Canada: Ipperwash Inquiry - Overview
Sam George, brother of Dudley George, talking with the media on the final day of the inquiry
On September 6, 1995, Dudley George was shot and killed by an Ontario Provincial Police officer during a land rights protest at Ipperwash Provincial Park.
The provincial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting released it's report on 31 May 2007.
Amnesty International is among those organizations that long called for such an inquiry. As an international human rights organization, our principle concerns relate to underlying factors that led to the tragic death of Dudley George, including:
- the persistent failure of Canadian officials to ensure fair and timely resolution of disputes over lands, territories and resources critical to Indigenous peoples’ enjoyment of their basic human rights;
- the resulting criminalization of Indigenous persons who assert their rights in respect to disputed lands and resources; and
- the need to ensure that even when public officials have failed in their duty to fairly uphold the human rights of all, police officers do not.
The provincial inquiry was an important and long overdue step toward justice for the family of Dudley George. It was also a vital opportunity to examine underlying issues of critical importance to the rights, welfare and safety of Indigenous peoples across Canada and, indeed, around the world.
Posted: 31 May 2007