Big economic development plans for Kettle and Stony Point

By Greg Plain

KETTLE AND STONY POINT FIRST NATION – Chief Thomas Bressette says that his community will be seeing great things in their economic future.

Kettle and Stony Point (KSP), while waiting for the former Ipperwash military camp lands to be returned officially to the community, is in planning mode to develop a  hotel and conference centre along Lakeshore Road.

“We’re talking with hotel chains that are interested in moving their chains to First Nations communities,” says Chief Bressette of the venture that will be adjacent to the community’s thriving Indian Hills Golf Club.

The former Ipperwash Provincial Park is also expected to see new development.

KSP is looking to creat a cultural heritage centre on the returned land.  The facility, which will be complete with an “Ojibway Village” complex, will be complemented by nature and historic trails, as well as a place for cultural events and activities.

Aboriginal architect Douglas Cardinal who designed the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec, has already been brought on for some projects including a design for a new clubhouse for the golf course operation.

The local economy could certainly use a boost with the creation of a hotel and conference centre.

Chief Bressette says, “I don’t know how they could not buy in, they need jobs too.”

While the proposed hotel and heritage centre would be an economic venture, the main thought behind the cultural centre is about educating the public about First Nations communities.  It would be a place to tell the real history of our accomplishments and the assistance we gave to the British Crown in the War of 1812 – as well as the confirmed presence of our people within the territory since time immemorial.

Chief Bressette and fellow community representatives plan to travel shortly to other First Nations communities who already have hotels and other tourism developments on site.