Obey Canadian Law First..........

The government has much to answer for and the major item is their failure to take action against lawbreakers. It is the people of Canada that deserve an apology.

The Ipperwash warning: Heal native scars, or else
June 1

The Canadian government took land from Chippewa aboriginals near Ipperwash for an army base in 1942 and promised to give the land back as soon as World War II was over.

During a native protest to reclaim that land in 1995, the OPP killed an aboriginal named Dudley George. This led to an inquiry.

On May 31, 2007, Justice Sidney Linden released the findings and recommendations of his inquiry into the events that led to the killing of George.

In a nutshell, Linden said that government haste to end the protest, lack of communication and OPP cultural insensitivity were factors in George's death.

The report is all well and good but it does not address the underlying issue, which led to the protest in the first place. The land claim still hasn't been settled 12 years after the killing of Dudley George and 62 years after the end of World War II.

It seems the government was quick to stop the protest but not so quick to settle the Chippewa land claim.

No wonder aboriginals get frustrated. When will Canadian governments learn they have to address native issues more quickly?

Garry Horsnell, Brantford, Ont.

Spare me the word play that Justice Sidney Linden uses in his mild admonishment of former premier Mike Harris on his contribution to the Ipperwash conflict that led to Dudley George's death. What is plainly witnessed at the Ipperwash inquiry are the same problems that have hovered over the aboriginal people of Ontario for many decades and were exacerbated by Harris, whose prime directive was results no matter who was affected or pushed aside. George was only one of the many casualties of the Harris era in Ontario.

While many Ontarians shake their heads at First Nations land claims, one can plainly allude to instances such as Ipperwash whereby lax and stagnant federal and provincial governments refuse to make good on their promises to aboriginal people. Now is the time for all Canadians to embrace the First Nations people in their struggle to have land returned to them so we can move forward together without a divisible line between us.

Daniel Kowbell, Toronto

The suggestion that Mike Harris has been exonerated by the Ipperwash report is nonsense. Justice Sidney Linden has found that Harris made racist comments. The people of Ontario are entitled to expect that their premier, most of all, will conduct himself in accordance with the letter and the spirit of constitutional principles and values.

Harris's comments were consistent with neither. He should apologize and should accept personal responsibility for his comments and actions. His refusal to apologize has only added insult to injury.

Joseph Colangelo, Richmond Hill

I am totally fed up with the behaviour and attitude of the militant aboriginal population. This whole issue of endless demands and threats of civil disobedience must end. Justice Sidney Linden's comment that "public officials and institutions need to be held accountable for their actions" should be expanded to demand accountability from those natives who deliberately have broken the law.

What is needed now is courageous government leadership, such that the interests of the majority are not ignored on the altar of political correctness and crass political gain.

Paul Kennedy, Brighton, Ont.