Indigenous Group Clears Cottagers' Barricades at Ipperwash Beach

There's been a major shake-up at Ipperwash Beach, and it's turning heads. Over the weekend, an Indigenous group from the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation took things into their own hands by removing barricades and dune-grass plantings put up by local cottagers.

The makeshift buffers, set along a 1.7-kilometre stretch of beach between West Ipperwash and Centre Side roads, were installed by cottagers to protect their kids and grandkids from vehicles driving along the sand. However, the Indigenous group felt this was a direct infringement on their collective rights.

Using chainsaws and heavy machinery, the group made their intentions clear. A letter they handed out to property owners described these barriers as 'a direct and egregious infringement on the collective rights of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.'

The letter also pointed to various court decisions upholding Indigenous peoples' rights to access and use navigable waters for traditional purposes. It served as a warning: rebuild the barricades and face legal action.

The confrontation was a long time coming. Tensions have been simmering for years, with property owners claiming deeds that extend their land to the water's edge. Trying to maintain a buffer from increasing beach traffic, cottagers erected logs and plantings, but these actions have led to rising tensions.

Although things got heated on Saturday, the presence of OPP provincial liaison team members helped maintain order. These teams focus on building trust and maintaining respectful dialogue between police and communities.

Kimberly Bressette, Chief of Kettle and Stony Point, stressed that the cleanup wasn't directed by the council or administration. ‘It was a community initiative,’ she said. Despite the tension, Bressette stood by the efforts, reiterating that the land has never been surrendered.

This isn't an isolated incident. Friction over driving on the beach and blocking roads has a long history at Ipperwash. Disputes over land ownership, facilitated by a lawsuit that started in 1992, extend all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

In 2009, a settlement was mediated between the West Ipperwash Property Owners Association and the First Nation. The agreement included a provision for both sides to 'pursue ongoing dialogue' over the use and preservation of the beach.

The situation remains unresolved. While some cottagers are unhappy and fear for their safety due to increased beach traffic, others see the recent cleanup as long overdue.

Bressette mentioned that many cottagers were pleased with the efforts, though a small group remains vocally opposed. Videos circulating on social media even show Indigenous youth being harassed while riding dirt bikes on the beach.

In the wake of these events, both sides appear to be seeking common ground. Bowen mentioned that the property owners association hopes to reopen lines of communication and work toward a mutually beneficial solution.

The context of the ongoing struggle at Ipperwash Beach highlights broader issues about land rights and Indigenous claims. This particular stretch of Lake Huron's shore has been a focal point for discussions about collective rights and historical grievances.

Whether these recent actions will escalate tensions or lead to a new era of cooperation remains to be seen. For now, Ipperwash Beach stands as a microcosm for the much larger conversation about Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Canada.