The headquarters of the Kawartha Lakes First Nation sits off a road 160km northeast of Toronto. Between ads for all-terrain vehicles, hand-scrawled messages on the three buildings decry government corruption.
At the centre of the lot stands a tipi. Alongside banners commemorating missing and murdered Indigenous women and the victims of Canada's residential school system, Confederate flags flap gently in the wind.
To its 20 members, this is the heart of Canada's newest First Nation. But seven local Indigenous chiefs claim it is the site of a brazen fraud that threatens to erode their hard-fought constitutional rights.
In recent years, Canada has grappled with a spate of "pretendian" cases - in which people falsely claim Indigenous identity. The use of Indigenous symbols and slogans has also grown increasingly common among the country's far right.
Members of Kawartha Lakes First Nation argue they are exempt from laws and taxes, echoing the rhetoric of the extremist sovereign citizens movement in the US, and their emergence has raised concerns over how groups may use Indigenous identity to lay claim to land or demand government concessions.
About two months ago, William Denby, the self-proclaimed "chief" of the Kawartha group, began emailing local chiefs, and municipal and provincial officials. Denby protested against the destruction of farmland for housing developments and made broad allegations of corruption. He said he was the hereditary leader of a forgotten Indigenous nation and claimed his group had rights to nearly 15,000 sq km of land.
At first, Taynar Simpson, the chief of Alderville First Nation, ignored the near-daily emails. But then, he said: "Against my better judgment, I decided to respond."
Esta historia es de la edición May 17, 2024 de The Guardian Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 17, 2024 de The Guardian Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The Drugs Trade How Big Is The Problem-And Who Is Paying The Price?
Over the past 10 years, Europe has developed a serious cocaine problem. The drug, originating in the jungles of South America, is being transported, sold and consumed across the European continent in record amounts.
Calamitous floods made more likely by global heating
The unusually prolonged and extensive flooding that has devastated southern Brazil was made at least twice as likely by human burning of fossil fuels and trees, a study has shown.
Paddington is back-and he's gone immersive
The bear from darkest Peru has donned his wellies and duffle coat for a live experience’ that is halftheatre, half-party, with lashings of marmalade
Elections are a travesty of democracy-give the people a real voice George Monbiot
Everything hangs on them but little changes. For weeks or months, elections dominate national life.
Keeping the peace
Military service for 18-year-olds is a key Tory election pledge in the UK.But in countries with conscription, opting out comes at a cost. Michael Segalov asks seven conscientious objectors why they refused to serve in the armed forces
How steroids got huge
Once upon atime, it was only hardcore bodybuilders who pumped themselves up with testosterone. Today it is no longer niche. But how dangerous is it?
Tijuana border feels weight of Biden's order on closure
Every year, waves of people from around the world make their way to southern California to start a new life and find safe harbour.
Catania turns the tables on invasive blue crabs
In a suburb of Catania on Sicily's east coast, smoke billows from street stands selling grilled horse meat, and youngsters gather around kiosks selling the region's unique handmade drink, seltz limone esale (seltzer with lemon and sea salt).
Friends reunited Football and a troubled continent
Europe is suffering a crisis of identity but for four weeks the Euro 2024 tournament offers a kernel of something pure
Could this be the end of the Tories?
Even before last week, the party's prospects were grim. Nowsome believe it faces a wipeout that would reshape the UK political landscape