#protectthetract — Public Fediverse posts

On my way back from physio yesterday, I saw that this stretch of habitat along Shirley Avenue is now poisoned with pesticide. Waterloo is theoretically a bee city. Apparently, Kitchener is not. I hate that so much habitat destruction keeps happening. Last year, there were trees in this spot. They were removed all the way down to that walking trail this spring. This is an area where I used to go foraging. Now it's been intentionally poisoned.

This is part of the Haldimand Tract and is close to the Grand River, territory of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee. This flouts our treaties with them. https://beecitycanada.org/bee-cities/waterloo/ @waterlooregion #HabitatDestruction #ecology #pollinators #LandBack #ProtectTheTract #pesticides

"WARNING: The WRCSB is voting Monday on a motion that would ban pride flags, slogans, and symbols from being hung or shown (even on a sticker!) on school property. Even teacher's personal flags would not be allowed.

Please show up on Monday to show support!"

I will add that their motion also erases Indigenous Peoples by saying the Canadian flag represents all. Kitchener is on the Haldimand Tract, the stolen, occupied territory of Six Nations.

https://bsky.app/profile/mdruker.app/post/3lkwkdtihyk2y

@waterlooregion #homophobia #CatholicSchool #pride #LGBTQIA2S #fascism #ontario #KitchenerWaterloo #ProtectTheTract #HaldimandTract

@waterlooregion I just got a response which uses the word "unique" a lot without actually clarifying if Six Nations has been consulted or not. I'm thinking not.

"Indigenous communities have a unique role in land use planning and development.  They contribute unique perspectives and traditional knowledge to land use matters including cultural heritage, natural heritage and water resources protection.  The City/ Township/ Region values the ongoing relationship with Indigenous communities. We look forward to continued collaboration with Indigenous communities on our Official Plan to continue to inform decision-making."
 
"In consideration of the existing trees on the site, City Staff work with the applicant to conserve trees whenever possible, recognizing them as essential infrastructure within our community."

_____

Personally, I question what "collaboration" is going on. The Land Back camp, after a lot of harrowing life in Willow Park (Victoria Park), managed to negotiate free use of the park facilities. It is a traditional/historical meeting place for Indigenous Peoples in the region. Yet within the last month, the City of Kitchener has started charging Indigenous groups money to use it again.

That is not collaboration. That is colonialism.

I also mistrust what they say about the trees. Last year, in the middle of nesting season, those trees were trimmed and the branches--baby birds and all--were thrown into a woodchipper. When I sent complaints to the city, they promised to get back to me and rectify the situation (I don't know how since they can't resurrect baby birds or undo the damage). No one ever did get back to me.

#LandBack @waterlooregion #ProtectTheTract #Haudenosaunee #SixNations #Anishinaabeg #DishWithOneSpoonTreaty #HabitatDestruction #AnimalAbuse

I received a notice from the city regarding a nearby property. The neighbours want to put an additional dwelling on the property, and the city wants to know if I have any issues with that. I said I personally have no problems with that so long as the big maple trees aren't damaged/destroyed, but I do want to know if the city contacts Six Nations re. any development. After all, this is their land, and they have placed a moratorium upon development. I'm curious to hear what the folks at City Hall have to say about that.

Edit: I heard back. Response in the comments. #HaldimandTract #ProtectTheTract #SixNations #IndigenousLand #LandBack #Haudenosaunee #Anishinaabeg @waterlooregion

I pass this property on Guelph Street often. Until a few years ago, that shitty stretch of lawn used to be a big cluster of juniper, bearberry, and milkweed. It was necessary food and habitat for monarch butterflies and other critters. Now it is a food desert for pollinators.

And that sign they have along the sidewalk is the meanest, most selfish sign I've ever seen directed to pedestrians. It shows they really don't give a shit about children and pedestrians.

And that last sentence about "these lands" is pretty fucking awful. These lands are on the Haldimand Tract. They're occupied, stolen lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabeg. These lands are under the Dish With One Spoon wampum, and this sign shows the people who currently "own" this property have no intention of honouring that treaty.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/a-dish-with-one-spoon#:~:text=A%20%E2%80%9Cdish%20with%20one%20spoon,spirit%20of%20mutual%20co%2Doperation

#kitchener #HabitatDestruction #ProtectTheTract #HaldimandTract #DishWithOneSpoonTreaty #wampum #MonarchButterflies #AntiPedestrian #CarCulture #Treaty @waterlooregion