Learning Debwewin from My Brother
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Ipperwash Special Edition 2020 Anishinabek News Volume 30 Issue 3 Published quarterly by the Anishinabek Nation Ipperwash Special Edition 2020 September 6, 2020, marked the 25th anniversary of the shooting death of unarmed protestor Anthony “Dudley” George by an Ontario Provincial Police sniper at Ipperwash Beach. The Anishinabek News featured an Ipperwash Summer Series to highlight the history, trauma, aftermath, and key recommendations from the 2007 Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry. First Nations in Ontario understood that the Inquiry would not provide all of the answers or solutions, but would be a step forward in building a respectful government-to-government relationship. For information on the 2007 Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry, please visit: http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/inquiries/ipperwash/closing_submissions/index.html Peter Edwards, Toronto Star journalist, and Sam George. – Photo by Veronica George Learning debwewin from my brother By Peter Edwards he blamed for the tragedy. Sam sued former premier Mike Har- I just tried to show, `We’re not who you say The first time I met Maynard (Sam) “I’m not blaming anyone but I need to ris and several members of his government we are. So I’m totally opposite. You don’t George was in the back of the restaurant at know the truth,” he said. His voice was so and the OPP for answers. He told me he was know me, really. You think you know me, Kettle Point, a few hours after his younger soft I could barely hear him. quietly offered a large sum of money to drop but you don’t. You know me only as this guy brother Anthony (Dudley) George was shot Over the next decade, Sam spoke to his wrongful death lawsuit. that supposedly is coming to nail your hide to death by an Ontario Provincial Police church and labour groups, First Nations As- I knew without asking that he turned it to the wall, when really I’m not.'” (OPP) sniper. semblies, students, teachers, human rights down. The stress of Sam’s search for the truth Sam looked like he was in shock. He had groups like Amnesty International and any- In the fall of 2002, Harris became the was getting to him. been busy at the hospital, identifying Dud- one else who would listen. He sometimes first sitting premier in Ontario history to He was smoking heavily and collapsed ley’s body, and then breaking the news to had to sleep in his car because he couldn’t testify in a civil case against himself, when during a speaking trip to Winnipeg. I was family members. afford a hotel room. he was questioned by Sam’s lawyer, Murray afraid he would drop dead if he didn’t slow Sam looked so small as he kept showing He nicknamed his car “The Truthmobile” Klippenstein, in an examination for discov- down but he refused to let up. me family pictures of Dudley. They were all and it went in the ditch and broke down – lit- ery. He did speak often with Thomas happy snapshots that seemed totally out of erally – more than once. I was shocked to hear that Sam stood up (Tommy) White, a friend and Elder from the place with the mood that morning. One month, he gave 31 speeches. Every and extended his hand to the Premier. Washagamis Bay First Nation near Kenora. Sam had never spoken with a reporter time Sam spoke, it was from the heart as he By then, a government lawyer had called Sam jokingly called him “Akiwenwenzi before. revisited the horrible night we met. him a terrorist, despite a court’s finding that Kiawatin no” or “Old Man from the North,” “I don’t know what I feel right now,” Sometimes Sam and I gave speeches at the Stony Pointers – including Dudley – while Tommy called Sam, “Akiwenwenzi Sam said. “It’s pretty hard when you see the same event. I always used notes and Sam were unarmed. I asked Sam how could he Shawanoo,” or “Old Man from the South.” your brother lying on a slab… He’s got a only tried that once. He froze up and fumbled shake Harris’s hand? I told Tommy how Sam had kept using bullet in his chest.” and went back to speaking from the heart. Sam explained: “It was a hard thing to the word “truth,” from the first time we met. One of my first questions was about who He was always riveting that way. do, but it was a point that had to be made. … ...continued on Page 2 Ipperwash Special Edition 2020 Anishinabek News Page 2 The print edition of the Anishinabek News is a quarterly publication of Anishinabek Nation. Views expressed are not necessarily the opinion or political position of the Anishinabek Nation/ Union of Ontario Indians. No portion of this paper, or online content, in- cluding advertisements, artwork, photos and ed- itorial content may be reproduced without writ- ten permission of the Anishinabek News Editor. Readers are invited to submit letters, articles, and photos for publication. Please include your name, address and telephone number on all material submitted. All submissions will be re- viewed for publication based on priority of inter- est and edited for clarity of thought, taste, brev- ity and legal implications. Remuneration will be paid for submissions only if a written agreement with the Editor is made prior to publication. For news all the time, visit: www.anishinabeknews.ca Editor: Marci Becking Assistant Editor: Laura Barrios Layout: Marci Becking Advertising: Marci Becking Contributers: Kelly Crawford, Tia Davnos, Peter Edwards, Veronica George, Sarah Public education best way to commemorate Hazell, Nicole Latulippe, Laurie Leclair, Harold Levy, Catherine Murton Stoehr, Dwayne Nashkawa, Justin Rhoden, Maurice Switzer, 25th anniversary of Ipperwash Crisis Monica Virtue, Cameron Welch and Nathan Wright ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OF- maintaining healthy relationships between FICE – Anishinabek Nation Grand Coun- Anishinabek First Nations, government, PH: 705-497-9127 ~ 1-877-702-5200 www.anishinabeknews.ca cil Chief Glen Hare says the best way to and police services,” says Grand Coun- E-MAIL: [email protected] commemorate the 25th anniversary of cil Chief Hare. “Frequently, Anishinabek P.O. Box 711, Nipissing First Nation, North Bay, the shooting death of Anthony “Dudley” people who exercise their treaty and Ab- ON, P1B 8J8 George at Ipperwash by an Ontario Prov- original and inherent rights find themselves incial Police sniper, is through continued under the scrutiny of not only police servi- The current circulation of this edition of the Anishinabek News public education. ces, but by a public ignorant to the history is 5,000 copies. “On September 6, 1995, we lost a of First Nations people and colonialism DEADLINE FOR warrior. His fight was to protect the land who have not received or sought educa- WINTER PRINT EDITION of his people of Ipperwash. This loss is tion on First Nation treaty and Aboriginal another example of systemic racism that rights. A way to counter ignorance and to November 20, 2020 we continue to fight today; working with commemorate the 25th anniversary of the our people who are dealing with years shooting death of Dudley George and the For more information or inquiries to the Anishinabek of Treaty Right’s Infringement, Inherent Grand Council Chief Glen Hare legacy of his brother Sam is through con- News related to circulation issues please call our Right’s not acknowledged, and unsettled tinued public education efforts.” Toll-free number: 1-877-702-5200 All advertising which examined themes such as history, Land Claims,” states Anishinabek Nation Efforts put forth by the Anishinabek inquiries can be sent to [email protected] policing, heritage and burials, public edu- Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. Nation for public education include lobby- cation and treaties. All of the articles are Since the unarmed protestor’s death on ing and participating in the inquiry, com- intended to reflect on what happened and www.anishinabeknews.ca September 6, 1995, there has been a public memorative events, news releases, books, what is happening today. inquiry and some 100 recommendations teacher’s kits, Treaties Recognition Week NISHINABEK EWS RINT “From the Report of the Ipperwash In- ISSN 1182-3178 A N (P ) from the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry events and participating in the bi-lateral NISHINABEK EWS NLINE quiry, it was found that there is a lack of ISSN 1923-0710 A N (O ) that was released by Justice Sidney Linden table relationship with Ontario. recognition and respect of inherent, Ab- on May 31, 2007. Next spring will see a full launch of original and treaty rights and how these The Anishinabek News online featured treaty education web-based resources. exhaustive issues together pose a barrier to a summer series comprised of 16 articles ...continued from Page 1 iest men. was always up at the front listening to the Tommy explained that Sam meant “deb- “What’s your point, Edwards?” Sam evidence. wewin” when he used the English word asked. “One day, on my way back to Forest, I “truth.” I then noted that Schweig was well over looked at who was driving me, and I realized It’s a truth that comes from the heart and six feet tall while Sam was considerably how much time has gone by because it was makes things better. shorter. my grandson, who was five when all of this “Debwewin, in my language, means “The stress shrunk me,” Sam said. started in 1995,” Sam said. positive words, positive ways of thinking,” As things caught on, Sam drew bigger “I never dreamed it would take this long Tommy said. “Debwewin is soft – a soft, and bigger audiences, including 3,000 for a to get those answers because we just wanted honest way.” benefit concert at Massey Hall.