For Immediate Release:
May 11, 2006 – Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse expressed
disappointment today after learning that members of the Ontario
Provincial Police, after the shooting of Anthony “Dudley” George,
issued two racially charged tee-shirts commemorating the event.
Regional Chief Toulouse stated, “The relationship between
First Nations and the OPP has been and continues to be tumultuous.
This type of event demonstrates that we have a lot of work to do
to build awareness and understanding.” The general public
became aware of a tee-shirt and a coffee mug following the 1995
shooting when these items appeared in a gift shop in Forrest, Ontario.
This fact was also disclosed as evidence at the Ipperwash Inquiry
in January of this year. However, the OPP was not forthright with
their knowledge of a second tee-shirt which was disclosed through
evidence today at the Inquiry.
Regional Chief Toulouse questions, “How are we to build respectful
relationships with the OPP if we, the First Nations, have to learn
about this incident not from OPP officials but rather through evidence
presented during the Inquiry?” Although the OPP has issued
a formal letter of apology, the damage to the relationship has
already been done.
On March 8 and 9, 2006 the Chiefs of Ontario made a presentation
to the Ipperwash Inquiry, on request from Commissioner Sydney Linden.
The purpose of the presentation was to educate Commissioner Linden
and the Inquiry about existing systemic racism and land claim issues
that have adverse effects on the relationship between the OPP and
First Nations.
Many, if not all issues and conflicts, stem from the fact that
First Nations land claims remain unresolved. In a presentation
made by the youth delegation, Commissioner Linden was reminded
of Dr. John Hylton’s premise that systemic racism continues
to exist in the OPP because the organization’s current recruitment
process attracts “male toughness and machismo” types.
Tee-shirts and coffee mugs reflecting and promoting racism, presumably
created by OPP officers, supports this theory.
First Nations across Ontario acknowledge that the OPP have duties
and obligations to fulfill but Regional Chief Toulouse expressed
concerns with the current system, “First Nations have not
received fair and equal treatment in the Canadian justice system.
We have valid land claims that sit for years on end, without
resolve. When a stand is taken, First Nations are accused and
charged with breaking the law but the Crown governments are not
held accountable. We, the First Nations and the OPP, must continue
to work collaboratively and in good faith to build a respectful
and trusting relationship.”
For more information Contact:
Pam Hunter
Communications Advisor
(905) 683-0322
(613) 203-3233
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