My Dundas Valley

Blood Moon in Dundas Valley

Posted on October 8, 2014 by lechbiegalski

Lunar Eclipse, October 8, 2014, around 5:30 a.m.:

Picture taken from the hill near the main entrance to the DVCA at 650 Governor’s Road
(Photo: L. Biegalski)

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In Defence of Life – Standing Up Against The Lust for Culling Wildlife

Posted on September 16, 2014 by lechbiegalski

Early in 2013 I thought I had reached a low point as I reacted to the way the animal-loving British elite happily slaughtered anything that got in its way. The most visible sign of its lust for ‘controlling’ wildlife by culling has been the project to kill badgers on the poor excuse that they are responsible for all the bovine TB in cattle. So the start of the second year of badger culling coinciding with Medway Council trying again to destroy a protected site where nightingales breed forced me to revisit the war we wage on nature.

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No Treaty with Six Nations Shown on Map to be Used in All Ontario Schools: A Can of Worms Opened?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by lechbiegalski

By: Deyoyonwatheh (DeYo)
Six Nations – Haldimand Tract – Beliefs versus Facts

Issues Concerning the Publication of a Map of Indian Land Treaties in Ontario: In “Turtle Island News” (TIN), May 14, 2014, p.4 is an article entitled, Feds Ontario treaty map released to schools ….. but no Six Nations. The content here concerns a map entitled, “First Nations and Treaties” which is to be used in schools across Ontario, and is based on information from the Federal Government’s Ministry of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada (see here). Thus the document represents the distillation of what is in the Federal records relating to treaties signed by various First Nations peoples throughout the years (see here).

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Posted in Deer Hunt, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Nanfan "Treaty" | Tagged "Nanfan Treaty", Deer Hunting, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Hamilton Conservation Authority | Comments Off

Hamilton Conservation Authority destroys Dundas Valley trails

Posted on May 30, 2014 by lechbiegalski

(Click on picture to enlarge)

In my letter to the editor, “Why the change to Dundas Valley trails?“, published in the Hamilton Spectator on May 28, 2014, I wrote:

Up until last year, the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) was able to maintain a friendly and accessible character to Dundas Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) trails. They looked natural; they were easy to walk, run and bike on, even to push a baby stroller or a wheelchair. The water damage, frequently caused by rain and melting snow, was repaired in a timely manner, garbage was promptly removed, the area was clean and user friendly.

Since last fall, the HCA has been implementing a new idea — our beautiful and natural-looking trails are now being covered with large, coarse gravel and crushed rock, often the size of table tennis balls. The trails are beginning to look like rough farm lanes and the rare Carolinian forest like a construction site. The new surface is difficult to walk or run on, dangerous to bike on and impossible to access with a baby stroller or a wheelchair.

It destroys shoes and bike tires. It hurts the legs of dogs and other animals. It makes it impossible to remove the ever-increasing amount of horse manure. It looks plain ugly and creates a safety hazard.

A better solution is badly needed. It could be a layer of fine gravel or sand on top of the sharp and rolling rocks or a removal of the new surface and restoration of its natural state. For years, it was possible to maintain natural and accessible trails. Why is it not being done now?

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Speaking with a forked tongue- historical record of the land between the Lakes

Posted on December 23, 2013 by lechbiegalski

By: Tom Kennedy

Wikipedia describes “speaking with a forked tongue” as being of North American Aboriginal origin. The term means that the truth is denied, promises not kept, and any other fantasy that enriches the speaker allowed. The lands of what we call Ontario, especially the Niagara Peninsula, is a good example.

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You cannot give a better title than the one you have

Posted on December 7, 2013 by lechbiegalski

The Nanfan “Treaty” of 1701 Does NOT Give Six Nations People Special Hunting, Fishing and Consultation Rights in Ontario

By: Deyoyonwatheh (DeYo)
Six Nations – Haldimand Tract – Beliefs versus Facts

If one believes in the maxim that one cannot give away or sell that which does not belong to you, then the provisions of the treaty negotiated between Governor John Nanfan and the Six Nations in 1701 can have no validity – despite beliefs to the contrary. The principle is enshrined in law under the term, Nemo dat quod non habet. See here for details. This principle is derived from English Common Law and is expressed succinctly here.

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“Conveyance of lands by the Native American Chiefs of the Five Nations”

Posted on October 15, 2013 by lechbiegalski

Part 2

The original “Nanfan Treaty” document, the “Conveyance of lands by the Native American Chiefs of the Five Nations” – (The Albany Deed of 19 July 1701), is held at the National Archives in Kew, Surrey, England. The back (reverse) of this document has never been photographed, until yesterday. I have purchased official copies of both front and back of this document and I now, it seems, have the first official copy of the reverse of the original.

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Posted in Deer Hunt, Dundas Valley, Nanfan "Treaty" | Tagged Deer Hunting, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Hamilton Conservation Authority, HCA, Nanfan "Treaty" | Comments Off

Haudensaunee deer hunting in Dundas Valley – a “treaty right” or a fraud?

Posted on October 2, 2013 by lechbiegalski

Part 1

“Nanfan Treaty” is a hoax. It is not a “treaty.” It is a fraudalent interpretation of historical facts and a legally invalid claim of “treaty rights.” Nanfan Treaty does not exist. Historically, the deed of land to the English King, made by the Five Nations’ sachems in Albany on 19 July 1701, was never intended, recognized or confirmed by the Crown as a valid treaty.

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Posted in Deer Hunt, Dundas, Dundas Valley, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Hamilton, Hamilton Conservation Authority, Nanfan "Treaty", Wildlife | Tagged Deer Hunting, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Hamilton, Hamilton Conservation Authority, HCA, Nanfan "Treaty" | Comments Off

Why we oppose the deer hunt in Dundas Valley Conservation Area

Posted on October 2, 2013 by lechbiegalski

Introduction

There are many aspects of the annual Haudensaunee deer hunt in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) that need to be cleared of the smoke and mirrors that surround this highly controversial issue.

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Hunting in parks is at odds with conservation

Posted on October 2, 2013 by lechbiegalski

The following article by David Suzuki addresses a similar situation in the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site but it also directly relates to the deer hunting in Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Short Hills Provincial Park near St. Catherines, and other similar places proudly parading in public glory as “Conservation Areas”.

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Posted in Deer Hunt, Dundas Valley | Tagged Deer Hunting, Dundas Valley, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, DVCA, Hamilton Conservation Authority, HCA | Comments Off

St. Catherines: Deer hunt foes crowd public meeting

Posted on October 2, 2013 by lechbiegalski

by Jeff Bolichowski
St. Catherines Standard

Foes of a native deer hunt at Short Hills Provincial Park are still hoping to build traction against the coming event. Opponents of the November hunt, open only to Aboriginals, crowded an open house by the Ministry of Natural Resources Thursday, said area resident Robin Zavitz.

We need a change at the Hamilton Conservation Authority

Posted on October 1, 2013 by lechbiegalski

Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is implementing a new approach to maintaining the trails in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area (DVCA). Our beautiful and naturally looking trails are now being covered with large, coarse gravel and crushed rock the size of table tennis balls. The trails are beginning to look like rough farm lanes and the rare Carolinian forest like a construction site.

The Main Loop

Around the Trail Centre

“Improving” the Spring Creek Trail

Just doing our job…

Around the DVCA parking

Dusty crushed rock

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Effective solution desperately needed

Posted on September 15, 2013 by lechbiegalski

As the old saying goes, “Shit happens.” But in Dundas Valley Conservation Area shit, literally, “happens” too often.

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Mountain biking in Dundas Valley

Posted on September 8, 2013 by lechbiegalski

In addition to the KML and GPX files for Dundas Valley Trails and Dundas Valley Single Tracks, we have now posted KML and GPX files for the Dundas Valley Cocktail mountain biking routes.

A detailed description of the routes can be found on our DVCocktail Page.
The links to KML and GPX files are provided on our Downloads page.
The DVCocktail routes and elevation profiles can be viewed HERE.
Photo journal of the ‘Hot OUT’ route (22 km) can be viewed HERE – (map included)
Map of the ‘Extreme OUT’ route (34 km) can be viewed and downloaded from HERE.
Map of the ‘Cool OUT’ route (12.3 km) can be viewed and downloaded from HERE.
Photo journal of the ‘Extreme IN’ route (12 km) can be viewed HERE – (map included)

Disclaimer: Some of the trails and single tracks listed in this post are not officially “sanctioned” as cycling trails. However, they have been used by cyclists for decades. Use these trails at your own risk and, as always, use caution and judge the trails against your strength and your bike handling skills.

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Horseback riding in Dundas Valley

Posted on September 3, 2013 by lechbiegalski

HB1

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Looking good!

Posted on September 2, 2013 by lechbiegalski

Great job. Thank you, guys.

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Finally!! Good News…

Posted on July 28, 2013 by lechbiegalski

Work at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre has finally resumed. The ugly portable is being modified to match the style of the old Georgian train station. Hurray!

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Dundas EcoPark Film

Posted on July 17, 2013 by lechbiegalski

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Deer hunters worry band council involvement will hurt treaty

Posted on May 23, 2013 by lechbiegalski

(May 23, 2013) — The Turtle Island News has just posted an article, written by staff writer Chase Jarrett, “Deer hunters worry band council involvement will hurt treaty”. Here is the beginning of this text published on their home page:

Ontario is moving to backdoor the Six Nations Confederacy by drawing the elected band council into the annual deer hunts overseen by the Confederacy’s Wildlife and Habitat Authority. The move is an attempt to discredit the Confederacy and negate Haudensaunee treaty rights says Haudenosaunee Wildlife and Habitat Authority (HWHA) spokesman Chester Gibson.“They’re (Ontario) backdooring us to try and get the band recognized,” he said. “We don’t go in there as a band,” he said.

The HWHA began deer harvesting and exercising Haudensaunee hunting rights in 2010 in DundasValley, in Hamilton, Ontario, and for the first time in Short Hills, St. Catharines, Ontario, during the 2012-2013 hunting season. In both parks, a lack of predators has led to an overblown deer population putting strain on the local ecosystems. The HWHA accomodates Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) during their hunts as an effort to help conserve the parks. The deer meat goes to longhouses for ceremonies. Last season 37 deer were taken from DundasValley and seven were taken from Short Hills.

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The Nanfan Treaty 1701 – Hoax of History

Posted on May 22, 2013 by lechbiegalski

With the Author’s permission, we are presenting, below, two documents meticulously researched and compiled by Thomas Kennedy, member of the Ontario Historical Society, St. Catherines Historical Society, Ontario Genealogical Society, and McMaster ’50.

Kennedy’s work clearly demonstrates that the so called “Nanfan Treaty” does not reflect true historical facts. It is, instead, a false term fabricated and used for fraudulent political reasons.

Based on this and on our earlier publications on this topic, we strongly recommend that the Hamilton Conservation Authority reviews and corrects its position on the annual deer hunting in Dundas Valley Conservation Area. “Nanfan Treaty” is historically flawed and should be legally invalid. All agreements and protocols based on this hoax should be immediately challenged and revoked.

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