Community Based Initiatives - Protecting the Environment

Leasing Arrangements

Objectives:

Leasing has been a part of WIFN since the early 1800's. In 1838, squatters were expelled from Walpole Island territory because fraudulent leases had reduced the amount of land available for Walpole Island people. From this time on, leases were a control mechanism on the uses of Walpole Island territory by outside non-native people. The lease controlled who leased land and the terms and conditions they were subject to.

Description:

There are various types of leases utilized on Walpole Island territory:



• Hunting leases: In 1875, the first hunting club lease to the St. Clair Flats shooting Club was established. Through the years a number of hunt clubs were set up and there are presently six hunt clubs operating in the Walpole Island marshes. The hunting leases provide for the recognition of WIFN jurisdiction over their territory especially the marshes. Leases are also a conservation tool in that they are used to regulate hunting pressure (an example is the setting of hunting hours). Hunting leases are established through the use of conditional surrenders.
  
  
• Agricultural leases: In 1911, location tickets were issued to WIFN members to designate the lands to which they held title to occupy. This system enabled community members to farm the land as their own. Many of the island farmers were successful for a while but the high cost of mechanized equipment and the difficulty for them to secure loans to purchase this equipment resulted in the decline in farming by the Island members. Unable to compete, many people turned to leasing their land to non-native farmers in long term leases. In order for Tahgahoning Enterprises (the community owned farm operation), to obtain land to operate, a lease with a non-native corporation had to be broken. The corporation had been sub-leasing land to other non-native farmers which was contrary to its lease agreement and therefore in default. Tahgahoning Enterprises now farms approximately 4,000 of the 10,000 acres available for farming. The remaining 6,000 acres are farmed by a dozen or so non-native farmers.
  
  
• Residential leases: Walpole Island has been a favourite destination for tourists either to see the local powwows or just visiting the natural areas of the territory. In the earlier part of the 1900's, many visitors came to the Walpole Island fair and to see the wild ponies running free. Many of the visitors were Americans who would come on cruise ships out of Detroit, Michigan. They liked the beauty and serenity of the island and many obtained leases to build cottages on the island. Though the number of cottage leases have declined, as landowners reclaimed the land for their own use, there still are109 cottage leases on Walpole Island. These leases are with both American and Canadian cottagers.
  
  
• Other leases: Navigation range light sites are leased to the Canadian government to aid navigation through the shipping channels in WIFN territory. The Seaway Island lease is an arrangement where the Canadian government leases sections of Seaway Island shoreline to deposit contaminated dredge material to avoid open water dumping. Heritage Preservation Site leases may be in the future to protect historical or environmental sensitive sites within WIFN territory.


Outcome:

Leasing in the past may not have always been to WIFN advantage, but it has become a tool that the Chief and Council can use to regulate land use activities for the benefit of the people of Walpole Island.

Support:

DIAND Lands Department.