This week’s death of Sam George is a grim reminder of the tragic death of his brother, Dudley George.  In 1995, Dudley George was shot during a protest by Ontario Provincial Police officer Sgt. Kenneth Deane.  Dudley George was unarmed.  Sgt. Deane was convicted two years later of criminal negligence causing death.

After the death of his brother, Sam George pushed for a public inquiry.  Dalton McGuinty made the inquiry an election promise in 2003.  The inquiry was called one month after the election, and Commissioner Sidney B. Linden’s report was released May 31, 2007.  The Ipperwash Inquiry found that the OPP, the government of former Ontario premier Mike Harris and the federal government all bore responsibility for Dudley George’s death. Premier Harris, in particular, was instrumental in creating an antagonistic atmosphere and ruling out a peaceful end to the occupation favoured by the OPP and civil servants.

Sam George led a distinguished life advocating for the rights of Aboriginal peoples and working to improve relations between Aboriginals, Metis and non-aboriginals in Canada.

Check out the article on Sam George in The Province and CBC’s article on the Ipperwash Inquiry.

Tags: Death In Custody, OPP

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.