"Hazel Hill's last 'Table Talk' show"

With the pending closure of Six Nations' radio station CKRZ, Hazel Hill presented what could be her last broadcast update from the negotiation table and the HDI.

Although there is a slight possibility the death sentence over the station may get a last minute reprieve, CKRZ newsman Al Sault prerecorded this episode of "Table Talk with Hazel Hill" for rebroadcast before the station goes off the air.

The topic of development of contested Six Nations' land came up very early in light of the Empire Homes situation in Brantford.

"Confederacy representatives met with the Crown," Hill said of the first meeting back at the negotiation table after more than six months away.

"The Six Nations' negotiators reminding them that it is very difficult for our people to be sitting at the table in a spirit and principle of good faith when the Crown, through its municipalities or developers are taking court action, police are arresting our people, and threatening to arrest more of our people."

Ontario's new lead negotiator has a few things to learn as well according to Hill who was personally offended by Tom Molloy using terms like "you people" when he spoke about the need to stop on-the-­ground action by protesters.

"But nowhere in their thinking is the fact that their continuing to develop on land we are supposed to be discussing is just as much of what they call, ground action," she observes.

Hill reports that they discussed the rejection of the $26 million offer for the Welland Canal flooding.

"They are telling us what we would or would not have done with the money for the Welland Canal flooding," says Hill. "If they were dealing with a company, they wouldn't get to assume what that company would have done with a cash settlement. But since it's us, they think they can do that."

Hill still feels an ample amount of disregard for who Six Nations is.

"They still don't understand our relationship with the Crown," says Hill. "All they want to do is take over and dominate."

She feels the Crown is having a hard time sticking to the historical background and are trying to interpret history for to fit their needs.

"It's nothing new," she says. "Look at any history book in schools. They always talk about our people and our ways as something in the past. There is no recognition of who we still are today."

Author and Professor Anthony Hall of Lethbridge University in Alberta has noticed the same thing and has written, "In Canadian history, the Aboriginal people are always depicted only as a quaint backdrop to their version of Canadian history."

She tried in what was to be her last broadcast to remind the community about the strength and unity shown on April 20th, 2006 when the OPP raided the former Douglas Creek Estates. She called for the same kind of unity now that negotiations have resumed.

"Remember that day," she questioned. "We were all one. I believe what Peacemaker brought together when he bundled the five arrows together. That's what crated our Nations and it is still in existence. Although there are factions, we are all still in that circle."

She spoke of the several differing points of view within the community, but insists that all are speaking the same thing in different ways.

"To me, the unity and understanding that we all drew from on April 20th,2006, was because we didn't depend on ourselves. It was not about individuals, it was about the Creator's law and our coming together under that law."

She reminded the listening audience that the community law again which is a power much greater than any single person, according to Hill.

She didn't hold back on her assessment of the Elective System.

"Band Councillors are great people," she said. "But they still represent a system sent here to destroy us and they still want to hold onto the power the Indian Act gives them."

She says she wants to see Six Nations live a collective life together where the community is more important than any one or two individuals.

"That is what will gain us ground at the negotiation table," she says. "Remember we are arrows bundled together by the Peacemaker. That is how we Haudenosaunee have to bring ourselves together and get over ourselves."

She again turned her attention to the continued development on Six Nations' land by saying, "Infringement on our land by developers is impeding us from being able to utilize our economic right and our perpetual care and maintenance," she said. "We need to restore our relationship with Canada. We are capable of that."

Since the radio media outlet is now closed to Hill for her community updates, she will be trying to find other ways to continue to keep the community abreast.

"In closing, I just want to encourage the community to focus on the positive things we have done and believe. We've got all creation on our side."