Dudley George died 12 years ago in the Ipperwash land dispute. The province of Ontario gave the provincial park back to First Nations.
Ipperwash Provincial Park is being returned to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nations. The dispute has been going on since 1942 when the land was obtained for a military camp called Camp Ipperwash. By 1995 it came to a head with natives occupying their land again and building barricades to protect it.
Dudley George was shot and killed 12 years ago protesting the land dispute. "I think he would be pleased. He paid the ultimate price and is not here to enjoy," George's brother, Sam, said Thursday.(CTV.ca news staff, Dec.20, 2007)
The provincial government is forming a committee and meeting with aboriginals to figure out how to proceed with the land transfer. There has been some environmental damage along with damaged relations between First Nations and the government so both need to be healed.
It’s unfortunate that Dudley George died during the dispute but his spirit, his family and the land remains to honor his memory.
For more information read Ontario Returning Ipperwash Park to Natives.
