"If people analyzed this deal they would see how badly we've been treated by the government of this county," he said, describing it as "bittersweet" for his people. ![]() In spite of his support for the agreement, Bressette told reporters before Sunday's incident the deal is inadequate. The vote, held almost 20 years to the day after Dudley George's shooting death by a provincial police sniper, was passed "overwhelmingly" Friday, according to a news release from the Kettle Point band. Some Stony Pointers, however, have accused Bressette of buying band members' votes by offering $5,000 to every band member whether they have Stony Point ancestry or not. The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation is located along the shores of Lake Huron, 35 kilometres northeast of Sarnia, Ont.Ĭhief Thomas Bressette said Saturday that now that the negotiation process is complete, the First Nation can focus on healing and strengthening community relations.īressette has promised payments to all band members with larger amounts to the Stony Point elders and their descendants. 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 a cleanup of Stony Point lands. 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. They describe George's burns as serious, but not life-threatening. Ontario Provincial Police say they are investigating the incident. ![]() The two set the fire to show not all band members support the agreement. George was to be taken from a Sarnia hospital to a burn unit in London, Ont., with second-degree burns on his hands, ears, and neck, according to Jesse Oliver, a Stony Pointer who helped him set the protest fire. Quickly removing his shirt, George was walking and talking to supporters while an ambulance was called. Some said he caught fire when the can was kicked back at him. Other band members tried to put out the fire with small water containers, and onlookers say Perry (Pierre) Neil Watson George, 61,was trying to pour a portable gas can on the fire to re-ignite it when the can fell and flames rushed up his arms and across his chest. Some descendants of the 16 families from the army camp lands, known as Stony Point, set a protest fire in front of the camp gatehouse. ![]() The walk was meant to celebrate the agreement with Ottawa for the land, which was meant to unite different factions within the band and give compensation to elders and their families who were moved to make way for the base during the Second World War. Kettle Point members were holding a four-kilometre walk on Sunday from their land, near Sarnia, Ont., to the site of a former army camp that's scheduled to be returned to the band. Dudley George memorial unveiled at Ipperwash. ![]() 20 years after Ipperwash crisis, First Nation accepts offer.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.
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