Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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Ontario - The land surrounding the band office of the Caldwell First Nation in southwestern Ontario is covered with hundreds of expensive plastic signs saying "Not For Sale". These signs were posted by a local citizens committee earlier this year as soon as the federal government announced they had signed an agreement in principle to settle the Caldwells' 200 year old land claim.

The Caldwell now have funds to purchase land and create a reserve for their people. But the land is "not for sale". Not for sale to whom?

To find out, 5 CPTers and 2 members of a local group, Friends of the Caldwell, spent a day knocking on doors asking landowners about their signs. "I'm just being neighborly," said one man. "My neighbors asked me to put up a sign and neighbors have to stick together so I put up a sign. I have nothing against the Caldwell."

"I don't want an Indian reserve here," said another woman. "I'm not being racist, but you know what reserves look like-full of junk and shacks and dirty kids. They'll drive the value of my land way down." Another Neighbor said, "I don't want a reserve here. The Caldwells' purchases are driving land prices sky high."

Chief Larry Johnson of the Caldwell First Nation replies, "The reserve system is the only way we have to preserve Indian land for future generations. We have been neighbors for years and we already manage 700 acres of farmland in this area."

Chief Johnson also has a sign on his mailbox. It reads, "Canadian racism can be beaten". He remains hopeful.