Shawn Brant
Encyclopedia
Shawn Brant is a Native activist who lives on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario
, Canada.
In the 1990s, Brant participated in protests at Oka
and Ipperwash
. In November 2006, the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga reclaimed a gravel quarry that was licensed to remove over 100,000 tonnes of gravel per year despite ongoing land claims
negotiations. The Mohawks claimed that their land was being stolen from them by the Canadian government that was at the same time ostensibly engaged in land claims negotiations. Although the Canadian government had formally recognized the quarry as Mohawk land in 2003, private development had continued ever since. In January 2007, Brant was arrested for uttering ‘death threats’ to members of the Canadian Military who had been present at the November protest. On April 14, 2008, Brant was acquitted of all charges.
In April 2007 he organized a 30-hour illegal blockade of a CN rail
line in eastern Ontario. After this time the Ontario police guaranteed immunity to the protestors in exchange for ending the protest. The offer was accepted and the protest ended without arrest or injury. On April 25, Police Commissioner Julian Fantino
issued a warrant for Brant’s arrest.
In June 2007, the Mohawks of Tyendinaga illegally blockaded CN lines and highways running through Mohawk land near Deseronto, Ontario
. Brant participated as a Mohawk spokesperson as part of the National Aboriginal Day of Action
on June 29, 2007. Brant was charged with 9 counts of mischief
and breech of bail conditions. He turned himself in on July 5 and was denied bail. Denied bail again on August 10, Brant was finally released on August 30 with $50,000 bond and a $50,000 surety. The courts have consistently denied Brant the right the associate with Tyendinaga protests.
On April 25, Brant was again arrested and detained for assault and weapons charges in relation to a confrontation between two men from Deseronto – James Lalonde and Mike Lalonde - and several aboriginal protesters. Brant’s wife, Sue Collis, issued a public statement declaring that Shawn’s weapon was a fishing spear. To date, Brant has been the only person charged.
On May 27, 2008, Brant was put on lock-down for 23 hours a day for 12 days, for misconduct and breaking the prison rules. He was illegally burning sage
in his cell as part of a Mohawk religious ceremony.
On June 7, 2009, Brant helped organize a blockade of the Skyway bridge which connects Tyendinaga with Prince Edward County.
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory is an 73 km² Mohawk First Nations reserve on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario, Canada, east of Belleville and immediately to the west of Deseronto...
, Canada.
In the 1990s, Brant participated in protests at Oka
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. At least one person died as a result...
and Ipperwash
Ipperwash Crisis
The Ipperwash Crisis was an Indigenous land dispute that took place in Ipperwash Provincial Park, Ontario in 1995. Several members of the Stoney Point Ojibway band occupied the park in order to assert their claim to nearby land which had been expropriated from them during World War II...
. In November 2006, the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga reclaimed a gravel quarry that was licensed to remove over 100,000 tonnes of gravel per year despite ongoing land claims
Land claims
Land claims are a legal declaration of desired control over areas of property including bodies of water. The phrase is usually only used with respect to disputed or unresolved land claims...
negotiations. The Mohawks claimed that their land was being stolen from them by the Canadian government that was at the same time ostensibly engaged in land claims negotiations. Although the Canadian government had formally recognized the quarry as Mohawk land in 2003, private development had continued ever since. In January 2007, Brant was arrested for uttering ‘death threats’ to members of the Canadian Military who had been present at the November protest. On April 14, 2008, Brant was acquitted of all charges.
In April 2007 he organized a 30-hour illegal blockade of a CN rail
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
line in eastern Ontario. After this time the Ontario police guaranteed immunity to the protestors in exchange for ending the protest. The offer was accepted and the protest ended without arrest or injury. On April 25, Police Commissioner Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino is a retired police official and the elected Member of the Parliament of Canada for the riding of Vaughan following a November 29, 2010 by-election...
issued a warrant for Brant’s arrest.
In June 2007, the Mohawks of Tyendinaga illegally blockaded CN lines and highways running through Mohawk land near Deseronto, Ontario
Deseronto, Ontario
Deseronto is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, in Hastings County, located on the shore of the Bay of Quinte. The town had a population of 1,824 in the Canada 2006 Census.The town was named for Capt...
. Brant participated as a Mohawk spokesperson as part of the National Aboriginal Day of Action
Aboriginal Day of Action
The Aboriginal Day of Action was a day of organized protest and demonstration by Canadian First Nations groups on June 29, 2007...
on June 29, 2007. Brant was charged with 9 counts of mischief
Mischief
Mischief is a vexatious or annoying action, or, conduct or activity that playfully causes petty annoyance. Young children, when they hear of mischief, think of practical jokes....
and breech of bail conditions. He turned himself in on July 5 and was denied bail. Denied bail again on August 10, Brant was finally released on August 30 with $50,000 bond and a $50,000 surety. The courts have consistently denied Brant the right the associate with Tyendinaga protests.
On April 25, Brant was again arrested and detained for assault and weapons charges in relation to a confrontation between two men from Deseronto – James Lalonde and Mike Lalonde - and several aboriginal protesters. Brant’s wife, Sue Collis, issued a public statement declaring that Shawn’s weapon was a fishing spear. To date, Brant has been the only person charged.
On May 27, 2008, Brant was put on lock-down for 23 hours a day for 12 days, for misconduct and breaking the prison rules. He was illegally burning sage
Artemisia tridentata
Artemisia tridentata is a shrub or small tree from the family Asteraceae. Some botanists treat it in the segregate genus Seriphidium, as S. tridentatum W. A. Weber, but this is not widely followed...
in his cell as part of a Mohawk religious ceremony.
On June 7, 2009, Brant helped organize a blockade of the Skyway bridge which connects Tyendinaga with Prince Edward County.