MAY 29, 2009

IPPERWASH CRISIS ENDS AS ONTARIO TURNS PARK OVER TO THE OJIBWE

For the duration of World War II, the Canadian Government expropriated reserve land from the Ojibwe of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation (FN) to use for military training. In the 1980s, the training facility was still in use. The First Nation sought the land’s return and claimed that adjacent Ipperwash Provincial Park contained a burial ground. On September 4, 1995, FN members occupied the Park. On September 6, police confronted protesters and a riot ensued. Alleging that gunfire came from vehicles coming to aid the protesters—a claim disputed by the protesters–police fired on the vehicles wounding 2 protesters and killing Dudley George, an unarmed Ojibwa protestor. The officer who shot George was later convicted of criminal negligence. A public inquiry began in November 2003. In December 2007, Ontario announced its intent to return the Park and, on May 28, 2009, signed over control of the park. Settlement was finalized on April 14, 2016, along with a $95 million payment.

Source:  Tabitha Marshall, “Ipperwash Crisis,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 8/14/2013.  Retrieved 7/12/2019, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ipperwash-crisis

Map: NordNordWest, 7/26/2009.  Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation, Southern Ontario near border with Michigan on Lake Huron. Permissive Use.  Modification (addition of star) by R. J. Sheehan.