Land claim protest at Pinery persists
Nearly two weeks in, trailer has been moved to block part of provincial park entrance
A trailer is now blocking part of the entrance to Pinery Provincial Park, two weeks after the park announced it was closing to the public as demonstrators asserted a land claim.
The park announced Nov. 9 that “a few individuals” informed the ministry of their intent to prevent access to and take possession of the provincial park. Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, said that Maynard George, who has asserted a land claim to the park before, is behind the current attempt.
“I’ve been crystal clear that I believe the park should be open and the rule of law should be followed,” McNaughton told the Star. “I think it sets a dangerous precedent when an individual can close down a provincial park.”
The Sarnia Observer reported on Nov. 16 that George wants the land returned and a financial settlement.
“We’re put in a position where we’ve got no choice but to go forward and take back our land,” George told the Observer.
George has brought two trailers onto Pinery Provincial Park, McNaughton said. A trailer from 2014 sits vacant on the property, in addition to the trailer sitting across the laneway and blocking entrance into the park.
The park has been the site of land claim protests in the past. It is also not far from Camp Ipperwash, where a land claim demonstration turned deadly in 1995.
The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation settled that land claim with the federal government in 2015.
A spokesperson told the Star that the First Nation is not involved with the current claim at Pinery.
“The Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation has nothing to do the occupation or activities at the Pinery and this First Nation does not support the actions of the individual(s) involved,” the spokesperson said in an email.
An Indigenous family led by George has made several attempts to “repossess” Pinery Provincial Park in past years, saying the land belongs to approximately100 of his great-grandfather’s descendants.
“The individual has made a claim to the park on his own behalf,” a spokesperson for the provincial Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation told the Star on Monday.
“However, Ontario’s land claim process specifies that land claims must be submitted by the band council or governing body of the rights-bearing Indigenous community.”
Emily Kirk, press secretary for the provincial minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, told the Star that “we will continue to work with the individual.”
“These situations are complex,” Kirk said in an email. “We will continue to have working dialogue with the OPP and with the individuals as we attempt to better understand their assertions and interests.
“We know that the individuals claim the lands which include Pinery Provincial Park are rightfully theirs.”
Pinery remains closed to the public for camping and day use opportunities “until further notice,” a bulletin on the park website says.
Kirk said no long-term decision has been made regarding the park closure.
According to the 2013 Lambton Shores Tourism Report, Pinery Provincial Park has 600,000 visitors each year who account for $13.7 million in local spending.
“I think it sets a dangerous precedent when an individual can close down a provincial park.” MPP MONTE MCNAUGHTON