A historic signing ceremony on April 14th marked the official return of
the Camp Ipperwash lands by the federal government to the Chippewas of
Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
The signing comes 74 years after the 2,200 acre site was appropriated
by the government under the War Measures Act for a military base.
The final settlement agreement includes the return and cleanup of the land and a financial settlement of over $90-million.
Kettle and Stony Point Chief Tom Bressette says it is a new beginning for the First Nation community.
“We’ve endured a lot, but we must turn the page. We have a government
that is really reaching out and trying to work with us, so I want to
acknowledge that,” he says.
About $20-million of the settlement will be used to compensate
original members of Stony Point, their descendants and eligible band
members.
Another $70-million will be put into a fund overseen by trustees for future development of the original Stony Point reserve.
Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan says his department will
work respectfully with the community to clean up and safely return the
Stony Point lands.
He expects an investigation to wrap up shortly identifying any possible undetonated explosives and environmental concerns.
“We have finally arrived at an agreement to right a longstanding wrong,” says Sajjan.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett noted the
importance of the ceremony. She expects young community members to
share this piece of history with their children and great grandchildren.
Minister Bennett and Sajjan took part in the official signing with Chief Bressette.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde.
What happened in 1993-95?
The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation had sought the
return of the Camp Ipperwash lands since the end of the Second World
War.
In 1993, some members of the First Nation began an occupation of the
property and in September of 1995, protester Dudley George was shot and
killed by a police officer after a splinter group of about 30 protesters
occupied nearby Ipperwash Provincial Park, claiming it contained a
sacred burial ground.
The officer was later convicted of criminal negligence causing death
and an inquiry found the government of Ontario, Ottawa and the Ontario
Provincial Police all bore responsibility for the events that led to
George's death.
In his final report in 2007, Ipperwash inquiry commissioner Sidney
Linden called for the disputed land to be returned immediately to the
Stony Point First Nation, along with compensation.
The settlement that was formally signed Thursday specifies that work
will be done to ensure the land which was used by the military for 50
years — the military withdrew from the base in July 1995 — is safe and
environmentally sound.
That process is to include clearing the land of unexploded military
devices such as bombs or grenades and the preservation of the sensitive
local environment and sacred cultural sites.
"Dudley George died for what’s being commemorated today," said
Michael Bryant, chief negotiator for the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony
Point First Nation and former Ontario minister of aboriginal affairs.
Tensions surrounding the long standing land dispute between Canada
and the First Nation led to the fatal police shooting of Dudley George
in September 1995 after a group of protesters occupied nearby Ipperwash
Provincial Park.
After a lengthy inquiry into the shooting, commissioner Sidney Linden
called for the disputed land to be returned, along with compensation.
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