The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation has ratified the final settlement agreement negotiated with the federal government for the return of the former Camp Ipperwash.
Eligible voting members of the First Nation voted on Friday to accept the terms of the agreement which includes a financial settlement offer in excess of $90-million. It also includes the return and cleanup of Stony Point lands, including Camp Ipperwash. The 2,200 acre former camp, expropriated in 1942 for establishment of a military training base, was to be returned at the end of the war but military personnel didn’t withdraw from the property until First Nations members reoccupied it in July 1995.
$70-million of the settlement would be put into a fund overseen by trustees for future development of the original Stony Point reserve.
About $20-million would be used to compensate original members of Stony Point, their ancestors and eligible band members.
The First Nation was celebrating the agreement with a "Going Home Walk" at Kettle Point Plaza Sunday.
