8/6/2019 Couchiching Toll Booth follow through

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Fort Frances TimesFort Frances TimesWEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010$1.19 plus 6 GST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 4

Toll booth subject of praise, threats: chiefBy Peggy RevellStaff writer

Couchiching First Nation has re-ceived everything from praise tothreats after following through onits controversial plan to set up a tollbooth on Highway #11 at the westend of the Noden Causeway lateFriday afternoon.

Weve had a number of well-wishers. Some people said that weshould have done this a long timeago. Some people actually gavetips, said Chief Chuck McPherson,referring to the response from mo-

torists who have passed throughthe toll booth, which the band sayswill stay up until the federal andprovincial governments adequatelyaddress compensation for the landHighway #11 sits upon and theidentified contaminated soil at theformer J.A. Mathieu sawmill site.

But on the other side of thecoin, weve had people that havemade a number of derogatoryremarks, mostly racist in nature,noted Chief McPherson.

And I had hoped that it wouldntget to that point of bringing raceinto it, he added, admitting that

while that is their freedom ofspeech, he would hope peoplecould express their disagreementin a more civil nature.

If theres any violence, its notgoing to be started by the mem- bership of Couchiching, ChiefMcPherson vowed, recounting howat one point a person had sug-gested bringing in warrior societ-ies and council replied that if thathappened, they would remove thebooth themselves.

Because thats not what werelooking for, he stressed.

Im disappointed that some

people have to make threateningremarks, racist remarks, becausewhen all is said and done, werenot going anywhere, were going tocontinue to live here.

The people of Fort Frances aregoing to continue to live here, andwe have to get along.

Weve been telling [communitymembers that] its not personalunfortunately, its based on this tollbooth being here, to try as best youcan not to internalize those things,to be strong, the cause is biggerthan any one of us, said Coun.Sarah Mainville about how the

community is dealing with threats,and the supportive way the com-munity has set up alongside the tollbooth.

I think that our resolve strength-ens when we come here, shenoted. Were using our spiritualitya lot to strengthen what were do-ing.

The older people here, the com-munication between the youth andthe elders, its strengthening our re-solve to continue, to fight for thosethings, those issues, to be resolvedand negotiate a just settlement.

By Peggy RevellStaff writer

With the Couchiching toll boothnow in place, many people arefacing the experience of a dailycommute through the siteand adecision as to whether or not theywill pay the $1 toll.

Those working at the toll booth have been courteous, noted oneReef Point resident, although go-ing through it feels like being in azoo with everyone watching fromalong the side of the highway.

I think its kind of a dangerousset-up, the man said. I dont likethe way its being done but otherthan that, theyre not forcing youto pay, its optional.

Other than slowing the trafficdown a bit, its fine, he added,reiterating that those who have been working at the toll boothhave been very courteous and he has been the same back to them

in returndespite not paying thetoll.My feelings are is that I dont

think they [the band] should in-clude us, he explained. [Includ-ing us is] not going to help themresolve their situation.

Theyre just making it hard forus.

The man is very much so hop-ing the situation will be resolved,adding that would be a godsendif they figured to do that.

Another resident of Rocky InletRoad said she is surprised the tollbooth went up since she hoped anagreement between Couchiching

and the federal and provincial gov-ernments would have been madebeforehand.

Each time that weve [crossed],weve just handed over our loonie,and theyve been very polite andsaid thank you for that, she said.

But after five trips and $10, sheadmitted she is upset and worriedthe toll booth will become a per-manent fixture on the highway.

The woman has decided she nolonger will pay the toll, like otherfriends she has spoken to, althoughshe added that having friends onCouchiching, she respects wherethe band members are coming

from and are sympathetic to whathas been happeningwhich is whyshe had paid the toll to beginwith.

I think the most importantthing is that cooler heads prevailand that in the law, that they cometo some agreement thats going towork for everybody, thats fair toeveryone, she stressed.

And fairs important, too, be-cause they have to realize thatthere are limits to what can bedemanded, too.

I really wish they could in somelawful manner, within the law, gettogether and settle this, she con-

tinued.I am upset, and I think most of

my friends and people out here[are, too], she noted encouragingthe Couchiching chief and coun-cil to sit down and negotiation asettlement with government.

It is harassment for the general public, and I think most peopleare feeling bullied by it, echoedScott Stafford, a local logging truckoperator who crosses the NodenCauseway about four times a dayand 20 times a week.

I know for sure if my wife wasto drive through there, that shewould really feel intimidated by

it. Like, I dont think she wouldfeel that she had enough strengthor whatever to refuse paying thetoll.

Although he stops each time atthe toll booth, Stafford said he hasrefused to pay so far.

[Its] just on a matter of princi-ple, he explained. I dont believeI should be paying twice to driveon a provincial highway when Ivealready licensed my commercialvehicle to use that highway.

Stafford noted this principle isthe same even after the bands re-duction of the commercial vehicle

toll from $10 to $1 per crossing.I would just like the word

spread to everybody that Im pass-ing through unhindered withouthaving to pay, he said, adding hewishes the band would be moreupfront with the fact that theyarent going to force people topay.

After passing through without paying the toll, Stafford admit-ted he has received a threateninganonymous phone call, which theOPP currently is investigating.

But he still will be going throughthe toll booth without paying.

If Im asked to pay $40 a dayto do my [job], in my line of work,$40 a day is far more than whatit costs to even feed my family,Stafford argued.

Im a 32-year-old self-employedfather of four, with a brand newmortgageweve just moved tothe outskirts of Fort Frances to getcloser to work, and now I see this

as another obstacle that I have todeal with to support my family.I was hoping that reason would

prevail, he said about his reactionwhen the toll booth first was an-nounced.

I dont see any benefit in theFirst Nations using the generalpublic as fodder in their argumentwith the government.

I dont see where they feel thatthat will gain anything as far asa neighbour relationship goestouse your neighbour as fodder inyour argument doesnt seem rightto me, he remarked.

By Duane HicksStaff writer

With the Couchiching toll boothat the forefront of many residents

minds, Fort Frances council servedup a slew of questions for OPPdetachment commander Insp. JohnKendrick at last nights meeting.

Our highways been blockadedon the reserve since May 21, saidCoun. Ken Perry. Its an illegal act,and Id like to know what the OPP plan on doing about it to correctthe problem?

Insp. Kendrick replied the OPPwants to maintain the peace andprotect the public. Any complaintsthat are received will be investi-gated, with follow-up and appro- priate response taken sometimeafterwards.

Our goal right now is to keepthe highway open, to protect thepeace, he stressed. And anythingthat occurs after that will be a mea-sured response.

Coun, Andrew Hallikas askedwhat advice could Insp. Kendrickgive to motorists approaching thetoll booth.

Because it is an obstruction onthe highway, motorists should slowdown and proceed with caution, heanswered.

As people approach the tollbooth, they have to make a person-al decision, Insp. Kendrick added.Its an individual, personal deci-sion whether or not to pay the toll.

The OPP cant comment onwhat action will be taken or pro-vide advice further on a matter thatis being dealt with at higher levelsof government.

Its a continuous, ongoing thingat the present time.

Really, who is calling the shots?Who is making the decision as tohow the OPP will react to variouscircumstances that could occur atthat toll booth? wondered Coun.Hallikas.

Ultimately, for the OPP, Com-

missioner Julian Fantino will makethe decision about how we react,and that will be based on his con-versation with other provincial par-ties, other provincial agencies, saidInsp. Kendrick.

Theyre working actively nowto address a problem, and wereasking the publics patience whilethis dialogue goes on, he added,noting the situation is somethingnew and the OPP wants to makesure its response is measured andcorrect.

Coun. Sharon Tibbs asked if thetoll booth is an illegal action, to

CouncilgrillsOPPon tollbooth

Please see Council, A5

Most feeling bullied by toll booth: trucker

Local trucker Scott Stafford stopped to speak with Holly Cogger, who was among the first to work at the Couchiching tollbooth once it was set up late Friday afternoon on Highway #11 just west of the Noden Causeway. Some motorists, likeStafford, have been refusing to pay the toll. Peggy Revell photo

I dont see any benefit in the FirstNations using the general public asfodder in their argument with thegovernment.

Scott Stafford

Please see Toll, A5

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INSIDE

The Fort Frances CanadianBass Championship thinkscountry star George Canyonis one good friend.

The two-time Juno Award-winner will headline theentertainment lineup at this years tournament, taking thestage at the Ice For KidsArena on Friday, July 23.

Canyon toheadline FFCBC

As part of a national fund-raising campaign, the Voya-geur Lions and the Fort HighLeo Club are planning theirfifth Purina Walk for DogGuides here this Sunday (May30) at Pithers Point Park.

Intended to raise money forthe Lions Foundation of Cana-da Dog Guides training facilityin Oakville, Ont., the walk getsunderway at 1 p.m., with reg-istration starting at noon.

Dog walkall set to go

Attending OFSAA is old hatfor Josh Strain.

Making some noise at theall-Ontarios has been a littlemore elusive.

Going into it, last year, Ikind of had an off-year, Strainacknowledged. This was myredemption year.

Field athletesqualify for OFSAA

See story on C1

See story on A10

See story on B1

8/6/2019 Couchiching Toll Booth follow through

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010 FORT FRANCES TIMES A5

As the first vehicles went past the newly-erected toll booth late Friday afternoon, members ofCouchiching First Nation lined the side of Highway #11 to applaud those who opted to paythe $1 toll. Band members did not impede drivers who chose not to do so.

Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson and Coun. Dan Mainville (not pictured) were the firstto step into the toll booth and start collecting tolls from passing vehicles late Friday after-noon.

Council

grillsOPPon tollbooth

More from A1which Insp. Kendrick replied, Itsa complex issue.

It deals with jurisdictional is-sues, land claim issues, who ownswhat portion of highway, he ex-

plained, adding the OPP has beenactive in keeping open lines ofcommunication with CouchichingFirst Nation, as well as meetingwith community leaders to try toget out the message that the situa-tion is going to take time before itsresolved.

We understand that the publicis very frustrated, as are the police,but its a process that has to takeplace, and we want to do it safely,Insp. Kendrick stressed.

The public safety is the mainthing.

Coun. Tibbs said many peopleare unclear as to whether theyshould pay the $1 toll, and theyshould know its an individual de-cision.

You can talk about it being a personal decision you make onyour own, she remarked. How-ever, what is happening here isan illegal action in process, andregardless of how were going tocarry on to get this thing solved,the bottom line is people are feel-ing intimidated into doing thatthey feel obligated to do thatandI dont think they should be feelingthat way.

It should be clearly stated tothe public they are not required tomake that payment if they choosenot to. Its an individual decision,

Coun. Tibbs continued.Are we being policed by the po-lice or policed by the governmentin this issue? asked Mayor RoyAvis.

The term they use is a mea-sured response. What can be doneat the present time is being done,replied Insp. Kendrick, noting thatuntil the government leaders cometogether and decide which routethey want to take, the only thingthe OPP can do is protect the pub-lic and keep the peace to the bestof its ability.

A lot of people who live in themunicipality and the district feelreally let down by the OPP on thisissue, said Mayor Avis. Thatswhy I asked that question.

Because if your hands are tied,and its the government thats mak-ing the response, the criticism isgoing to the wrong spot.

Like any other contentious is-sue, when people dont know whatto do, people turn to the policefor answers, acknowledged Insp.

Kendrick.And when the answers theyregetting from the police are verystructured, which they are in thiscase because were trying to keepeverything calm, they dont geta very good feeling that theyre

being well-represented, he admit-ted.

But I can assure you there aremany, many police officers arounddoing many, many different thingsin order to keep what has occurredover the past several days in thestatus it currently is, he stressed,noting the OPP will continue toensure the highway remains openand the public safe until a decisionis reached and the OPP will takethe necessary actions.

Toll booth

subject ofpraise, threats

More from A1Its an amazing communitythe

community has really come to-gether around [it], Coun. Mainvilleremarked.

We had a meeting on Sun-day and they resoundingly said tocontinue fighting, to continue thefight, she noted.

The cause is worthy of thedisruptions and well protect eachother, and thats what weve beendoing.

In the meantime, the toll boothremains, with a charge of $1 for allvehicles.

The band is offering a monthlypass of $25 available at the boothor the band office (current passes

combine both the months of Mayand June).While some motorists have paid

the toll, others have opted to drivethrough without paying a cent.

In a press release issued yester-day, Couchiching chief and councilstated they will not impede motor-ists unwilling to pay the toll.

However, they support the appli-cation of Section 30 of the IndianAct which states, A person whotrespasses on a reserve is guilty ofan offence and liable on summaryconviction to a fine not exceeding$50 or to imprisonment for a termnot exceeding one month, or to

both.Meanwhile, the OPP continues

to monitor the toll booth area,with OPP officers present to ensurethere is a safe and orderly flow oftraffic.

The OPP recognizes the needto balance individual rights andfreedoms with the need to main-tain public peace and order, OPPCst. Anne McCoy said in an e-mailto the Times yesterday about howthe police are approaching the situ-ation.

As police officers, we will utilizeour police discretion as a validand appropriate approach to de-escalate situations.

The primary role of the OPP isto keep the peace and ensure pub-lic safety, and as such the event hasremained peaceful, she added.

There are many actions thepolice are taking to approach thematters at hand.

Cst. McCoy said the proper exer-cise of police discretion should not

be confused with a lack of enforce-ment, noting that officers activelyare investigating unlawful acts.

But we ask the public to recog-nize patience is required to handlethe matter as public safety is the

priority.Her e-mail also noted the OPP

is not in a position to resolve theunderlying issues.

We appreciate the public may have many questions and weacknowledge frustrations, she

wrote.Please note our approach has been professional and measured,as officers recognize the matter isvery complex and includes manylegislative authorities who are cur-rently reviewing the issues.

When there are traffic delays,they are minimal, the OPP alsostated.

The Fort Frances detachmentof the OPP has open lines of com-munication and a good workingrelationship with chief and councilof Couchiching First Nation andthe mayor and council of the Townof Fort Frances, police also re-marked.

Our Provincial Liaison Teamis working with the Couchiching

First Nation community, as well aswithin the Town of Fort Frances,to encourage respectful behaviourand fielding questions from the

public.Our Community Services Of-

ficer is working to keep the flow

of information current and timelyto the media, and has been work-ing to relay the messages to ourcommunity partners including ourschools, businesses and serviceagencies, police added.

As for how long the toll boothwill be up, Chief McPherson saidthat it depends on how the prov-ince and federal government re-sponds to the issues behind the

bands decision to erect it.We hope to be making some

headway, and Ill know later on inthe week, he said, noting he andthe provincial minister of aborigi-nal affairs will have a meeting to-morrow (May 27) concerning com-

pensation for the land on whichHighway #11 sits.

Were going to see what they have to offer and weve got someideas that were going to present tothem, and well see how responsivethey are, Chief McPherson said,adding that the band is lookingfor fair and adequate compensa-tionsomething it hasnt receivedto date.

When it comes to the contami-nated soil at the former J.A. Ma-thieu sawmill site, Chief McPher-son said hey have spoken with fed-eral Indian Affairs minister ChuckStrahl, who has indicated that thestudy period is definitely overand its time for action.

He didnt specify what the ac-tion is, cautioned Chief McPher-son, but noted he also will bemeeting with the regional directorof INAC tomorrow and that Strahl

has committed to meeting the bandcouncil the very near future.

In terms of progression, weregetting to talk to the people thatmake the decisions, and that looksfavourable, said Chief McPher-son.

Since first going up late Fridayafternoon, Chief McPherson, coun-cil, and members of the Couchich-ing community have taken turnsmanning the toll booth.

Im doing it for my childrenand their children, and to protectour land that we haveits not

very much and that worries me,Couchiching band member DanielMorrisseau said Friday right beforethe toll booth went up.

Morrisseau, a father of four, hadvolunteered to man the toll boothon Saturday morning.

Fearits scary, he said abouthis feelings of the toll booth goingup, noting that if arrested, it would

be the first charge hes ever hadlaid against him, but hes doing itfor the community.

Its the first time weve everdone this as a community, and Idont know how its going to turnout, he admitted.

I dont know how its going toturn out and I hope it turns outgood, as peaceful as can be.

Two OPP officers handed out notices to participants Friday evening, warning them of pos-sible criminal charges that could come if the toll booth continued. Peggy Revell photos

Toll booth drawing outside supportBy Peggy RevellStaff writer

The toll booth initiative under-taken by Couchiching First Nationis drawing support from beyond itsimmediate community, includinga visit from Grand Council Treaty#3 Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly yes-terday.

Im here to support Couchich-ing First Nation, said Kelly, whotook a turn in the booth collectingtolls from passing vehicles.

I think its a drastic step thatthey have to take, and its unfor-tunate that after all these years, allthese decades, that these land is-sue is still unresolved, she added.

I think its unfortunate that wehave to put people on the highway,its a safety concern, its a risk,Kelly continued.

But I think its an importantstatement, and I hope that the fed-eral government and the provincialgovernment wake up and starttrying to resolve [this] because thisisnt the only outstanding thing.

Theres numerous claims thatstill have to be resolved, shestressed.

Reaction from other First Na-tions within Treaty #3 have in-cluded support for Couchiching

because were all in the same boatwhen it comes to unresolved landissues, Kelly explained, pointingto the talk about reconciliation ofa relationship between aboriginal

people and Ontarianssomethingof which theres still a lot of work

to be done on.I can understand that its an in-convenience to the tourists, as wellas the townspeople, but at the sametime its been an inconvenience tous, as First Nation people, to haveour land issue unresolved, Kellyremarked.

So again, lets all work togetherand try to resolve the situation andreconcile some of the hurt feelingsand maybe the misunderstandingsbecause I think a lot of it seemsto be misunderstanding.

Becoming educated about FirstNations issues is one of the thingsTerry Waboose, deputy grand chieffor the Nishnawbe Aski Nation(NAN), asked the greater com-munity for during his visit to the

Couchiching toll booth site yester-day afternoon.

Im here basically to supportCouchiching and what theyre do-ing here, which is basically assert-ing their jurisdiction over theirland and trying to call attention tothe governments in terms of someof the grievances that they have,noted Waboose, pointing to theissue of land contamination andcompensation for the land uponwhich Highway #11 sits.

Couchiching is not unique when

it comes to the issues First Nationcommunities are dealing with withthe government, he stressed.

NAN itself represents 49 com-munities within James Bay Treaty#9 and Ontario portions of Treaty#5.

Like many other First Nationcommunities, we do have a lot ofunsettled issues with claimslandclaims, particularlyand unfortu-nately what happens is when things

arent settled in a timely manner,First Nations, unfortunately, haveto resort to these things, Waboosesaid.

While some may disagree withthe toll booth, Waboose said itsright what Couchiching is doing,and encouraging people to educatethemselves when it comes to FirstNations issues.

A lot of the grievances are his-torical in nature, but somethingthat should be solved today, heremarked.

If they were solved a while ago, you wouldnt have these typesof issues, he added, hoping thegreater population of Fort Francesshould support the community.

We are nei ghbours, he stressed.We want the same things as theywant.

They want a good educationfor their children, nice, safe com-munities, nice clean air, and goodenvironment.

Grand Council Treaty #3 Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly visitedthe site of Couchiching First Nations toll booth yesterday tooffer her support and take a turn collecting tolls, as did NANdeputy grand chief Terry Waboose.

Its an amaz-ing communitythe communityhas really cometogether around[it].Sarah Mainville

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