KENORA – Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the death of Dudley George, a member of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation who was killed during a protest at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995:
“Our government remains focused on the recommendations of the Ipperwash Inquiry and improving relationships with Indigenous peoples to ensure tragedies, like the one at Ipperwash Park, never happen again.
The Ipperwash Inquiry resulted in a number of recommendations that helped redefine Ontario’s relationship with Indigenous communities, leading to the development of a standalone Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and the establishment of the New Relationship Fund. Our government continues to address the longstanding and complex issues outlined in the report by strengthening relationships, resolving land claims and advancing reconciliation efforts.
It is in this spirit that Ontario recently completed the transfer of the former Ipperwash Park lands to Canada, enabling the addition of these lands to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation’s reserve, effective August 25, 2020. The addition of these lands to the reserve will create new opportunities for economic and community development for the First Nation.
Our government is committed to listening to the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and to expanding social and economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for all First Nation, Inuit and Métis people living in Ontario. By doing so, we are building a stronger province for all Ontarians.”
