CPTnet
Cape Croker, Ontario - DESECRATED BURIAL GROUNDS
Sept. 10, 1998
by Doug Pritchard

The Chippewas of Nawash are worried about their ancient burial
sites. During a visit by Christian Peacemaker Teams Ontario Sept.
1-3 to their territory at Cape Croker, 230 km. north of Toronto,
Ontario, they described some of their difficulties.

When the Chippewas surrendered most of their lands in the treaty
of 1857, the Canadian government promised to protect their sacred
burial ground at Owen Sound. Over the years the government
allowed the gravesites to be looted, at least one body was
removed to a museum, and in 1988 two houses were built on top of
the burial grounds. After repeated protests the government
returned the burial ground to the Chippewas' control in 1992 and
the houses were removed.

In 1997 Robert Booth discovered human remains from an ancient
aboriginal burial on his cottage property at Sauble Beach. He
failed to report the find as required under Ontario's 1992
Cemeteries Act and was charged. First Nations people were hopeful
that the courts might register the first conviction under the new
Cemeteries Act for disturbing an aboriginal burial site. However
the charges against Booth were dismissed in August 1998.

This summer, another aboriginal burial site was uncovered when a
local cottage road at Dunk Pt. was washed out. Again the
Chippewas were hopeful that this burial site would now be
protected. However the provincial Registrar of Cemeteries ruled
it was an "irregular aboriginal burial site" and merited no
protection. The remains were removed and reburied with no notice
given to First Nations people.

The Chippewas believe there are many more aboriginal burial sites
on the Bruce Peninsula. If current landowners and governments do
not respect these places as sacred to First Nations peoples, then
conflicts will multiply.