The Ipperwash Inquiry

773 Pages·2007·2.44 MB·English

by  Ipperwash Inquiry

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1 Inquiry Mandate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1.1Two-Part Mandate; Two-Part Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.1.2Principles Governing the Inquiry and Additional Goals . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.1.3Approach to the Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1.2. Process of Part I of the Inquiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1.2.1Commission Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1.2.2Rules of Procedure and Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1.2.3Standing and Funding Applications and Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
1.2.4Location for Evidentiary Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
1.2.5Broad Public Access to Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2.6Disclosure and Management of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
1.2.7Issues of Privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
1.2.8Identifying and Preparing Witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
1.2.9 Summonses and Search Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
1.2.10Notices of Alleged Misconduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
1.2.11Hearing Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
1.2.12Evidence/Examinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
1.2.13Confidential Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
1.2.14Commissioner’s Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
1.2.15Closing Submissions and Replies in Part I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
1.2.16Aboriginal Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
1.3 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
1.4 Organization of this Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2. HISTORY OF STONEY POINT AND KETTLE POINT . . . . . . . . . . . .19
2.1 Expert Testimony at the Inquiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
2.2 The British Conquest and The Royal Proclamation of 1763 . . . . . . . . .21
2.3 The Treaty of Niagara – The British Offer Two Wampum Belts . . . . . .22
2.4 Burial Grounds and Totemic Identity of the Anishnabek People . . . . . .23
2.5 The Huron Tract Treaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
2.5.1Early Negotiations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
2.5.2The 1819 Provisional Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
2.5.3The 1825 Provisional Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
2.5.4The Signing of the Huron Tract Treaty in 1827 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
2.6 The Early Administration of the Huron Tract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
2.7 The “American Indians” Debate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
2.8 Federal Government Attempts to Assimilate
First Nations People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
2.9 Separation of Stoney Point and Kettle Point from the
Sarnia Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
v
vi • REPORT OF THE IPPERWASH INQUIRY — VOLUME 1
2.10 Land Surrenders at Kettle Point and Stoney Point Reserves . . . . . . . . .37
2.10.1The Surrender of the Shoreline at Kettle Point Reserve . . . . . . . . . .37
2.10.2The Surrender of the Shoreline at Stoney Point Reserve . . . . . . . . .41
2.11 Stoney Point Beachfront Purchased by the Ontario Government:
Establishment of Ipperwash Provincial Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
2.12 Kettle and Stony Point Band Seek Protection of the
Burial Site in the Provincial Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
2.13 The Appropriation of Stoney Point Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
2.14 Desecration of the Burial Site at Stoney Point Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
2.15 Attempts at the Return of the Stoney Point Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
3. LIFE AT STONEY POINT PRIOR TO THE APPROPRIATION
BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
3.2 The Stoney Point Reserve Before the 1942 Appropriation . . . . . . . . . .65
3.3 Children of Former Stoney Point Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
3.4 Grandchildren of Former Stoney Point Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
3.5 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
4. THE 1942 APPROPRIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
4.2 Were There Alternative Suitable Sites for the Military Camp? . . . . . . .75
4.3 The Forced Relocation in Spring 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
4.4 First Nation People Serve in the Canadian Military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
5. EFFECTS OF THE APPROPRIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
5.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
5.2 Soldiers Return from War and Economic and
Emotional Hardship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
5.3 Desecration of the Burial Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
5.4 Friction Between Stoney Point and Kettle Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
6. MAY 1993–JULY 1995 — OCCUPATION OF THE
MILITARY RANGES AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
6.1 May 1993 — Occupation of the Ranges at CFB Ipperwash . . . . . . . . .89
6.2 Summer 1993 at Stoney Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
6.3 Marcia Simon’s Teaching about the Past and the
Traditional Sense of a Warrior Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
6.4 Interactions Between the Occupiers and the Military . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
6.5 July 1993 — Toll Collection Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
6.6 August 1993 — Incident with Kevin Simon’s Dwelling
and Possessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
6.7 August 23, 1993 — Helicopter Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
6.8 September 1993 — March to Ottawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
TABLE OF CONTENTS • vii
6.9 Winter 1993–1994 at Stoney Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
6.10 Efforts for the Return of the Army Camp — Announced
Return in 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
6.11 March 1994 — Tribute to Clifford George and Dudley George . . . . .105
6.12 Summer 1994 — OPP Policy and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
6.13 1994 Creation of Operation Maple by the Military and
the Arrival of Captain Howse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
6.14 1995 — Growing Frustration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
6.15 July 1995 — Cross-Cultural Awareness Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
6.16 June 1995 — Campaign and Election of Michael Harris and
the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
6.17 June–September 1995 — Ministries and Offices in the
Ontario Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
6.17.1The Structure of the Provincial Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
6.17.2The Role of Deputy Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
6.17.3Executive Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
6.17.4Cabinet Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
6.17.5Ministry of the Attorney General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
6.17.6The Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat (ONAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
6.17.7Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
6.17.8Ministry of the Solicitor General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
7. OCCUPATION OF THE ARMY BARRACKS,
“THE BUILT-UP AREA” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
7.1 Stoney Point People Decide it is Time to Reclaim
Their Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
7.2 Concrete Plans to Occupy the Army Barracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
7.3 The July 29 Occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
7.4 The Military Contacts the OPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
7.5 The Military Contacts a First Nations Negotiator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
7.6 July 30, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
7.7 July 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
7.8 “Outsiders” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
7.9 The Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Band Meeting –
August 1, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
7.10 The Band’s Press Release and Letter to the Occupiers . . . . . . . . . . . .149
7.11 Captain Smith Becomes the Military Liaison Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
7.12 Did the Occupiers have Firearms at the Army Camp? . . . . . . . . . . . .152
7.13 Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat (ONAS) Learns of the
Occupation at Camp Ipperwash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
7.14 The August 2 Interministerial Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
7.15 Premier Harris and Cabinet Ministers Apprised of
Army Camp Occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
viii • REPORT OF THE IPPERWASH INQUIRY — VOLUME 1
7.16 Activities of Police and MNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
7.17 The OPP Arrest Kevin Simon: A Case of Mistaken Identity . . . . . . .166
7.18 Undercover Police in Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
7.19 MPP Marcel Beaubien Voices His Concerns on West Ipperwash
to Cabinet Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
7.20 The OPP Meet with Marcel Beaubien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
7.21 Letter Written by Councillor Gerald George to the
Forest StandardNewspaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
8. OPP PREPARE FOR PARK OCCUPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
8.1 Confirmation First Nations People Plan to Occupy
Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
8.2 The OPP Planning Meeting — August 29, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
8.3 August 30 to August 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
8.4 The Development of Project Maple — September 1, 1995 . . . . . . . . .179
8.5 MNR Activity on September 1, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
8.6 Project Maple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
8.7 Intelligence under Project Maple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
8.7.1Expert Testimony on Police Intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
8.7.2Weaknesses in Intelligence under Project Maple . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
8.8 September 3, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
9. SEPTEMBER 4, 1995: THE OCCUPATION OF IPPERWASH
PROVINCIAL PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
9.1 Plans to Assume Control of the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
9.2 Reasons for Entering the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
9.3 The OPP Continues Its Preparations for a Possible
Occupation of the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
9.4 Confrontation with Roderick and Stewart George Before
the Park Occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
9.5 Trees Felled on Matheson Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
9.6 First Nations People Enter Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
9.7 Incident Commander Notified of Park Occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
9.8 Escalation of Events at Ipperwash Park: Flares and
Damage to a Police Cruiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
9.9 The Decision to Serve Notice of Trespass on the Occupiers . . . . . . . .207
9.10 Attempt by MNR/OPP to Serve Legal Documents on the
Occupiers Fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
9.11 Loss of Containment of the Provincial Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
9.12 Occupiers at the Park on the Night of September 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
10. SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
10.1 September 5, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
10.2 The OPP Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
TABLE OF CONTENTS • ix
10.3 Chief of Kettle and Stony Point Does Not Support
Park Occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
10.4 Concerns of the Mayor and the Town of Bosanquet . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
10.5 Request for a Private Line at the Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
10.6 OPP Surveillance and Protective Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
10.6.1 Surveillance from the Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
10.6.2 Video Cameras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
10.6.3 Boat Surveillance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
10.6.4 Light Armoured Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
10.6.5 Nomex Fire-Retardant Suits and Night Vision Glasses . . . . . . .229
10.7 Inspector Carson Informs His Command Team
of “Political Heat” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
10.7.1 Local MPP Marcel Beaubien Discusses Occupation with
Staff Sergeant Lacroix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
10.7.2 Staff Sergeant Lacroix Informs Inspector Carson of
Concerns of Provincial MPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
10.7.3 Inspector Carson Briefs His Command Team on Political
Pressure at Queen’s Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
10.8 Ontario Government Officials Notified of Occupation
of Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232
10.9 The September 5 Interministerial Committee Meeting . . . . . . . . . . .233
10.10 Why Was a Facilitator/Negotiator Not Appointed by the IMC? . . . .245
10.11 Inadequate Understanding by Political Staff of Colour of Right . . .246
10.12 Briefing of the Minister of Natural Resources Post–IMC
Meeting and MNR Press Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
10.13 MPP Beaubien Informs Bill King of the Premier’s Office
of His Plans to Issue a Press Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
10.14 Telephone Conversation between Ron Fox and
Inspector Carson after the IMC Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
10.15 Incident Commander Shares with OPP Officers Call from
Fox Post–IMC Meeting and the Views of Politicians . . . . . . . . . . . .252
10.16 MNR Park Superintendent Invited to Command
Post Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
10.17 Purpose of Police Checkpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
10.18 Reaction of the Aboriginal People to the Increased
Police Presence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
10.19 Plans to Initiate Dialogue with the Occupiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
10.19.1 Who Should Negotiate with the Aboriginal People? . . . . . . . . .262
10.19.2 Attempts to Communicate with the Occupiers Fail . . . . . . . . . .265
10.20 Work Done by Ontario Government Officials after
the IMC Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
10.21 The TRU Team Arrives on the Evening of September 5 . . . . . . . . . .269
10.22 Altercation with Police: The Picnic Table Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
x • REPORT OF THE IPPERWASH INQUIRY — VOLUME 1
10.23 Police Make Threatening Remarks to Dudley George . . . . . . . . . . . .274
10.24 Aggressive and Culturally Insensitive Remarks by
OPP Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
10.25 Reports of Gunfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
10.26 Intelligence at Ipperwash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
10.27 Call Between Superintendent Parkin and Inspector Linton . . . . . . . .285
10.28 Extent of the Occupation — Intentions of the Occupiers . . . . . . . . .286
10.29 Reaction of Government Officials on the Night
of September 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
11. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995: BEFORE 7:00 P.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
11.1 Inspector Carson Learns of Picnic Table Incident and
Reports of Automatic Gunfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
11.2 Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) Leader Shares Information
about Automatic Weapons with the TRU Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
11.3 Mayor of Bosanquet Visits OPP Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
11.4 Removal of Picnic Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
11.5 Continued Attempts to Obtain Armoured Vehicles and
Other Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
11.6 Is the Telephone Line Recorded? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
11.7 Contact with Inspector Hutchinson in Gustafsen Lake . . . . . . . . . . .300
11.8 Missed Opportunities in Intelligence Gathering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
11.9 Captain Smith Offers His Assistance to the OPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
11.10 Chief Superintendent Coles and Superintendent Parkin Visit
the Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306
11.11 Call between Ron Fox and Mark Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307
11.12 Preparations for the Injunction: Communication Between
MAG Lawyer and Inspector Carson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
11.13 Attempts to Communicate with the Occupiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
11.14 Mark Wright’s Attempts to Communicate with the
Park Occupiers Fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
11.15 Bonnie Bressette Visits Ipperwash Park on September 6:
“Everybody has a right to have a sit-in or a protest ….
It’s to create an awareness” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319
11.16 MNR’s Presence at the Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322
11.17 MPP Beaubien Appears at the Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323
11.18 Reaction of Occupiers to the Perceived Increased
Police Presence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326
11.19 Vince George’s Concerns about Possible Burial Grounds
in the Park and Helicopter Surveillance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330
11.20 Chief Tom Bressette Notified of Alarming Comments
from the Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331
TABLE OF CONTENTS • xi
11.21 Mark Wright Stops Residents from Marching to
Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333
11.22 Inspector Carson Leaves the Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335
12. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 — GOVERNMENT MEETINGS TO
ADDRESS THE IPPERWASH OCCUPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
12.1 Seeking Direction from the Attorney General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
12.2 The September 6 IMC Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339
12.2.1 Status Reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources and
the Ministry of the Solicitor General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340
12.2.2 No Negotiations with the Occupiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343
12.2.3 Who Will Be the Spokesperson for the Government
on the Occupation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
12.2.4 An Injunction – With or Without Notice to the Occupiers? . . . .346
12.2.5 Possibility of First Nations Burial Grounds in the Park . . . . . . .347
12.2.6 Tension in the Local Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349
12.2.7 Heated Exchange – Separation of Government from
Police Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350
12.2.8 Facilitator Not Appointed: Reliance on the OPP as the
“Communicator” – Another Missed Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . .351
12.2.9 Frustrations and Concerns of the IMC Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354
12.2.10 Conclusions Reached by the IMC Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
12.3 “AG Instructed by P That He Desires Removal
Within 24 Hours” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356
12.4 The “Dining Room” Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358
12.4.1 Offensive Comments Heard by Attorney General Harnick . . . .360
12.4.2 Premier Harris is Cautioned about the Separation of Police
and Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364
12.4.3 Deputy Solicitor General Hears Offensive Remarks from
Minister of Natural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365
12.4.4 Seconded Police Officers at the Premier’s Dining
Room Meeting – Was the Premier Critical of the OPP? . . . . . .367
12.4.5 Seconded Police Officers at the Premier’s Dining Room:
Perception of Political Interference in Police Operations? . . . . .371
12.4.6 Exchange between Minister Hodgson and the Seconded
Police Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375
12.4.7 Was There a Comment about the Holocaust and, if so,
in What Context? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377
12.4.8 What Was Decided at the Dining Room Meeting? . . . . . . . . . .378
12.5 Mr. Fox Shares His Views of the Premier’s Dining Room
Meeting with the OPP Incident Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380
12.5.1 Ron Fox Calls Inspector Carson at the Command Post . . . . . . .380
12.5.2 The Effect of the Call on the Incident Commander . . . . . . . . . .387
12.5.3 Ron Fox is Chastised by His Superiors for Inappropriate
Language and Criticism of the Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .389
xii • REPORT OF THE IPPERWASH INQUIRY — VOLUME 1
12.6 Christie–Taman Exchange — Instructions to Proceed
Immediately . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391
13. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 — MISCOMMUNICATION AND
POOR INTELLIGENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .393
13.1 Encounter between Mark Wright and First Nations People . . . . . . . .393
13.2 Whose Car Was Damaged, By Whom, and How? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397
13.2.1 The Altercation between Stewart George and Gerald George . . .397
13.2.2 Gerald George Reports the Incident to the Police . . . . . . . . . . . .400
13.3 Detective Constable Dew Reports Weapons and “Women and
Children” Leaving the Army Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401
13.4 Inadequate Intelligence: A Serious Failing at Ipperwash . . . . . . . . .408
13.5 Occupiers Prepare for the OPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411
13.6 Mark Wright Conveys “Escalating Events” to Carson and
Complains Linton is “Waffling” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .413
13.7 Inspector Linton Instructs the CMU Commander and TRU
Team Leader to Report to Forest Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .417
13.8 Inspector Carson Tells Inspector Linton Not to Deploy TRU . . . . . .418
13.9 TRU Instructed Not to Proceed to Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .422
13.10 Mark Wright Tells MAG Lawyer: “They’re coming out
for a fight down to the road so we’re [taking] all the marines
down now” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .423
13.11 John Carson Returns to the Command Post: A Decision
is Made to Mobilize the CMU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .425
13.12 TRU Told Imitation AK-47s, Mini Ruger 14s, and
Other Weapons Possibly at the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .428
13.13 CMU Assembles at the Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .429
13.14 Inspector Linton Notifies MAG Lawyer of Trouble at
Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .434
13.15 Inspector Linton Tells Superintendent Parkin:
Tonight’s the Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .434
14. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 — THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
OF PRECIPITOUS ACTION: CONFRONTATION BETWEEN
THE OPP AND THE FIRST NATIONS OCCUPIERS . . . . . . . . . . . . .439
14.1 The CMU Commander and His Team Drive to TOC . . . . . . . . . . . . .439
14.2 The Decision to Send the CMU Down East Parkway Drive . . . . . . .440
14.3 The Incident Commander and TRU Leader Arrive at TOC . . . . . . . .443
14.4 CMU Officers Congregate at TOC to Prepare for
Their Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .444
14.5 TRU Officers Assemble at TOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .445
14.6 The Sierra Teams Are Deployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .448
14.7 Cecil Bernard George Returns to the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .449
14.8 Briefing before CMU is Deployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .450
TABLE OF CONTENTS • xiii
14.9 CMU March Down East Parkway Drive Toward
Ipperwash Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .451
14.10 Anxiety of First Nations People as They Watch
the Police Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454
14.11 The CMU Arrive at the Sandy Parking Lot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .455
14.12 Cecil Bernard George Walks into the Sandy Parking Lot:
“Punchout” by the CMU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .459
14.13 Altercation between the OPP and Cecil Bernard George . . . . . . . . .464
14.14 The Bus and Car Emerge from the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .468
14.15 The OPP Shoot at the Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .472
14.16 The OPP Shoot at the School Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .474
14.17 Dudley George is Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475
14.18 First Nations People Run to Dudley George after He is Shot . . . . . .478
14.19 Officers Ordered to Return to TOC after Dudley is Shot . . . . . . . . .481
14.20 CMU and TRU Return to TOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .481
14.21 Call between Ovide Mercredi and Mark Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .483
14.22 No TRU Transmissions of the Confrontation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .484
14.23 An Aboriginal Protest is Different from a Soccer Crowd:
Lack of Understanding of Aboriginal History and Culture . . . . . . . .486
14.24 Responsibility for the Decision to Deploy the CMU and TRU . . . . .487
15. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 — PURSUIT AND ARREST OF
MARCIA SIMON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .493
15.1 Arrival at Payphone in Northville and the Arrest of Marcia Simon .495
16. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 — NICHOLAS COTTRELLE IS
TRANSPORTED BY FOREST AMBULANCE TO
STRATHROY HOSPITAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .501
16.1 OPP’s Contact with Ambulance Dispatcher and Forest
Ambulance Prior to Injuries Sustained by the Occupiers . . . . . . . . . .501
16.2 Popping Noises: Ambulances Dispatched to Highway 21 and
Army Camp Road to Transport Nicholas Cottrelle to Hospital . . . . .504
16.3 Forest Paramedics Hide in Ditch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507
16.4 The Ambulance Trip to Strathroy Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510
16.5 Patients from Ipperwash Begin to Arrive at Strathroy Hospital . . . .511
16.6 Arrival of Nicholas Cottrelle at Strathroy Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .512
16.7 Police Presence at Strathroy Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .513
16.8 Presence of Foreign Particle in X-Ray of Nicholas Cottrelle . . . . . .514
16.9 Gun Residue Tests Performed on Nicholas Cottrelle . . . . . . . . . . . . .515
17. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 — CECIL BERNARD GEORGE
IS TRANSPORTED BY ST. JOHN AMBULANCE TO
STRATHROY HOSPITAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .517
17.1 St. John Ambulance Volunteers are Dispatched to Ipperwash . . . . . .517