IPPERWASH, Ont. — The brother of an aboriginal protester shot dead by police 20 years ago has been injured while protesting a settlement deal for lands in southwestern Ontario that were appropriated by the federal government during the Second World War.
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.
He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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 Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation is located along the shores of Lake Huron, 35 kilometres northeast of Sarnia, Ont.
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.
The officer who shot Dudley George was later convicted of criminal negligence causing death and an inquiry found the government of former Ontario premier Mike Harris, Ottawa and the Ontario Provincial Police all bore responsibility for the events that led to George’s death.
In his final report in 2007, Ipperwash inquiry commissioner Sidney Linden called for the disputed land to be returned immediately to the Stony Point First Nation, along with compensation.
The Canadian Press
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