Chief Conrad Ritchie and Saugeen First Nation are pleased to announce that the area historically known as Sauble Beach will now officially be recognized as Saugeen Beach.
“This change has been a long time coming,” said Chief Conrad Ritchie. “We wish to share with our community, neighbouring communities, and all visitors that these lands and waters have long held deep significance for our people and our Ancestors. The name Saugeen Beach reflects our enduring connection to this place and honours our identity, culture, and history.”
Background to the Name Change and Legal Recognition
Saugeen Beach is at the heart of Saugeen First Nation’s traditional territory, where our ancestors have lived for thousands of years. When Saugeen’s Reserve was surveyed in 1856, a surveying error excluded part of the beach that rightfully belonged within our Reserve lands. Although our First Nation began raising concerns about this mistake as early as the 1870s, it took more than a century for the federal government to formally acknowledge the error.
In 1995, Saugeen First Nation filed a lawsuit to rectify the issue. While the federal government, as our treaty partner, supported our interpretation of the treaty, Ontario, the Town, and several private landowners opposed our claim.
After years of legal proceedings, the matter went to trial in 2021. In April 2023, the trial court ruled in our favour, declaring that the north part of the beach has always been part of our Reserve and that no third parties hold any interest in the land. The court also found that the Crown had breached its duties to Saugeen First Nation by failing to protect our Reserve lands. Both the Town and Ontario appealed, but in December 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the trial decision.
“For generations, our people have worked tirelessly to reclaim what is rightfully ours. This land is part of what our ancestors refused to surrender when they were forced to give up over 99% of our traditional territory. It is sacred to us, and it is where we continue to build our future” Chief Ritchie commented.
Since the court’s ruling, Saugeen First Nation has been managing the entire beach for three summers, working diligently to ensure it remains safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.
Saugeen Beach: A Shared and Welcoming Space
While Saugeen Beach has profound cultural and spiritual importance for the Saugeen community, Chief Ritchie emphasized the Nation’s commitment to maintaining the beach as a welcoming space:
“We recognize that many others have developed connections to this beautiful place, and tourism is very important for our entire region. We are pleased with the continued success of the public park at Saugeen Beach and look forward to working with all partners to keep it thriving. We warmly welcome everyone to enjoy Saugeen Beach, and we ask all visitors to treat this sacred place with respect, using it safely and responsibly so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The name change holds deep significance for the Saugeen community, symbolizing truth, resilience, and reconciliation.
“Having our own name on our own Reserve, rather than a colonial name imposed on us, is profoundly meaningful,” Chief Ritchie added. “It helps restore our people’s connection to our land and signals a step forward in reconciliation. We believe the name Saugeen Beach will also enhance the connection felt by other residents and visitors, knowing that it is a sacred and historical site. This is a vital Indigenous space, but also a place that is open and welcoming to all who wish to connect with our history and culture.”
Saugeen First Nation invites the public to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Saugeen Beach and to join in building a future of mutual respect, understanding, and shared enjoyment of this treasured place.
Media Contact:
Justine Kaufman
Communications Specialist
Saugeen First Nation
Cell: 519.385.0377
justine.kaufman@saugeen.org
Chief Conrad Ritchie and Saugeen First Nation are pleased to announce that the area historically known as Sauble Beach will now officially be recognized as Saugeen Beach.
“This change has been a long time coming,” said Chief Conrad Ritchie. “We wish to share with our community, neighbouring communities, and all visitors that these lands and waters have long held deep significance for our people and our Ancestors. The name Saugeen Beach reflects our enduring connection to this place and honours our identity, culture, and history.”
Background to the Name Change and Legal Recognition
Saugeen Beach is at the heart of Saugeen First Nation’s traditional territory, where our ancestors have lived for thousands of years. When Saugeen’s Reserve was surveyed in 1856, a surveying error excluded part of the beach that rightfully belonged within our Reserve lands. Although our First Nation began raising concerns about this mistake as early as the 1870s, it took more than a century for the federal government to formally acknowledge the error.
In 1995, Saugeen First Nation filed a lawsuit to rectify the issue. While the federal government, as our treaty partner, supported our interpretation of the treaty, Ontario, the Town, and several private landowners opposed our claim.
After years of legal proceedings, the matter went to trial in 2021. In April 2023, the trial court ruled in our favour, declaring that the north part of the beach has always been part of our Reserve and that no third parties hold any interest in the land. The court also found that the Crown had breached its duties to Saugeen First Nation by failing to protect our Reserve lands. Both the Town and Ontario appealed, but in December 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the trial decision.
“For generations, our people have worked tirelessly to reclaim what is rightfully ours. This land is part of what our ancestors refused to surrender when they were forced to give up over 99% of our traditional territory. It is sacred to us, and it is where we continue to build our future” Chief Ritchie commented.
Since the court’s ruling, Saugeen First Nation has been managing the entire beach for three summers, working diligently to ensure it remains safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.
Saugeen Beach: A Shared and Welcoming Space
While Saugeen Beach has profound cultural and spiritual importance for the Saugeen community, Chief Ritchie emphasized the Nation’s commitment to maintaining the beach as a welcoming space:
“We recognize that many others have developed connections to this beautiful place, and tourism is very important for our entire region. We are pleased with the continued success of the public park at Saugeen Beach and look forward to working with all partners to keep it thriving. We warmly welcome everyone to enjoy Saugeen Beach, and we ask all visitors to treat this sacred place with respect, using it safely and responsibly so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The name change holds deep significance for the Saugeen community, symbolizing truth, resilience, and reconciliation.
“Having our own name on our own Reserve, rather than a colonial name imposed on us, is profoundly meaningful,” Chief Ritchie added. “It helps restore our people’s connection to our land and signals a step forward in reconciliation. We believe the name Saugeen Beach will also enhance the connection felt by other residents and visitors, knowing that it is a sacred and historical site. This is a vital Indigenous space, but also a place that is open and welcoming to all who wish to connect with our history and culture.”
Saugeen First Nation invites the public to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Saugeen Beach and to join in building a future of mutual respect, understanding, and shared enjoyment of this treasured place.
Media Contact:
Justine Kaufman
Communications Specialist
Saugeen First Nation
Cell: 519.385.0377
justine.kaufman@saugeen.org
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