The Tyendinaga Support Committee is a group in Toronto working to gather support for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) in their struggles for land and justice and against criminal prosecution. To get involved, to lend your support, or if you have any questions, please email: support.tmt (at) gmail.com
 Past Updates
- CN construction destructive, land claim unresolved (Feb 20, 2010)
- A Night on Water Justice (Sept 12, 2009)
- Struggle Continues Against Armed Border Guards in Akwesasne (June 29, 2009)
- UPDATE: Seven Mohawks remain in prison after OPP assault (June 12, 2009)
- OPP Assault on Mohawks: Mohawk Women re-take Skyway Bridge (June 12, 2009)
- Tyendinaga Answers Akwesasne's Call (June 7, 2009)
- CN: Drop your racist lawsuit! (Apr 2, 2009)
- Amnesty International Open Letter (Nov 12, 2008)
- Warrants Issued: 30 Mohawks Facing Arrest (Nov 5, 2008)
- Crown Buys Fantino's Silence with Brant's Freedom (Sept 29, 2008)
- The OPP and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (Sept 29, 2008)
- 11th Hour Decision: Court of Appeal Throws Out Publication Ban Again (July 19, 2008)
- Press Conference Announcement (July 18, 2008)
- Shawn Brant Released from Custody! (June 27, 2008)
- Public Event - Ipperwash Inquiry: Lessons Unlearned? (June 17, 2008)
- Two Tyendinaga Mohawk Prisoners Released (June 5, 2008)
- CUPE Ontario Passes Resolution in Support of Tyendinaga (June 5, 2008)
- Update from Quinte Regional Detention Centre (May 28, 2008)
- More Charges Laid: Clampdown Intensifies (May 20, 2008)
- Punchclock Showcase No. 2: Shawn Brant is No Criminal (May 16-17, 2008)
- OPP Weaponry and Escalation:
Update on the Struggle for the Culbertson Tract (May 13, 2008)
- Shawn Brant's Arrest - Statement by Sue Collis, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (May 4, 2008)
- Tense Standoff Continues in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (April 27, 2008)
- Ontario Jails Five More First Nations People Involved in Land Struggles (April 27, 2008)
- Hollow Victory: Shawn Brant Acquitted of Threat Charges (April 18, 2008)
- Prosecution Seeks Minimum 12 Years of Federal Penitentiary Time (October 15, 2007)
- Shawn Brant Released from Custody (August 30, 2007)
Media
- Protesters win another round in police battle (Belleville Intelligencer, October 9, 2009)
- School water issue heating up (Belleville Intelligencer, October 6, 2009)
- Shawn Brant gets five-month sentence (Belleville Intelligencer, Jul 22, 2009)
- Ontario bridge reopens after tense native-police standoff (Canwest News Service, June 12, 2009)
- Ontario bridge protest remains `volatile' (Canwest News Service, June 12, 2009)
- Aboriginal rail blockades justified, serve to raise awareness: lawyer (Canadian Press, Apr 7, 2009)
- Second Lawsuit Launched (Belleville Intelligencer, Dec 23, 2008)
- Mohawk residents file $74M lawsuit against band council, owner of operation (Belleville Intelligencer, Dec 16, 2008)
- Post office takes a flyer (Toronto Star, Nov 27, 2008)
- Police station delivery thwarted by protesters (Belleville Intelligencer, Oct 30, 2008)
- Mohawk protester Brant gets light penalty for blockades (CBC News, Sept 29, 2008)
- New Mohawk police building put on hold after protesters set up blockade (Belleville Intelligencer, Sept 24, 2008)
- No polls on reserve Oct. 14 (Belleville Intellgencer, Sept 23, 2008)
- Police Posing as Reporters Erodes Press Freedom, says CJFE (July 30, 2008)
- OPP forgets lessons of Ipperwash (Toronto Star, July 30, 2008)
- No progress made on Culbertson Tract (Belleville Intelligencer, July 26, 2008)
- Police chief sues OPP over firing (Brantford Expositor, July 25, 2008)
- Media Reports and Documents on Commissioner Fantino and OPP Wiretaps (July 2008)
- No compromise from Mohawks (Belleville Intelligencer, June 26, 2008)
- Kingston developer faces 45 days in jail (Napanee Guide, June 23, 2008)
- Police hoped to keep Brant behind bars: defence lawyer (Belleville Intelligencer, June 20, 2008)
- Report slams Fantino (Belleville Intelligencer, June 4, 2008)
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August 30, 2007
SHAWN BRANT RELEASED FROM CUSTODY!
Shawn Brant's preliminary hearing wrapped up August 30 in Napanee. The hearing ran from Monday, August 27 to Thursday, August 30 and ended with the defence taking a stab at getting the bail reviewed so Shawn might be released from jail pending trial.
There is a publication ban on both the preliminary hearing and the bail review that was held at the end which means nothing can be published about the evidence introduced in either. But we are able to publish the following information.
In a most surprising move, the judge agreed to release Shawn Brant on the following conditions:
* $50,000 cash bond posted
* additional $50,000 surety
* house arrest for 30 days
* no protests
* curfew
* carry release papers on his person at all times
* remain in Ontario
* maintain daily contact with his sureties
* report to Napanee OPP once a week
* not to attend at the quarry which is currently being occupied on the Culbertson Tract beside the reserve
Just before the preliminary hearing it was disclosed that Shawn Brant's cell phone had been wiretapped for the 28-29 of June without the authorization of a judge. It was done under a section of the criminal code that is reserved for exceptional emergency circumstances in which it is critical to have a wiretap and there simply isn't time to go before a judge and justify why such a measure is in order. This section is typically used in circumstances like kidnappings.
The judge ruled that there is enough evidence for Shawn to have to stand trial on all 9 charges arising from the April and June 2007 blockades. 2 new charges were added recently -- regarding VIA Rail -- so now his charges include 2 indictable mischief charges for allegedly blockading the CN rail line in April and June, as well as 2 NEW indictable mischief charges for allegedly interfering with VIA rail's use of the CN line through the blockades). Shawn now faces a total of 6 indictable mischief charges as well as the 3 breach of bail -related charges. The maximum penalty for each mischief charge is 10 years, there is no minimum sentence.
There is a courtdate in October at which time a jury trial date will be set, likely for April or May 2007.
On Thursday afternoon, Shawn's leg shackles (which he wore in court all week) were opened in the courthouse and after signing a few papers he headed home with his wife Sue. There were a whole lot of hugs and two very happy little kids climbing all over their dad.
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