Bryant Visits Caledonia

New Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gains Deeper Understanding of Community

CALEDONIA – Michael Bryant, Ontario’s new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, concluded his first visit to Caledonia this afternoon with a deeper understanding of the community and the local situation.

“I came to Caledonia to listen, to learn, and to get the lay of the land,” said Bryant. “My visit today and hearing what people have to say will help to inform my view of the negotiations.”

During his visit, Bryant met with:

Six Nations Elected Band Council Chief David General
Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer and Councillors Craig Grice and Lorne Boyko, and Haldimand County CAO Don Boyle
Local historian Barbara Martindale
Intercommunity Faith Council members Father George Sammut (St. Patrick’s Catholic Church; Rev. Blake Eady (Caledonia Baptist Church); Rev Ross Baxter (New Life Community Church); Nina Burnham (Six Nations elder, Six Nations Anglican Church).
Local community and business leaders including Ralph Luimes, CEO Hal-Nor Credit Union and member of Caledonia Citizens’ Alliance.

Bryant spoke with Six Nations Band Council Chief-Elect Bill Montour last week. A meeting with Chief-Elect Bill Montour and leaders of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy will likely take place in the coming weeks.

Bryant said his priority now is seeing the negotiations continue to move towards a positive resolution as well as strengthening the relationships between Six Nations people and their neighbours.

“Resolving this situation is a priority for the McGuinty government,” Bryant said. “But the two parties – the federal government and Haudenosaunee/Six Nations – have to make the final decisions. This is an opportunity to use our government’s momentum to make progress.”

Lars Eedy
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
Communications Branch
(416) 327-9631

Greg Crone
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
Minister’s Office
(416) 606-8562

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