Update on Caledonia negotiations

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS SECRETARIAT

UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA

*********************** Notice - Update on Caledonia negotiations TORONTO, April 26 - Attached are points of accomplishment achieved today by the parties to the Caledonia negotiations.

This includes the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations, Canada and Ontario.

This builds on the points of agreement reached on April 21. This material is being provided to the media and the public to ensure that both are kept apprised of developments.

JOINT STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY HAUDENOSAUNEE/SIX NATIONS, CANADA AND ONTARIO - APRIL 26, 2006

1. Peaceful Resolution

The parties all recognize the need for short and long term resolutions that restore and maintain peace.

Douglas Creek Lands

We have established a main table through which we will work to resolve the issues of the possession, use, development and occupation of the Douglas Creek lands. Currently a working group is developing recommendations intended to lead to a resolution of the Douglas Creek lands issues. The working group will report to the main table in the short term.

Relationship with OPP A liaison-working group representing Haudenosaunee/Six Nations and the OPP has been making progress towards a relationship that is focused on trust and respect which includes open communication and patience.

Long Term Resolution

The parties have taken steps to appoint and to establish mandates for principal representatives who will have the responsibility to develop a detailed work plan to address and resolve the various outstanding issues in accordance with the April 21, 2006 agreement.

Disengagement

Through building a relationship between Haudenosaunee/Six Nations and the governments of Canada and Ontario and by working towards resolution of the short and long term issues, the parties are moving toward achieving disengagement which would result in the clearing of public roads and provide assurance of the safety of rail lines.

******************* Steelworkers call for peace, not provocation in land claims dispute

TORONTO - United Steelworkers' National Director Ken Neumann said Wednesday that the large number of Steelworker members who live in Caledonia and on the Six Nations Reserve make it important for the union to have a position regarding the stand-off over land claims in the troubled community.

"The important message following the police actions and then the clashes involving other community members is that it is imperative for this dispute to be settled peacefully, without provocation from anyone," said Neumann.

"All levels of government have ignored the claims by the Six Nations for land they say has never been relinquished, and now the entire Caledonia region is paying the price. Pitting community against community is where government inaction has led. It seems that lessons from the past have gone unlearned.

"Land claims have been settled in the past and can be settled now, but it requires a commitment to make the best agreement possible.

"Our communities have lived side by side in peace for generations. It is the union's position that peaceful co-existence must continue."

Neumann urged Steelworker members, both native and non-native, to support a peaceful resolution. The United Steelworkers represents 288,000 men and women working in every sector of Canada's economy.

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