Canada's highest court has dismissed the Town of South Bruce Peninsula's appeal of a lower court ruling that found Saugeen First Nation was the rightful owner of the northern section of Sauble Beach.
That ruling was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal last year.
The Supreme Court of Canada's denial to hear the appeal essentially brings to an end a decades-long battle for the over two kilometre stretch of shoreline. Saugeen First Nation has ownership of the beach from Main Street in Sauble Beach, north to Sixth Street North.
The Supreme Court did not post reasons for its decision to dismiss the appeal.
Saugeen First Nation released a statement Thursday afternoon, calling the courts decision historic vindication of its treaty rights, noting the ruling marks the first legal proceedings in Canada where courts have recognized Indigenous ownership of land that was wrongfully patented and sold to private settlers.
"Generations of Saugeen people have fought tirelessly against all odds to protect and preserve this deeply important area at the heart of our traditional territory,” said Saugeen Chief Conrad Ritchie. "The beach is central to our way of life. Out of all our vast territory, this is what our ancestors chose to reserve for their families—and for us today—when they took treaty with the Crown. Achieving this legal victory after all these years is a testament to the strength and resilience of our ancestors and our community."
While the ruling solidifies land ownership, SFN said compensation issues remain outstanding. The First Nation said that resolution may be reached through negotiations or, if necessary, at a second trial.
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula said Mayor Jay Kirkland is not taking interviews at this time, and if a statement is to be issued on the matter, it will come at the September 2 council meeting.
This Canada Day, SFN changed the Sauble Beach sign to Saugeen Beach, a move which the Town of South Bruce Peninsula said blindsided them.