Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) Chief Conrad Ritchie has hailed the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on Sauble Beach as a historic and deeply meaningful victory for his community.
The court upheld SON's ownership of the northern portion of Sauble Beach, affirming treaty rights that had been contested for generations. The ruling grants the First Nation full jurisdiction over approximately 2.2 kilometers of beach north of Main Street.
"This is a huge and historic victory for Saugeen," Chief Ritchie said. “For generations, we’ve fought to have this part of the beach recognized as part of our reserve. It’s an exciting time, bringing a lot of positive news for our community and our people."
While the decision firmly establishes Saugeen’s ownership, Ritchie emphasized the importance of preserving the beach as a beloved destination for both residents and visitors. "We understand the beach’s significance to others, including tourists. As stewards of the land, we’ll uphold our traditions while keeping the beach open to the public, enhancing it as both a community and tourist destination," he said.
This legal milestone comes alongside another significant development: the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) announced its decision to site its Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) near Ignace, rather than within SON’s territory in South Bruce. The proposed DGR had raised long-standing concerns about the safety of nuclear waste stored near SON lands.
While the decision relieves immediate fears, Chief Ritchie warned that the issue remains far from resolved.
"The waste issue doesn’t go away just because construction is happening elsewhere,” he noted. “There’s still nuclear waste in our treaty territory."
Reflecting on these challenges, Ritchie stressed the importance of including Indigenous voices in decision-making processes.
"When Anishinaabe voices are absent from the table, we all pay a price," he said. "Our worldview is deeply tied to the land, water, and everything around us. Ignoring those understandings leads to decisions that harm everyone, including the environment and future generations."
As SON looks to the future, Chief Ritchie highlighted the critical role of protecting the environment and ensuring treaty rights are upheld in future projects.
"Most of the energy in this region is produced on our treaty land," he said. "As new developments arise, we’ll continue to advocate for our voices to be included. Indigenous perspectives benefit not just our community but also the environment and all people."
Ritchie also reflected on the global implications of Indigenous leadership in combating climate change.
"The climate is changing rapidly because people have forgotten the laws and understandings of working with the earth,” he said. “It’s December, and it should be much colder. Business as usual isn’t sustainable."
With these pivotal issues behind them, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation is poised to tackle future challenges while protecting the land and water that sustain them.
"We’re very active in addressing issues within our treaty territory," Chief Ritchie said. "We look forward to continuing the work, ensuring our rights are respected and the environment is safeguarded for generations to come."