UPDATE: Land Claim Settlement with Saugeen First Nation moves forward

As part of the terms of the Land Claim settlement with Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, together known as Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), the Town of Saugeen Shores has declared a portion of land at 229 Turner Street as surplus in order to make a transfer to SON possible.

The parcel also known as Oak-Birch Park lies between Turner Street and County Road 13 (Sauble Causeway).

A sanitary sewer pump station sits on the land in the northwest corner which will be  retained by the Town, with the remainder of the land transferred to SON as part of the settlement.

“This is an important part of the long-standing land claim settlement between the Town of Saugeen Shores and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “It’s critical to recognize and contribute land as part of that settlement and Saugeen Shores is doing that.  It helps to move our relationship with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation into a better place than it has been in the past.”

(L-R)Chief Lester Anoquot, Saugeen First Nation, Chief Veronica Smith, Chippewas of Nawash and Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Saugeen Shores
“Being able to reach a resolution outside of the court process allowed us to come to an agreement that recognizes the Saugeen Ojibway’s connection to our traditional lands, and also the importance of the relationship that we have and will continue to build with Saugeen Shores.” said Chief Lester Anoquot (Saugeen First Nation). 
“On behalf of the Chippewas of Nawash, we accept the land offered by the Town of Saugeen Shores. This is truly a demonstration of the good faith and on-going work we must continue together towards Truth & Reconciliation, and the settlement of the Saugeen Ojibway Land Claim.” said Chief Veronica Smith (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation).
“Reaching the land settlement agreement with SON was a highlight of 2021,” said Luke Charbonneau, Mayor of the Town of Saugeen Shores. “Each step forward is a significant one on our journey to reconciliation with our neighbours. We look forward to working with SON on further initiatives in coming months.”
In addition to providing this property to SON, in the Agreement, the Town also approved financial compensation and a commitment for ongoing municipal support for housing development. The Town also acknowledged the need for reconciliation and protection of the Indigenous significance of other lands in the Summerside development that were recently transferred to the Town.  In 2022, Saugeen Shores will work with SON to name these lands in the Summerside development and provide a permanent installation to recognize the lands significance to the SON community.  
SON launched a claim related to some of the lands on the Peninsula 25 years ago against Canada and Ontario. The case is about the actions of the British Crown who, in 1836, pressed SON to surrender 1.5 million acres of its lands south of Owen Sound. In exchange, SON says that the Crown made an important promise: to protect the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula for SON, forever.
But, 18 years later the Crown came back for a surrender of the Peninsula.  The treaty, unfortunately, was not honoured as written on October 13, 1854, where it said …
“We wish it to be clearly understood that we wish the Peninsula at the mouth of the Saugeen River to the west of of the western boundary aforesaid to be be laid out in town-park lots and sold for our benefit without delay”. 
Therefore, SON received no monetary compensation for the land.
SON’s legal action says that this was a breach of the duty the Crown owed to SON, and that the Crown misled SON in the negotiations leading up to the surrender. It seeks the return of lands on the Peninsula that are still owned by Ontario or Canada or have not been bought and paid for by third parties.  As such, SON’s claim also includes some municipal road allowances and shore road allowances. That includes roads owned by Saugeen Shores.
An agreement between Saugeen Shores and SON would settle the portion of the claim against Saugeen Shores, but the claim will continue against Canada, Ontario and other municipalities. 
The trial began in April 2019, and closing arguments were heard in October 2020. To date, no decision has been released.