And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (S.I.S.I.S.) writes:
DUDLEY GEORGE AND WOLVERINE "BROTHERS" IN STRUGGLE: PIERRE GEORGE SPEAKS!
S.I.S.I.S. note: We recently circulated a letter in which AFN National
Chief Phil Fontaine tried to deflect the accusation that his organization
has done little to implement its resolution demanding a public inquiry into
all aspects of the Aazhoodena-Stoney Point (AKA: Ipperwash) and Gustafsen
Lake standoffs.
Now Pierre George, brother to Dudley George, responds, particularly to
Fontaine's suggestion that "all parties commit themselves to an open,
principled and constructive dialogue." Tom Bressette, mentioned several
times in George's open letter, was DIA Chief of the Kettle Point Band at
the time of Dudley George's September 6, 1995 assassination by the Ontario
Provincial Police. Bressette is now Regional Chief of "Ontario."
1. Open Letter to Phil Fontaine from Pierre George.
2. Phil Fontaine excuses the AFN inaction on the Aazhoodena-Stoney Point
and Gustafsen Lake inquiry demand.
3. AFN Resolution 19/97 demanding a public inquiry into both 1995 standoffs.
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Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 20:23:55 -0500
From: Carolyn Zavitz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: An Open Letter to Phil Fontaine
An Open Letter to Phil Fontaine:
In 1942 the Stoney Point Peoples were moved off Stoney Point to make way
for a military base.
The federal Indian agent (Geo Down) called the move a "wonderful
opportunity to gather a few straggling Indians". There is nothing open,
principled nor constructive about that statement! Matter of fact it's
downright ignorant and racist.
The police logs recording the events during the early days of September
1995 state:
[Pg.19; 08:18] "Asked him (Tom Bressette) to notify his
counselors, he and counselors don't support the action of the natives, he
feels they should be dealt with."
[Pg.21] "Inspector Carson advises that Tom Bressette agrees with
what we are doing."
[Pg.24; 09:25] "meeting: John Carson advises that Tom
Bressette's on board, agrees, thinks they are criminals."
[Pg.58; 10:06] "John Carson said no, we are not responding to an
occurrence...Constable George feels it's time for an arrest, show them it's
a big plan happening, show them that we have a plan. Will give us a
psychological plan. It may encourage them to talk because if one of their
people is gone arrested they may talk...."
[Pg.80; 23:14] "We have possibly shot someone."
[Pg.82; 00:20] "Mark Wright reports Dudley is dead and two others
injured...."
[Pg.86] "Trevor Richardson to John Carson to confirm
deceased--Dudley George, shot to chest, seized car that he was transported
in Strathroy, 3 occupants arrested."
There is nothing open, principled, nor constructive about these statements!
Matter of fact, these are downright criminal and statements of treason
against fellow natives.
I put forward, Mr. Phil Fontaine, that the time is here to seriously devote
or make more time to getting a full public inquiry into the injustices done
at both Aazhoodena-Stoney Point(AKA: Ipperwash) and Gustafsen Lake.
Dead or alive Dudley and Wolverine are Native brothers and you should do
the right and honourable thing.!
Every murder has a motive. In Dudley's case the motive being the land he
called home--Aazhoodena, Stoney Point, and the second motive being racism.
Yes, I mean a racially motivated killing!
When truth is on your side, time is of essence for the perpetrators.
In the Spirit of Dudley,
Pierre George
Aazhoodena Territory
Stoney Point
Dudley not only lived in the struggle for the self-determination of the
Aazhoodenaang Enjibaajig, but also died protecting the sacred burial
grounds in the park!
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Subject: Response from National Chief Phil Fontaine re Gustafsen Lake and
Ipperwash
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 15:11:14 -0500
The following is National Chief Fontaine's response to your concerns
expressed regarding the above-mentioned issues:
"This is in response to your e-mails to my office in which you relate to me
some of your concerns regarding the situation and issues at Gustafsen Lake
in British Columbia and Ipperwash Provincial park in Ontario.
I wish to thank you for your interest and support for First Nations rights
and issues. It is very encouraging to hear your views and to know that
Canadians are concerned about the need to expeditiously address the many
outstanding issues faced by First Nations.
You are quite correct in pointing out that the Assembly of First Nations
has been directed by the Chiefs of the First Nations to assist them in
bringing about a resolution for dealing with the many difficult issues that
threaten to lead us into conflict with Canada. For my part, it is a matter
of deeply-held personal belief that all of the problems and issues facing
Canada and the First Nations can be settled and resolved if all parties
commit themselves to an open, principled and constructive dialogue.
Clearly, however, there is much that needs to be done to ensure that a fair
and just process is in place to diffuse the frustration and lack of
opportunity for dialogue and shared understanding that has served to force
our communities into the kind of unfortunate situations we have seen at
Oka, Ipperwash and Gustafsen Lake.
You are, however, incorrect, to assume that nothing is being done to deal
with the Resolution 19/97. In fact, quite the opposite is the case. It
might be helpful for you to know that the AFN does not currently have
either the staff of the resources to pursue the full implementation of this
very important resolution.
In response to this problem, I and my staff have been engaged in ongoing
discussions with the Department of Justice Canada to establish a Justice
Unit at the AFN that will be able to respond to the many incidents of
injustices that arise, as well as implementing justice-related resolutions
like the one you have written me about.
Furthermore, as National Chief, I have been very involved in and concerned
directly with Justice issues. My involvement, both publicly and behind the
scenes and at the request of the people directly involved, has resulted in
an independent investigation in the very sad circumstances whereby an RCMP
constable shot and killed Connie and Ty Jacobs at the Tsuu T'ina Nation in
March of this year. Also, with regard to this incident, the AFN has been
asked to conduct an independent review into the circumstances that led up
to this incident, including factors that may have played a role - such as
race and gender. We are pursuing this as vigourously as possible.
In addition, when Harley Timmers was shot and killed by an RCMP officer in
Whitehorse this past summer, Grand Chief Shirley Adamson asked for my
intervention to support their call for a public inquiry. That support was
immediately forthcoming.
In the overall view, the fundamental issue behind many confrontations is
land rights. To address this issue, my office has been diligently pursuing
a joint policy development process with the federal government to bring
about fundamental reform of the existing federal specific claims policy and
process. The approach of the AFN, at the national level, has been to
attempt to rectify the policy environment that is supposed to facilitate
the peaceful settlement and resolution of exactly these kinds of issues
before they progress into circumstances involving dangerous confrontation.
I can truly appreciate your frustration at the amount of time it is taking
to seek proper investigations and reviews with regard to police aggression
towards First Nations peoples, as I am directly involved with my staff to
make progress on these issues. However, I wish to assure that all that can
possibly be done, given limited staff and resources, is being done and more
will continue to be done.
In protection of First Nations Aboriginal and Treaty Rights,
Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Melissa McKelvey
Assembly of First Nations
10th Floor
1 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7
Telephone: (613) 241-6789
Fax: (613) 241-5808
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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AFN RESOLUTION 19/97, moved by Chief Stewart Philip of the Penticton Indian
Band and seconded by Chief Ron Jules of the Adams Lake Band:
Subject: Call for Inquiry into Canadian Government and Police Actions
WHEREAS in both the Gustafsen Lake and Ipperwash incidents, the actions
of government and police officials in using excessive force against First
Nations citizens is unacceptable; and
WHEREAS governments are attempting to prevent the public from learning
the truth about these incidents;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chiefs-in-Assembly support the demand
for a full and comprehensive public inquiry into all aspects of the
Gustafsen Lake and Ipperwash matters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Assembly of First Nations will take full
responsibility for establishing a mechanism to ensure that a public inquiry
takes place into the actions of the provincial and federal governments at
Gustafsen Lake, BC and Ipperwash, Ont.
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WE WILL NEVER FORGET GUSTAFSEN LAKE - WE WILL NEVER FORGET DUDLEY GEORGE!
More information on Aazhoodena-Stoney Point:
http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Ipperwash/arch01.html
More information on Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake):
http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html
TELL THE AFN TO IMPLEMENT ITS OWN RESOLUTION NOW!
Phil Fontaine, AFN Grand Chief - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
