And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 08:25:19 -0400
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: Lynne Moss-Sharman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Ottawa decision - Dudley George inquiry
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Tuesday, August 10, 1999
Ottawa decision disappoints Georges
By JONATHAN SHER, London Free Press
The family of Dudley George says it won't let the federal government shirk
responsibility for an inquiry into his death. "The federal government wants to avoid a
difficult duty, to take the easy way out. That's very sad," said Murray Klippenstein,
one of the George family lawyers. Family members were disappointed to learn yesterday
that the Indian Affairs Department intends to avoid any role in an inquiry its
officials say should be left to the Ontario government. Preparing to commemorate the
fourth anniversary of his brother's death next month, Sam George said yesterday
Ottawa's position was just the latest obstacle created by government. "I'd like to see
someone in government stand up and have the courage to say, 'We need an inquiry now,'
" George said.
While former Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart has called for an inquiry, she wrote
in March that only Ontario has the authority to investigate the conduct of provincial
officials. Stewart wrote the letter after Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton accused
her of stonewalling.
Her response flies in the face of legal opinions to the contrary, Klippenstein said.
"I think it's worse than hypocrisy. It's a fundamental failure of their duty."
George was among about 24 natives, unarmed men, women and children, who occupied
Ipperwash Provincial Park Sept. 4, 1995, as it closed for the season, protesting the
desecration of a burial ground. Two days later, heavily armed OPP officers marched
down the road late at night and clashed with the natives. George was shot and killed
by OPP acting Sgt. Kenneth Deane, later convicted of criminal negligence causing
death. In a lawsuit, the George family alleged Harris and other high-ranking
provincial officials ordered the march, their claim leading to calls for a public
inquiry from as far afield as Amnesty International and the United Nations.
Harris denied involvement while his government sought to dismiss the lawsuit, three
times appealing court decisions to proceed.
"It was essentially a delaying and harassing technique," Klippenstein said yesterday.
While the province dropped its appeal last month, it still hasn't turned over
documents requested by George's lawyers, he said. The tab for the George family has
topped $100,000, covered in part by donations and the waiving of some fees from
lawyers, Klippenstein said. The latest setback won't slow the family's drive to seek
the truth, Sam George said. "I haven't gone away yet and I don't think I will."
"Let Us Consider The Human Brain As
A Very Complex Photographic Plate"
1957 G.H. Estabrooks
www.angelfire.com/mn/mcap/bc.html
FOR K A R E N #01182
who died fighting 4/23/99
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.aches-mc.org
807-622-5407
