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Aboriginal Affairs rep meets with Chamber On Friday, July 16, a representative of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and two assistants met with the directors of the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as Dan Lawrence and Ken Hewitt, who were invited to attend. The representative had spent 17 years in British Columbia dealing in Aboriginal affairs, and stated since October 2009, nothing has been done to resolve DCE or any outstanding Six Nations land claims, which have been unresolved for a good many years. He stated that the former Burtch Reformatory property will be turned over to Six nations by the Ontario government. There has been no decision as to what to do with the former Douglas Creek Estates, which is managed by the Ontario Realty Corporation. We need to get back to normalizing the relationships between Six Nations and their neighbours, reduce tensions and take time to make adjustment for the lack of provincial leadership, as there has been no movement since 2006. The consensus around the table was that the province has really dropped the ball as far as DCE is concerned and should be insisting that the symbols of the burnt out trailer and downed, broken hydro tower be removed immediately. Those around the table felt that the province as a landlord has no control over the DCE lands. It was felt that there has been a lack of leadership from the province and the group questioned whether the Ontario Realty Corporation is really managing DCE. A report on the meeting will be going from the representative's office to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. Don Edwards, member's assistant to the Honourable Diane Finley, MP, dropped off a report on Criteria General Guidelines Specific Guidelines for evaluating subjects of potential national historic significance. It is hoped that once information is received from Edinburgh Square Museum and Barbara Martindale, a letter regarding our Argyle Street nine-span historic bridge can be sent to the federal government regarding the designation of the bridge as an historic engineering landmark, as it is the only one of its kind in Canada. Special thanks to Karen Liviero, Lori and Bob Vollick, Jeff and Tracy Ronhaar, Dave and Jean Stephens, Ron and Nancy Clark and Linda Shoup for opening their gardens for our 12th annual Garden Tour, to those who came out for the tour, and to the garden greeters. Thanks to the garden tour commiittee for all their hard work: Dorothy Beemer, Mary Hubert, Ruth Lewis, Barbara Martindale, Joan McTear, Carol Ritchie and Sandra Woods. Thanks also to the local media for coverage of the event. The final figure for this year's Adopt-a-Barrel program was $3,172.40. Thank you to all those who took the time to donate. Under Haldimand County's Community Improvement Program, a new sign has gone up at the Caledonia Travel Information Centre, and because the Centre is in the heritage core of Caledonia, it is eligible for a percentage rebate of the purchase price to the Chamber. The total number of visitors to the Centre for June 2010 was 213, up from 168 in 2009 and visitors on Canada Day were 61, up from 30 in 2009. Don't forget to attend the 24th Annual Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow and Traditional Gathering on August 21 and 22. For more information, contact the cultural coordinator at 905-768-5686 or visit the event's website at www.newcreditpowwow.com. Carol Ritchie, Director, Caledonia Chamber of Commerce |
Chamber Update