On Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs and Clanmothers released a statement regarding federal elections being held on Haudenosaunee territory. This statement was provided to the Six Nations Elected system, the Turtle Island News, the Two Row Times as well as posted on the Haudenosaunee Confederacy website and on the Facebook Six Nations Community Bulletin board.
The Director of Communications for the elected system indicated this would be forwarded on.
On election day, total regard for the statement of our Confederacy Chiefs and Clanmothers had been ignored and the polling stations were being prepared at the Gathering Place.
All entrances to the polling station on the territory were blocked by Confederacy members which resulted in many police officers attending the site of polling. This was a peaceful protest in support of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs and Clanmothers and remained peaceful until the polls were removed.
“The people have decided to do their responsibility, the Haudenosaunee people, we are here backing up the statement of Confederacy Council that went out this past Wednesday. The peoples responsibility is to enforce the will of the Council, that is what we are doing. As Haudenosaunee men and women, we know our roles. Our great peace, that is what we are exercising here” said Colin Martin. Photo credit: Derek Sandy Facebook
Related media coverage
APTN – Elections Canada polling station on Six Nations territory forced to move to nearby town
Brantford Expositor – Protest by Confederacy supporters causes Six Nations polls to be moved
CBC – Long voting wait lines in Hamilton, poll in Ohsweken moved to off Six Nations after ‘blockade’
Yahoo News Canada – Polling stations on Six Nations violate Indigenous sovereignty and should go, Haudenosaunee Confederacy says
Sarnia Observer – Elections Canada moves polling stations off Six Nations
