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Council provides update on Glebe Lands eviction of unhoused community

Front exterior of an city adminstration building. the majority of the building is black and the sides are red brick. Green bushes line the front of the building.
Six Nations will be receiving 100 acres of land this week as part of an agreement for not impeding in the construction process of 2200 homes in the town of Caledonia. Photo courtesy of CJKS.
Andrew Dow - CJKS - Ohsweken • ON | 15-11-2023
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Six Nations Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill updated the community and the rest of Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) on the ongoing eviction of homeless individuals who have been staying on Six Nations territory at the Glebe Lands.

The Glebe Lands are a parcel of land that is located within the City of Brantford. The area is behind Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School and is surrounded by Mohawk Park as well as the site of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School.

Both current Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill and former Chief Mark Hill have visited the site and informed the residents occupying the land that they have been staying there illegally. The chief and SNEC have been working collaboratively with both Six Nations Police and Brantford City Police to deal with the issue.

During yesterday's General Council meeting, Chief Hill said she visited the site last Thursday with members of Six Nations Police and observed seven individuals who have been encamped on the land. Of the seven residing on the Glebe Lands, two identified as First Nations members, and one person identified as being a Six Nations Band member. Chief Hill said the site is occupied with tents and camping trailers that those living at the site are using as shelter.

Coun. Greg Frazer, who has also been on site with both the current Chief and former Chief Mark Hill, says that both Six Nations Chiefs treated those encamped on the land with respect and have provided support information to the homeless individuals.

"I appreciate that both Chiefs treated them with respect, and gave them information," he said.

"As you know, we're not just trying to throw them out. What we're trying to do is also provide services for them as well."

SNEC is encouraging the First Nations and Six Nations band members to find supports that are offered within Six Nations like the Six Nations Crisis Hub, Six Nations Mental Health and Addicitions and Ganhohkwasra Family Assault Support Services. Meanwhile individuals who did not identify as First Nations or Six Nations band members were encouraged to seek supports offered throught the City of Brantford and it's Houseless Outreach Team.

Chief Hill says that a follow up inspection of the Glebe Lands will take place later on this week by Six Nations Police and that once the lands are no longer occupied a clean up of the site will take place.

For the full CJKS story listen below:

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