In December 2021, the NGBA Board learned that John Hollick, property owner in Beaverstone Bay, on behalf of Save our Islands (SOI), submitted an application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) against the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and the Sudbury office of the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry regarding the potential transfer of area islands to Wiikwemkoong. A press release and article in The Sudbury Star indicated that “Hollick contends these islands were historically used by non-natives and their inclusion in a deal with the First Nation ignores ongoing public usage of the area.” As noted in our President’s Letter to NGBA members dated December 17, 2021, we have assured Chief Peltier and the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs that NGBA are not involved in the HRTO application and that we remain firmly committed to concluding our Agreement with Wiikwemkoong in relation to the land claim, and continuing to develop neighbourly relations. We also note that John Hollick has not been a member of NGBA for several years now.
Northern Georgian Bay Association