June 17, 2008

Ipperwash Inquiry: Lessons Unlearned?

OPP Escalation and Weaponry at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

TORONTO EVENT:
Tuesday, JUNE 17th, 2008
Cervecería
842 College Street West (just west of Ossington)
Doors open at 6pm / Event begins at 7pm
PWYC - Donations appreciated
(all proceeds go to the Tyendinaga Legal Defence Fund)

Download a flyer for this event (PDF, 530kb)
Download a poster (PDF, 316kb)

Speakers:

** Representative from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

** Representative from CUPE Ontario, to speak on the recent passing of CUPE Ontario’s Resolution 38, in support of indigenous struggle for the land, against the criminalization of indigenous resistance, and in support of the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, and spokesperson Shawn Brant, and how we can build on this important step forward.

** Jackie Esmonde, Lawyer, counsel at the Ipperwash inquiry and has worked at Aboriginal Legal Services.

Also featuring Slide-Show / Audio from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and short films.

In April 2008, the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga was subject to an unacceptable escalation of police tactics, including the drawing of guns by OPP officers on unarmed Mohawks. At the time, the OPP laid unfounded, fear-mongering claims, saying they saw ‘one long gun’ at the quarry reclamation site, a land reclamation which the Mohawks have been holding for more than a year, as part of their struggle for the return of the Culbertson Tract. Psychological warfare on the part of the police resulted in a tense face-off between the OPP and unarmed community members that lasted for days. More than a month later, 16 men and women from Tyendinaga are facing charges, one of whom - Shawn Brant - remains in maximum security pre-trial custody.

In 1995, the extra-judicial execution by an OPP officer of Dudley George was found to be the inevitable result of centuries of discrimination and dispossession rooted in racism. In the findings of Justice Sidney Linden’s Ipperwash Inquiry, the conclusion was reached that Ipperwash revealed a deep schism in Canada’s relationship with First Nations peoples and was symbolic of a grevious history of destructive government policies. The Inquiry made constructive findings and recommendations regarding policing, appalling decision-making, the wrongful use of force against indigenous people, and the racist demeanor of Ontario’s then-Premier Harris and the police.

Despite these findings, it appears that Ontario has opted for the criminalization of First Nations people over the resolution of outstanding land issues, and the adoption of Justice Linden’s Ipperwash Inquiry policing recommendations are experiencing some delay. During the recent road closures in April, an OPP officer on the scene audibly commented to her colleagues, “We should just shoot them (Mohawks) all.” And while in custody at the Napanee OPP Detachment, several different officers repeatedly informed Shawn Brant that they were going to “slit his throat”. Just this week, Stan Jolly, a retired Ontario public servant who served as advisor to almost a dozen provincial attorney generals, publicized his 41-page report into the suspension and dismissal of Tyendinaga police chief Larry Hay, in which he strongly criticizes the actions of OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino, in first suspending Hay for eight months before firing the veteran officer for allegedly making a series of racially-charged comments about the OPP and RCMP to a student newspaper reporter last April.

The current situation in Tyendinaga is developing into a sweeping crack-down on community members, the stifling of resistance to increased policing and further development of the Culbertson Tract, while federal monies are being poured into the Territory for policing matters. What lessons have really been learned, in the 13 years since Dudley George was killed? To what lengths are the authorities prepared to go, in order to quash indigenous resistance and sovereignty?

Join us as we hear from speakers who will discuss these issues. A CUPE rep will speak on the recent passing of Resolution 38 at the CUPE Ontario Convention, and the labour movement’s support for Tyendinaga and how we can build on this important step forward. The evening will also feature a slide-show of recent photographs and audio interviews from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and short films.

Hosted by the Tyendinaga Support Committee and more ...
For more information, please contact: support.tmt (at) gmail.com