Ipperwash Inquiry Reports

The Ipperwash Inquiry reported today on the death of Dudley George during the Ipperwash incident. The full report can be found at http://www.ipperwashinquiry.ca/

Commissioner Sidney B. Linden found fault with both the Ontario and Federal governments. In addition he found fault with the actions of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Linden noted that Ipperwash must be understood in historical context. Decades of protest and struggle by the people of Kettle Point and Stoney Point were ignored by Indian Affairs.

Linden also made the following observations

• There was no need to act quickly with the Ipperwash incident. Pressure from provincial politicians such as former Premier Mike Harris exacerbated the situation.
• Both Harris and the former Minister of Natural Resources made racist comments during meetings about Ipperwash
• Political desire to move quickly prevented efforts by bureaucrats who preferred negotiation and mediation to find a solution
• Premier Harris was not forthright about what occurred during a key meeting of Cabinet Ministers and senior bureaucrats prior to the shooting of Dudley George
• Racism and cultural insensitivity on the part of some OPP officers prevented creating a positive dialogue between the occupiers and the OPP
• The Federal Government (through Indian Affairs) has delayed the settlement of the land claim at Ipperwash for too long. Linden says this is "inexcusable" and "neglect" by Indian Affairs.
• A Treaty Commission of Ontario needs to be established to settle outstanding land claims in the province.
• A Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs should be established in Ontario due to the growing complexity of Aboriginal issues in Ontario.

Key Terms: Canada, land claim, Dudley George, Ipperwash, Michael Harris, Ontario, Indian Affairs, First Nations, OPP