his family. Yet the government decides not to pursue the true criminals, Indians, scoundrels, ruffians, terrorists that have caused all of the problems.

From wikipedia:
Since the occupation began, many Caledonia residents have complained that they have been subject to threats and violence from Native protesters and that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) failed to take any action to protect them. David Brown, who lives with his wife near the disputed area, stated in court testimony in November 2009 that he was required to carry a native-issued passport and needed approval from the protesters to enter his own house. He also claimed that after arriving "after curfew" one day, he was denied entry and jailed by the OPP when he caused trouble by ignoring the natives. Brown alleged that Native protesters threatened and harassed him repeatedly and that rocks and mud were thrown at his family and their home. Brown and his wife are seeking $7 million dollars in a civil lawsuit against the OPP on the basis that the police did nothing to protect him and his family during the occupation.[25] [26]

In response to Brown's claims, Crown lawyer David Felicient stated that the situation "must be understood against the backdrop of the unique character of aboriginal occupations and protests" and that the OPP were prevented from taking action due to "policy implications."[25] Felicient also suggested that Brown had fabricated portions of his testimony to draw attention to his lawsuit. When Felicient asked why Brown kept a loaded shotgun, Brown responded that "We were doing what we had to do to stay alive. I had no protection from our government. I felt that I needed to protect my wife and my family."[27]

In court testimony, OPP Inspector Brian Haggith stated that the Native protesters "set up a checkpoint... Almost like they were entering another country," and that community lost confidence in the OPP's ability to protect them. Haggith also testified that when natives set fire to a wooden bridge in town, the fire department withdrew from fighting the blaze when confronted by shouted death threats from the protesters. The fire chief told the OPP he did not believe they would protect him or his men if they went against the natives' wishes. In addition, a electrical substation was then destroyed, causing more than $1 million in damage and a blackout, when a truck crashed through its gates and was left ablaze. Once again, Haggith stated that there was little response from the police. Inspector Haggith also testified that he asked for a change in policy at a subsequent meeting he had with his OPP superiors but that his request was denied

So here is the real issue, and it has nothing to do with the uppity Natives. Do you have a right to self defense? Are the police required to protect you? If the answer to the first question is 'no', than the answer to the second question has to be 'yes'. This is not some third world country we are talking about here, this is Canada, land of beer and hockey. Our slightly frigid neighbors to the North that talk funny and use words like 'eh' and 'oi'. And yet this travesty continues.

I encourage you to research all the links I left for you here. It truly is an interesting story that shows how these things can happen anywhere.