Camp Ipperwash
Encyclopedia
Military Camp Ipperwash (also Camp Ipperwash) is a former Canadian Forces
training facility located in Lambton County
, Ontario
near Kettle Point.
and expropriated the property, with the expropriation agreement indicating that the property would be returned to the First Nation when it was no longer needed for a military purpose.
(DND) identified a requirement for an army training facility in southwestern Ontario. In February 1942, DND began investigating land on the shore of Lake Huron
northeast of Sarnia
adjacent to Ipperwash Provincial Park
(est. in 1936). This property was a large parcel comprising the eastern third of the Stoney Point Reserve, controlled by the Chippewas Stoney Point First Nation.
Camp Ipperwash was formed on January 28, 1942 with the A29 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (A29 CITC) being the lodger unit. Following the land expropriation, buildings and a firing range were constructed on the property that spring and summer. By July 1942, 16 Stony Point families had been moved further west to Kettle Point, giving DND full access to the new military training area. A29 CITC served as a "boot camp" or basic training centre for army recruits from southwestern Ontario (Military District #1) and ceased operations in 1945.
Following the end of World War II
, DND indicated it was willing to return the majority of the expropriated land and would lease back any areas that were still required for training, however this offer was refused. It was generally thought that Camp Ipperwash would be identified as surplus to DND's requirements, which would enable the expropriated property to be returned to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point. However, this was not the case and Camp Ipperwash remained in use as a training facility by the regular and reserve forces of the Canadian Army, as well as serving as a cadet summer training centre (CSTC) for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets
beginning in 1948.
, Camp Ipperwash saw use as the "Home Depot" of the 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalion, which unit later adopted the name of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
. Following the Korean War
, Camp Ipperwash saw continued use as a training facility by regular and reserve army personnel as well as army cadets.
on February 1, 1968 saw Camp Ipperwash remain with its current name, unlike many other CF facilities which were renamed Canadian Forces Base
(CFB) or Canadian Forces Station (CFS). In 1972, the Minister of Indian Affairs stated the land claim for the expropriation was valid, however DND still did not relinquish control.
Through the 1970s to 1993, Ipperwash saw use as a firing range training facility for the CFB London
-based 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
(1 RCR), Primary Reserve units, local and provincial police and the Canadian Cadet Movement
. Because of the occupation of portions of the camp during the summer of 1993, the cadet summer training centre eventually moved from Camp Ipperwash to CFB Borden
in 1994.
was claimed by the Stoney Point First Nation and was reputed to contain a burial ground.
Several protests occurred over the land issue during the late 1980s and early 1990s as the Canadian Forces began to examine and identify surplus property following the end of the Cold War
. During the early 1990s, rumours began circulating about the impending move of the 1 RCR based in London to CFB Petawawa
, thereby drastically reducing usage of IRTA.
In May 1993, members of the Stoney point First Nation began an occupation of the property, setting up tents on the firing ranges in a bid to pressure the federal government to revert ownership.
All military training at IRTA (by then reduced to local reserve and cadet units) ceased at that time. The military identified IRTA as surplus and agreed to transfer the facility to the Stoney Point First Nation by 1995.
The caretaker staff departed on July 29, 1995 when the Canadian Forces decommissioned the facility. Following the military's departure, native protesters occupying the property became more vocal over the following days and weeks in demanding the ownership be reverted.
The week following Labour Day
saw the occupation on IRTA and the adjacent Ipperwash Provincial Park
become a flashpoint in First Nation relations with the federal government and the government of Ontario.
The shooting death of Stoney Point First Nation protester Dudley George by the Ontario Provincial Police
has come to be known as the Ipperwash Crisis
.
The federal government and Stoney Point First Nation reached an agreement on the transfer of the IRTA on June 18, 1998, however the Stoney Point First Nation has yet to reach an agreement with the provincial government on the transfer of Ipperwash Provincial Park.
Most of the World War II era "temporary" buildings on IRTA remain, however some are in use by the Stoney Point First Nation.
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
training facility located in Lambton County
Lambton County, Ontario
Lambton County is a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario. The county is located in Southwestern Ontario. It is bordered on the north by Lake Huron, which flows into the St. Clair River, the county's western border and part of the Canada-United States border. To the south is Lake...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
near Kettle Point.
Geography
The shore frontage of this parcel, including the park immediately to the west, had been sold to non-aboriginal interests in 1927-1928 (the Crawford/White and the Scott purchases). The property for the park was purchased in 1932 and established in 1936. In April 1942, DND sought a voluntary surrender of the remaining property of the reserve behind these parcels to the east of the provincial park, however they were refused. DND then used the War Measures ActWar Measures Act
The War Measures Act was a Canadian statute that allowed the government to assume sweeping emergency powers in the event of "war, invasion or insurrection, real or apprehended"...
and expropriated the property, with the expropriation agreement indicating that the property would be returned to the First Nation when it was no longer needed for a military purpose.
Military Camp Formation
In 1941 the Department of National DefenceDepartment of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
(DND) identified a requirement for an army training facility in southwestern Ontario. In February 1942, DND began investigating land on the shore of Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
northeast of Sarnia
Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
adjacent to Ipperwash Provincial Park
Ipperwash Provincial Park
Ipperwash Provincial Park is a provincial park on the shores of southern Lake Huron in Lambton County, Ontario.Located near Grand Bend, the 56 hectare, or , park was established in 1936. It contains a long sandy beach on the lakeshore, as well as rare flowers and sand dunes...
(est. in 1936). This property was a large parcel comprising the eastern third of the Stoney Point Reserve, controlled by the Chippewas Stoney Point First Nation.
Camp Ipperwash was formed on January 28, 1942 with the A29 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (A29 CITC) being the lodger unit. Following the land expropriation, buildings and a firing range were constructed on the property that spring and summer. By July 1942, 16 Stony Point families had been moved further west to Kettle Point, giving DND full access to the new military training area. A29 CITC served as a "boot camp" or basic training centre for army recruits from southwestern Ontario (Military District #1) and ceased operations in 1945.
Following the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, DND indicated it was willing to return the majority of the expropriated land and would lease back any areas that were still required for training, however this offer was refused. It was generally thought that Camp Ipperwash would be identified as surplus to DND's requirements, which would enable the expropriated property to be returned to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point. However, this was not the case and Camp Ipperwash remained in use as a training facility by the regular and reserve forces of the Canadian Army, as well as serving as a cadet summer training centre (CSTC) for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets
Royal Canadian Army Cadets
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Army Cadet League of Canada. Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence with the civilian partner providing support in...
beginning in 1948.
Korean War
During the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Camp Ipperwash saw use as the "Home Depot" of the 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalion, which unit later adopted the name of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada is a militia regiment within the Canadian Forces, based in Toronto, Ontario. The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. It is the only Primary Reserve regiment in Canada to have a parachute role. The regiment consists of the reserve...
. Following the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Camp Ipperwash saw continued use as a training facility by regular and reserve army personnel as well as army cadets.
Use after Unification
The unification of the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
on February 1, 1968 saw Camp Ipperwash remain with its current name, unlike many other CF facilities which were renamed Canadian Forces Base
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
(CFB) or Canadian Forces Station (CFS). In 1972, the Minister of Indian Affairs stated the land claim for the expropriation was valid, however DND still did not relinquish control.
Through the 1970s to 1993, Ipperwash saw use as a firing range training facility for the CFB London
CFB London
Canadian Forces Base London is a former Canadian Forces Base that was located in London, Ontario, Canada. It was downsized and closed during defence budget cutbacks in the 1990s...
-based 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
(1 RCR), Primary Reserve units, local and provincial police and the Canadian Cadet Movement
Canadian Cadet Movement
The Canadian Cadet Organizations, marketed under the term Cadets Canada, are youth cadet programs known as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, and Air Cadets...
. Because of the occupation of portions of the camp during the summer of 1993, the cadet summer training centre eventually moved from Camp Ipperwash to CFB Borden
CFB Borden
Canadian Forces Base Borden is a Canadian Forces base located in Ontario.The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, CFB Borden is the largest training facility in the Canadian Forces...
in 1994.
Ipperwash Crisis
During the late 1980s, the Stoney Point First Nation began to pressure the federal and provincial governments to revert ownership of the entire property as per the 1941 expropriation agreement. The adjacent land at Ipperwash Provincial ParkIpperwash Provincial Park
Ipperwash Provincial Park is a provincial park on the shores of southern Lake Huron in Lambton County, Ontario.Located near Grand Bend, the 56 hectare, or , park was established in 1936. It contains a long sandy beach on the lakeshore, as well as rare flowers and sand dunes...
was claimed by the Stoney Point First Nation and was reputed to contain a burial ground.
Several protests occurred over the land issue during the late 1980s and early 1990s as the Canadian Forces began to examine and identify surplus property following the end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. During the early 1990s, rumours began circulating about the impending move of the 1 RCR based in London to CFB Petawawa
CFB Petawawa
Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, commonly referred to as CFB Petawawa, or simply "Pet", is a Canadian Forces Base located in Petawawa, Ontario. It is operated as an army base by Canadian Forces Land Force Command.-Base facts:...
, thereby drastically reducing usage of IRTA.
In May 1993, members of the Stoney point First Nation began an occupation of the property, setting up tents on the firing ranges in a bid to pressure the federal government to revert ownership.
All military training at IRTA (by then reduced to local reserve and cadet units) ceased at that time. The military identified IRTA as surplus and agreed to transfer the facility to the Stoney Point First Nation by 1995.
The caretaker staff departed on July 29, 1995 when the Canadian Forces decommissioned the facility. Following the military's departure, native protesters occupying the property became more vocal over the following days and weeks in demanding the ownership be reverted.
The week following Labour Day
Labour Day
Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
saw the occupation on IRTA and the adjacent Ipperwash Provincial Park
Ipperwash Provincial Park
Ipperwash Provincial Park is a provincial park on the shores of southern Lake Huron in Lambton County, Ontario.Located near Grand Bend, the 56 hectare, or , park was established in 1936. It contains a long sandy beach on the lakeshore, as well as rare flowers and sand dunes...
become a flashpoint in First Nation relations with the federal government and the government of Ontario.
The shooting death of Stoney Point First Nation protester Dudley George by the Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
has come to be known as the Ipperwash Crisis
Ipperwash Crisis
The Ipperwash Crisis was an Indigenous land dispute that took place in Ipperwash Provincial Park, Ontario in 1995. Several members of the Stoney Point Ojibway band occupied the park in order to assert their claim to nearby land which had been expropriated from them during World War II...
.
The federal government and Stoney Point First Nation reached an agreement on the transfer of the IRTA on June 18, 1998, however the Stoney Point First Nation has yet to reach an agreement with the provincial government on the transfer of Ipperwash Provincial Park.
Most of the World War II era "temporary" buildings on IRTA remain, however some are in use by the Stoney Point First Nation.
External links
- Indepth: Ipperwash from CBC NewsCBC NewsCBC News is the department within the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the news gathering and production of news programs on CBC television, radio and online services...