Editor’s note: This is a developing story. A follow-up article includes a response from the individuals named in this petition, who allege they are also victims of assault and threats. [Read the follow-up story here]. Community members at Aazhoodena First Nation (former Camp Ipperwash) are demanding the removal of two non-Indigenous individuals, alleging a pattern […]
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. A follow-up article includes a response from the individuals named in this petition, who allege they are also victims of assault and threats. [Read the follow-up story here].
Community members at Aazhoodena First Nation (former Camp Ipperwash) are demanding the removal of two non-Indigenous individuals, alleging a pattern of harassment, stalking, and violent death threats that they say has left them fearing for their lives.
Despite a community-led petition, a formal departure notice, and a small rally held on October 19, residents say their calls for help have been met with silence or dismissal from both the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation (KSPFN) leadership and the Anishinabek Police Service (APS).
The situation is complicated by the land's jurisdiction, which is still under the Department of National Defence (DND) during a long-term clean-up operation but managed by KSPFN through a Property Management Agreement (PMA).
Residents allege the two individuals, Matthew Firth and Alicia Waldick (also known as Alicia Eleanor), are "squatting" on the territory and causing "havoc."
Sylvia Cloud, a resident of Aazhoodena, detailed her experiences in an email to The Sarnia Journal. She says she was in a brief relationship with Matthew Firth in 2024 and allowed him to stay with her for a few months. She alleges the relationship became "abusive mentally and emotionally," causing her health to decline.
After she "found the strength to kick him out," Cloud says Firth eventually moved his current girlfriend, Alicia Waldick, and her children into another residence in the territory.
Since then, Cloud alleges her family has been subjected to a campaign of harassment.
"It wasn't until he moved in his current girlfriend this spring that his behaviour as well as this woman's behaviour towards myself and my daughter turned into harassment and stalking," Cloud wrote.
She recounted two separate alleged stalking incidents, one in September that she claims involved Firth, Waldick, and another roommate driving "drunk and/or high" with two small children in the vehicle. "The police were called twice as well as CAS," Cloud stated, but she was later told by APS that a "priority call" prevented them from responding that evening.
Most alarmingly, Cloud and other community members allege Firth has made explicit death threats.
"It was also revealed around this time that Matt had commented both in person and in a Snapchat conversation with a friend of mine that he wanted to cut off my cousin Brad's head with a machete," Cloud wrote. "This person submitted a letter to APS but to date has not received a follow-up call from APS."
Cloud says she and her family have installed security cameras and she now avoids walking alone in her own community.
"I fear every day that I am going to find my cousin dead. No one seems to care," she wrote. "It blows my mind that after a murder has already taken place in our community almost five years ago that no one seems to care that another life has been threatened. It appears that the authorities are not protecting the people, but rather the problem."
The growing fear and frustration prompted community members to organize. On October 7, residents delivered a "Community Petition for the Removal of Matthew Firth and Alicia". The petition, signed by members of Aazhoodena FN #43, KSPFN #44, and descendants, lists numerous allegations including "Violent threats" , "Death threats" , "Stalking and ongoing intimidation" , "Driving under the influence" , and "Endangerment of children".
A separate departure notice, citing a community meeting on September 9, 2025, was also delivered to Matt Firth, ordering him to leave by October 12, 2025. "Your menacing and hostile behaviour toward community members… has resulted in multiple complaints," the letter states. "You are not to return to our community. Any attempt to do so will be treated as trespassing".
The notice was copied to DND, Defence Construction Canada (DCC), and police. As of October 27, the individuals remain.
Community members say their efforts have been officially ignored by KSPFN leadership.
Sara George, an organizer and relative of Sylvia Cloud, provided The Sarnia Journal with email correspondence. She alleges that Amanda Shawnoo, the Director of Implementation, responded to the group's notice on October 8 by stating, "Please be advised that the matters raised in your email do not fall under the authority or recognition of our office. The Aazhoodena Leadership Group is not a recognized governing body… Any enforcement or action regarding petitions or notices are not supported from the First Nation, DND or DCC."
George also provided a quote from an alleged October 17 email from Chief Kim Bressette, which reportedly stated, "Council has not to date received any request of this nature, nor have we received a petition with signatures from the community."
This, George claims, is an instance of selective policy. "Last year, a petition was brought before Chief and Council to have our sea cans removed from Ipperwash Park… Chief and Council acted on that petition," George wrote. "It appears that administration selectively decides when to enforce or acknowledge such petitions."
Sylvia Cloud also expressed frustration with the Anishinabek Police Service. Referring to another incident where her daughters were allegedly approached aggressively, she stated, "Both incidents were reported to APS and both times my daughters concerns were minimized and dismissed by APS officers. Now she does not want to call APS for anything ever again."
The Sarnia Journal sent media inquiries to KSPFN Chief Kim Bressette, the KSPFN Council, and the Anishinabek Police Service. No response was received by the time of publication.
With community members feeling ignored by local leadership, they turned their attention to the Department of National Defence, who technically owns the land.
In response to a media inquiry from The Sarnia Journal, DND media relations confirmed the existence of a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DND and the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation (CKSPFN)… referred to as the Property Management Agreement (PMA)," which was last renewed in 2022.
While DND confirmed it was notified of the "ongoing issue and the community petition," it placed responsibility for managing the situation squarely on the First Nation.
"As per the PMA, CKSPFN is responsible for maintaining access control and security for Former Camp Ipperwash (FCI)," DND spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin stated. "Access to FCI is managed by CKSPFN… Local police services are provided by the Anishinabek Police Service (APS); they are responsible for managing any incidents or investigations on site."
The DND response concluded: "As advised by CKSPFN, this is an internal issue to be managed and resolved by CKSPFN. DND will continue to monitor and be prepared to support CKSPFN if requested."
This leaves the concerned residents in a jurisdictional limbo: DND states CKSPFN is responsible for security, while CKSPFN leadership has allegedly dismissed the community's petition.
For Sylvia Cloud, the fight is a continuation of her family's legacy. Her grandfather, Chief Robert George, was removed from the land in 1942 and fought his whole life to return.
"He did not fight all those years to have these two non-Indigenous people instilling fear into the lives of his grandchildren," Cloud wrote. "This is our home."
Editor’s Note: All allegations described in this story are based on first-hand accounts and documents provided by community members. The Sarnia Journal will update this story if further responses or information becomes available.
