For over four months now Albert Douglas has been locked up in the Barton Street jail in Hamilton, Ontario. He faces a number of charges including assault and attempted murder. The serious charges stem from an alleged confrontation between Douglas and American government agents at the Douglas Creek reclamation site in Caledonia.

On June 9th 2006 an undercover American ATF vehicle was spotted driving past the reclamation site, the occupants taking photographs of those involved. According to the police Albert Douglas hijacked the vehicle and assaulted those inside, one officer subsequently decided to jump from the vehicle and was injured. After this incident a country wide arrest warrant was issued and Douglas was arrested during a routine traffic stop on Highway 401 on September 27th 2007.

Being a member of the Kanienkekhake tribe Albert Douglas is a member of a nation independent of Canada, and therefore is being forced through the gears of a legal system that has no jurisdiction over him. This idea is shared by many who support him, from both within his community and individuals outside of it who feel that his actions were justified to protect his community and land. The courts however have ignored this and are proceeding with the trial as planned, no surprise considering Canada routinely violates international conventions when dealing with aboriginals.

Apart from the standard dehumanizing conditions that all prisoners face, Douglas’ treatment has been particularly harsh. His disclosure information, required to get proceedings underway and build a defense, has been repeatedly delayed. The massive amounts information is only available to him on a computer for a few hours a day so this process in itself has been drawn out as long as possible as Douglas is locked away in solitary.

The Albert Douglas case mirrors others occurring across Ontario. Shawn Brant of Bay of Quinte Mohawks is facing 12 years in jail for his part in blockading CN rail lines through Tyendinaga on April 20, in 2006 and 2007 and Highway 401 on June 29, 2007. Robert Lovelace, a retired Ardoch Algonquin First Nation chief, is serving six months for his part in a blockade of a proposed uranium mine near Sharbot Lake. A recent demonstration outside of the prison he is being held drew over 400 supporters. The courts recognize that these individuals and the actions they have taken present a clear threat to the business as usual of repressing land claims and exploiting the resources from stolen land. The only crime being punished here is standing up to Canada’s legacy of colonialism and genocide and refusing to being co-opted into the system perpetuating it.

By Devin, Common Cause Hamilton