Everyone To Blame But The Indians

The Blameless

Joel Johannesen;

No word on what might have happened at Ipperwash in 1995 if the natives didn’t set up blockades, occupy a provincial park, firebomb buildings, assault people, drive a native school bus into the Canadian military’s drill hall, then take possession of the base after defence staff fled, then later drive a speeding bus toward police, followed by a speeding car which actually rams right over four police officers, and generally stage militant mayhem in the community, before shots rang out by police.

Posted by Kate at 1:07 AM

Jonathan Kay on the Ipperwash report

Ontario’s Harris-bashers won’t be happy: The head of the inquiry into the 1995 killing of Dudley George at Ipperwash Provincial Park has concluded that Mike Harris, the former Premier, didn’t order police into the park to remove unarmed protesters. Instead, commissioner Sidney Linden found, blame was widely shared: Among those parties that bore “some” responsibility were Mr. Harris’ government, Ottawa and the provincial police.

This report marks a good time for some national introspection about native policy. Since 1995, politicians have been afraid to confront native criminals who set up barricades and seize private property — for fear that someone will get hurt, and another Ipperwash will be laid at their door. Through their inaction, our leaders have encouraged a proliferation of native lawlessness, such as the ongoing disgrace at Caledonia, Ont.

It is time for that to change. Dudley George’s killing was a tragedy. But it should not continue to be used as a pretext to turn a blind eye to criminal behaviour.