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Inquiry blames government for death of Native activist
Friday, June 1, 2007
Filed Under: First Nations

The inquiry into the death of Native activist Dudley George was released on Thursday.

The report blames the government of former Ontario premier Mike Harris, the Canadian government and the Ontario Park Police for events that led to Dudley's death on September 6, 1995. Dudley and other members of the Stony Point First Nation were occupying Ipperwash Provincial Park to protest an unresolved land claim.

While Harris didn't directly order the OPP raid on the park, he contributed to a hostile situation and made racist statements about Native people, inquiry commissioner Sidney Linden said. During testimony, Harris denied saying that he wanted the "Indians out of the park."

"After carefully assessing the evidence, it is my view that Michael Harris made the statement," Linden wrote. "I agree with Premier Harris's characterization of the statement … as racist."

The report also cites racist behaviors of OPP officers, who were caught on tape making disparaging remarks about the protesters. It said officers relied on unverified and inaccurate information" -- including allegations that the peaceful protesters were armed -- before launching the deadly raid.

In response, the Ontario government apologized to George's family. Sam George wants Mike Harris to apologize as well.

The report makes a total of 98 recommendations. They include the establishment of an independent agency to resolve land claims.

Get the Story:
Shooting blamed on police, governments (CanWest News Service 6/1)
Ipperwash inquiry spreads blame for George's death (CBC 5/31)
Ipperwash allegations 'malicious and petty,' Harris says (CBC 5/31)
Aboriginal leaders urge action on Ipperwash inquiry findings (CBC 5/31)

Relevant Links:
Ipperwash Inquiry - http://www.ipperwashinquiry.ca
Who Killed Dudley George - http://www.whokilleddudleygeorge.ca
Dudley George and Ipperwash, CBC News - http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/ipperwash
Dudley George information - http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-dudley.htm

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