In 1942, during World War II, the Government of Canada appropriated land for a military base from the Chippewa of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation, purportedly only for the duration, and initially with a promise of compensation.

During the late 1980s, the Stoney Point First Nation began to pressure the Canada and Ontario governments to revert ownership of the entire property as per the 1941 expropriation agreement.

The adjacent land at Ipperwash Provincial Park was claimed by the Stoney Point First Nation and was reputed to contain a burial ground.

On 4 February 2015, chief Tom Bressette informed Lambton County that a cultural centre would be built on site of the former park, with a hotel complex nearby.

[3] On April 14, 2016, the land was signed over to the Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation by Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan and Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett with Chief Thomas Bressette signing the agreement on behalf of the band.