Press Release: STONEY POINT FIRST NATIONS Jan 6, 1992
On the 12th December 1991, a delegation of Stoney Point
First Nations Band led by Chief Robert George and Councillor
Maynard T. George, went before the Federal Government Standing
Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and testified concerning their
position related to the lands of the former Stoney Point Reserve
(now Canadian Forces Base Ipperwash), Southwestern Ontario.
In advancing their position the delegation presented a
comprehensive report relating specifically to incidents of
history that have had an adverse effect on the people of the
Ojibway of the Stoney Point First Nations.
The delegation testified that they took the position that in
1942 the Department of National Defence improperly expropriated
the Stoney Point Reserve and re-located the residents to the
nearby Kettle Point Reserve. Originally the land was taken to
establish an advanced military training base, once discontinued
for that purpose it should have and must be returned to the
rightful owners and heirs of the Stoney Point Band.
Furthermore the delegation submitted that in 1951 the
federal government unilaterally withdrew the right of the Stoney
Band to vote on their own band council representation, in effect
attempting to annex it with the Kettle Point Community. In
response to this act of 1951 the delegation which represents a
growing membership of 350 individuals took the position that
neither they or their forefathers have agreed to such a move and
therefore continue to retain their right to elect their own
council.
Furthermore, the delegation submitted that in the early
1980's federal government representatives entered into an
agreement with members of the Kettle Point and Stoney Point
bands. This act was in violation of the exclusive right of the
owners and heirs of the Stoney Point Lands to alone make
agreement in relation to the land in question.
The presentation referred to the many hardships that the
people of Stoney Point have experienced since their removal from
the land of their forefathers 50 years ago. The delegation
expressed a concern for the adverse effect that the 1942 move has
had on the people of Kettle Point, in particular, the consumption
of their lands to accommodate the newcomers.
The delegation concluded their presentation by demanding the
immediate transfer of the Stoney Point land from the Department
of National Defence to the Department of Indian Affairs which
should return it to the Stoney Point Band. In addition
assistance should be given to the band to re-establish itself on
the land. Compensation for both the dispossessed Stoney Point
people and the infringed Kettle Point people was requested.
Officials of the Department of National Defence who made a
presentation outlining the reasons for continued retention of the
land for military purposes didn't remain to hear the presentation
of the Stoney Point delegation. Stoney Point members saw this
move as an act of "Wilful Blindness" on the part of the armed
forces. The Stoney Point delegation felt that the reasons that
the DND put forward in an effort to retain the land were
unreasonable and not well accepted by some members of the
Standing Committee.
In conclusion the Stoney Point band will increase their
efforts to see that the land is returned and justice is done.
For further information contact;
Chief Robert George or Maynard T. George at:
RR #2, FOREST ON N0N 1J0
Tel: (519)786-6598
Fax: (519)786-6818