Chris Friel, the mayor of Brantford, is expressing frustration over the slow state of settling aboriginal land claims in the area.

Friel is frustrated with the federal government, saying it has been unable to stop the protests that continue to happen in the city.

"The federal government is silly," he says. "They treat us like children."

Friel adds "The federal government has completely abdicated its responsibility for dealing with land claim issues with First Nations communities in the Grand River watershed."

The outburst was sparked by a weekend protest that saw a group of Mohawk marchers stake a claim on a property set for redevelopment in the city's south end.

The area, called the ‘Greenwich-Mohawk' lands, is a former industrial site that the city is rehabilitating. But protestors say they want it cleaned up more naturally.

But Friel says "The truth is this is industrial land that ahs been in use for over 100 years and some of the chemicals are not going to be cleaned up with alfalfa and poplar trees and these lovely ideas."

Brant MP Phil McColeman says "[Friel] is talking from a sense of frustration that many people feel, but to be as bold as he's been towards blaming the federal government is misdirected."

It isn't the first time a Brantford development has face this type of protest.

After a similar incident in 2008, the city sought a legal injunction against aboriginal protestors.

The injunction was granted last November, but only applies to a handful of specific properties, and not the Greenwich-Mohawk development.

"They're just going to go back and protest anyway. And you arrest them 10 times -- well that's what they want to have happen," Friel says.

The federal and provincial governments are currently negotiating 28 land claims with Six Nations.

According to McColeman all parties were last at the table 14 months ago, but despite a lack of formal discussions since then, he insists the work is ongoing.

Still, Friel isn't satisfied with the action the federal government has taken so far, "This is your mess," he says. "This is your mess that you created over a couple hundred years. Come here, solve your problems, or otherwise you're going to shut down the City of Brantford."