Teepee set on fire at Springwater park

SPRINGWATER TWP. — A ceremonial Anishinaabe teepee in Springwater Provincial Park north of Barrie was destroyed by vandals over the weekend.

Huronia West OPP and Springwater Township firefighters were called to the park at approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday after learning the teepee had been burned.

There were no injuries and no other damage to property.

Elizabeth Brass Elson, of Beausoleil First Nation, said it’s the fourth incident of racist-related vandalism in Springwater park in Midhurst.

She was one of several Anishinaabe women who occupied the park the day after the Ministry of Natural Resources (now the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) deemed the 193-hectare facility non-operational in March 31 2013.

“The teepee being burned is another sign of things gone bad here,” she said, standing next to the scorched frame that once made up the canvas teepee.

“They are all racist comments,” Brass Elson said. “People are not educated about aborginal treaties and native rights. This is a very spiritual place.”

Les Stewart, of the Springwater Park Citizens’ Coalition, said the senseless vandalism does not reflect well on the community or the efforts of First Nations and the ministry to ensure the park’s future viability.

The ministry has previously stated it is working with Beausoleil First Nation towards an agreement that would make Springwater park operational again.

“It’s a matter of trying to move that forward and not give people the wrong idea because of a few morons. There are a few people who just hate First Nations,” Stewart said, adding he has seen other evidence of racism, including KKK being spray-painted in areas of the park.

“I helped build that teepee. It’s not an inexpensive piece of canvas,” Stewart said.

“Everybody says they love Springwater park,” he said. “Well, there’s ways of saying you’re welcoming of new people in your community and this is not the nicest message. I’ve been around here 55 years and that isn’t the community I grew up with. This is not how you treat people who try to do you favours.

“It would be nice to see our community welcome them (the Beausoleil First Nation) in an appropriate way,” he added. “The ladies who spent nine months in this park — and I helped them — did that to save this land for people.”

Michelle Hardy certainly appreciates their efforts.

“What they did was very inspirational and brave,” she said, adding the park has been a part of her life.

“It’s so important to have it. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. It’s like an outdoor temple: peaceful, silent and calming,” she said. “People are here to enjoy it and probably to connect with themselves.

“It’s tragic,” she said of the fire. “Any vandalism is tragic, but especially in a place like this.”

Brass Elson said there is a way for area residents to show support for Springwater park and the Beausoleil First Nation’s efforts to manage it during an event at the park on Saturday, May 23. It will celebrate the victory over proposed landfill Site 41 north of Elmvale in September 2009 as well as Camp Nibi — the Anishinaabe name for fresh water, or spring water — when women occupied the park after it was deemed non-operational.

“We’re having a potluck on Saturday. People can bring their families and food,” she said. “In times like these, allies are needed to save the land and save the water.”

The potluck gets underway at 5 p.m. All are invited.

Follow Brass Elson on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/elizabeth.b.elson.3.

Anyone with information about the vandalism over the weekend is asked to call Huronia West OPP at 705-429-3575 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Other coverage

Springwater Park Citizens Coalition