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What was supposed to be a day of celebration for members of the Kettle Point First Nation was marred by a scene of chaos, anger and pain as the brother of slain protester Dudley George was burned at the side of a gas-soaked protest fire.
Witnesses say Pierre George was injured when he accidentally set himself ablaze while pouring gasoline on a fire that had been set by the protesters to get the attention of people marching to celebrate the return of Camp Ipperwash.
George was taken to hospital with injuries described by Police as “serious, but non-life-threatening.”
“He was walking and speaking when medics arrived,” tweeted Colin Graf, a freelance reporter covering the dispute.
George’s brother, Dudley George, was shot and killed by police when a splinter group of about 30 members of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation occupied nearby Ipperwash Provincial Park in September 1995, claiming it contained a sacred burial ground.
The First Nation announced Saturday that it had ratified an agreement that includes a financial settlement in excess of $90 million, the return of land appropriated by the federal government in 1942 under the War Measures Act and cleanup of Stony Point lands.
The deal was opposed by a number of families in the community who had been evicted in the 1940s, because they felt the land should have been returned to them rather than to the band, a relative of Pierre George said.
The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation is located along the shores of Lake Huron, 35 kilometres northeast of Sarnia.
Chief Thomas Bressette said Saturday that now that the negotiation process is complete, the First Nation can focus on healing, and strengthening community relations.
About $20 million will be used to compensate original members of Stony Point, their ancestors and eligible band members, while $70 million will be put into a fund overseen by trustees for future development of the original Stony Point reserve.
Agencies/Canadajournal
