Understanding Ipperwash
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Treaties Matter Understanding Ipperwash Message from Chief Cloud Aannii From the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point, I am pleased to provide a brief report on the happenings in our community in relation to the Ipperwash file. First of all I would like to thank everyone in the Anishinabek Nation for your continued and on-going support for our communities of Wiikedong and Aazhoodena. We thank all the people who came out for our recent Gathering at the former Ipperwash Park on October 15 & 16, 2010. We organized this gathering to honour, thank and remember those strong ones that stood beside Dudley the night of the fatal shooting. At the Gathering, we announced that Dudley did not die in vain, for we have uncovered our ancestors’ remains in the former Ipperwash Park, through the archeological study. The study which is still on-going is being completed by Timmins Martelle Heritage Consultants Inc. whose lead archeologist is Brandy George, a member of our community. We also unveiled the monument in honour of Dudley, which was designed by his brother Pierre George-Mandoka. We shared and cried many tears as we listened to the stories of that fateful weekend in 1995. The support of Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee and Deputy Grand Chief Glen Hare is sincerely appreciated. In relation to the former Ipperwash Park, the Resolution Team continues to meet to discuss items such as the archeological study, the environmental assessment, the official survey, third party interests and matters related to the transfer of the park to the Department of Indian Affairs, which will hold the lands in trust for our people. The park itself has been officially deregulated by the Ontario government which paves the way towards transfer. We continue to work closely with the Ontario government to ensure that the transfer will be completed in as timely a fashion as possible. We also continue to work with our neighbours at the First Nation- Municipal Roundtable to address common issues. This roundtable is chaired by the area MPP Maria Van Bommel. We will strive to do things in a good way and always remember and honour the spirits of Dudley and Sam, as two brothers, one who made the ultimate sacrifice for his ancestors and one who made sure that there was justice for his brother, and then left us for the Spirit World too. They are always in our thoughts. Please keep them in your prayers. With that I say Chii-Miigwetch. Chief Elizabeth Cloud Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point Implementation of Recommendations Since the release of the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry in 2007, the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) has advocated for a partnership with the federal and provincial governments to implement the recommendations. Today, the UOI is actively involved in the implementation process. The process is carried out in collaboration with member First Nation “Sam George always said that education communities and leadership, other First Nation is the key to preventing the type of Provincial Territorial Organizations in Ontario, circumstances that led to the death and ministries within the government of of his brother Dudley at Ipperwash. Ontario. Students in Ontario schools need to learn more about the treaties we made Work is organized into the following priority with Canada and the role First Nations areas: have played in the development of this • Establishment of a Treaty Commission of country. That chapter has been missing Ontario from our textbooks.” • Consultation and Accommodation • Resource Revenue/Benefit Sharing – Anishinabek Nation • First Nations Policing Grand Council Chief • Heritage and Burial Sites Patrick Madahbee Wedaseh Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation The UOI continues to produce research, work with government and First Nation representatives, and engage and share information with Anishinabek First Nation communities as well as the wider public. 2 Ipperwash Timeline 1993: Families from the original Stoney Point community begin moving back on to the land. September 13, 1993: Citizens of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation march to protest against the expropriation of their land. September 4, 1995: After Ipperwash Provincial Park closes for the season, a group of Ipperwash beach approximately 30 protestors build barricades in Between 1818 and 1827: the Chippewa Nations the park to underline their land claim and protest conclude negotiations with the British Crown the destruction of the burial ground. Dudley regarding land, agreeing to share six million George is one of the group’s leaders. hectares and keep five parcels of land, including September 6, 1995: Ontario Provincial Police Stoney Point. (OPP) move in on the protestors during the night. 1932: Ipperwash Provincial Park is created by Shots are fired and Dudley George is shot and the province of Ontario on land that had been killed by acting Sgt. Kenneth Deane. Protestors surrendered from Stoney Point Reserve in 1928. say they were unarmed and that police used The validity of the surrender has since been unnecessary force. OPP claim that the protestors questioned. were armed which necessitated their guns and riot gear. 1937: the Chief and Council notify park authorities of a burial ground in the park and ask 1997: Deane is convicted of criminal negligence that the site be protected. causing death after court ruled he did not have “reasonable belief” George was armed; he later May 1942: 18 families from Stoney Point resigned from the OPP. are moved from their land under the War Measures Act and unilaterally merged with June 18, 1998: The federal government and Kettle Kettle Point First Nation. The confiscated land and Stony Point First Nation sign an agreement is used to create the military training camp, returning Camp Ipperwash to the band. Camp Ipperwash. The government changes the April 9, 1999: A United Nations commission on community name to Kettle and Stony Point First human rights urges the Nation. Ontario government to call a 1972: Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs public inquiry into the death (Jean Chretien) recommends that if the land is of Dudley George. The not returned to Stoney Point citizens, the band Progressive Conservative should be offered another piece of land as government of the time resists compensation –this advice was ignored saying it had nothing to do with April 16, 1992: Citizens of Kettle and Stony Point police actions of the day. serve the army with a 90-day eviction notice. Anthony “Dudley” George 3 November 12, 2003: After eight years of First of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. Nations and other groups calling for an official May 28, 2009: Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Inquiry into George’s death, the Ontario Point First Nation and the Ontario government government, under newly-elected Liberal sign an agreement to transfer the park. Premier Dalton McGuinty, announces a public inquiry into the death of Dudley George. March 1, 2010: Ontario introduces legislation to deregulate the park lands, bringing the land April 20, 2004: The Ipperwash Inquiry is transfer another step closer to finality. established to examine and report on events surrounding the death of Dudley George and October 15-16, 2010: Kettle and Stony Point make recommendations aimed at avoiding hosts a two-day Healing and Reconciliation violence in similar situations. The Union of Gathering where it is announced by Ontario Indians has official standing in Part Two. archaeologist Brandy George that human remains dating back to a 1,000 years have been May 31, 2007: The Report of the Ipperwash found at the Stoney Point dig site. Inquiry is released to the public; including 100 recommendations. Today: Cleanup of Camp Ipperwash, former military base, continues. It is estimated that the December 20, 2007: Ontario agrees to turn work will take up to 20 years to finish. over Ipperwash Provincial Park, 56 acres on the southeast shore of Lake Huron, to the Chippewas First Nations Task Force made a presentation to the Oct. 15 Remembering, Honouring, Thanking Gathering regarding the status of the recommendations that came out of the Ipperwash Inquiry Report. From left: Terry Wilson – Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Nicole Latulippe – Union of Ontario Indians, Victoria Hill – Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Diane Maracle-Nadjiwon – Independent First Nations Coordinator and Sherry Antone – Chiefs in Ontario. – Photo by Maurice Switzer 4 Recommendations for Action The Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry produced that First Nations are aware of decisions affecting 100 recommendations for implementation. Aboriginal burial and heritage sites, and promote The Union of Ontario Indians is working First Nations participation in decision-making. with other First Nation Provincial Territorial These rules and policies should eventually Organizations and various government be incorporated into provincial legislation, ministries in Ontario to implement the regulations, and other government policies as recommendations. These are some of the appropriate. key recommendations from Volume 2 , Policy Analysis: 30. The Ministry of Education should establish formal working relationships with Aboriginal organizations 1. The provincial government should establish a to promote more Aboriginal perspectives and permanent, independent and impartial agency content in the elementary and secondary school to facilitate and oversee the settling of land and curricula. treaty claims in Ontario. The agency should be called the Treaty Commission of Ontario. 37. The provincial government should establish and fund an Ontario Aboriginal Reconciliation Fund. 15. The provincial government should promote The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs should work respect and understanding of the duty to consult with First Nations and Aboriginal organizations to and accommodate within relevant provincial determine the mandate, governance structure, agencies and Ontario municipalities. funding guidelines, and administrative structure of the fund. The provincial government should 16. The provincial government should continue to commit sufficient resources to the fund to enable work with Aboriginal organizations in Ontario to it to achieve its objectives.