What began as a peaceful land reclamation would turn into one of the most terrifying acts of violence and state force against unarmed people in Canada.

In part one: Bonnie Bressette was only 5 years old when a truck came to Stoney Point, and she watched as her house was loaded up onto the truck to be taken away. Her father explained the government was taking their land to build an army base, but promised to return it after the war. Legally, the government had to. They didn’t.

In episode one we hear from three generations of Stoney Pointers of how every system failed them. They explain their longing to rebuild their community and what led them to take over a military base in 1993.

The story of Stoney Point is, in many ways unique, but in many ways it is the story of every land action: unresolved, intergenerational, highly politicized by Canada, that leads to confrontations between protestors and heavily armed police. The story sets up to ask, why have these scenes become so acceptable in Canada, and is there a way out?

In this podcast: interviews include Bonnie Bressette, Caroline “Cully” George, Pierre George, Kevin Simon.

The episode is in memory of Anthony “Dudley” George.

Host: Karyn Pugliese

Credits: Karyn Pugliese (Producer), Kim Wheeler (Producer)

Stoney Pointers full story in their own words:

Our Long Struggle for Home: The Ipperwash by Aazhoodenaang Enjibaajig

Research for this episode included:

The Ipperwash Inquiry Report: A road map to better relationships between Aboriginal people and the Ontario government
One Dead Indian: The Premier, the Police, and the Ipperwash Crisis, a book by Canadian investigative journalist Peter Edwards

Sound in this podcast included:

“Fifty ways to trick a treaty” by Davd A Moses with many meegwetch-es for writing that for us, reach him on Twitter
This episode included sound from Ipperwash Land Expropriation : Hell of a Deal (1989) - The Fifth Estate and Royal Canadian Army Cadet recruiting film pt 1 - 1977

Podcast artwork by Jessie Boulard

Listen to The Salmon People, a podcast by Canada’s National Observer

CANADALANDBACK is a co-production from Canada's National Observer & Canadaland

Sponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks

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Episode description