Ipperwash Inquiry

Ipperwash Inquiry is an inquiry into the 1995 shooting death of Anthony Dudley George.

In Anishinabek News

• May 2014: The 2007 report from the Ipperwash Inquiry included 100 recommendations, 40 of which concerned policing in Ontario. The inquiry was established after an Ontario Provincial Police sniper killed Dudley George at the former Ipperwash Provincial Park. The inquiry recommended that governments recognize self-administered First Nation police services as the primary providers in their communities.
• June 2014: The Ipperwash Inquiry produced 100 recommendations following the 1995 shooting of Dudley George. Patrick Madahbee called on the Liberal government to expedite action on the findings of the Ipperwash Inquiry.
• September 2014: The 2007 report from this inquiry included 100 recommendations, with over forty focused on a peacekeeping approach to policing. The inquiry cautioned against the convergence of political interests and public policing during Indigenous land disputes. The report called for a reduction in political interference regarding how police handle occupations and protests.
• September 2014: The Ipperwash Inquiry marked the first time a provincial premier was required to testify regarding the death of a First Nations person.
• October 2014: The Ipperwash Inquiry determined that Mike Harris helped create an environment that made the death of Anthony Dudley George more likely. The inquiry examined the provincial government's response to First Nations treaty rights claims.
• July 2015: This inquiry investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Anthony Dudley George. The report is cited as one of several major studies whose recommendations have faced government paralysis.
• September 2015: The 2007 report from this inquiry recommended that federal and provincial governments recognize First Nation police services as primary providers in their communities. The inquiry was established following the fatal shooting of Dudley George at Ipperwash Provincial Park. Forty of the 100 recommendations made in the final report concerned policing in Ontario.
• March 2016: The inquiry concluded that the conduct of Mike Harris helped create an atmosphere that made the death of Dudley George more likely.
• October 2016: Chief Paibomsai included this inquiry among several reports that highlight the need for the government to change its practices.
• June 2020: The Ipperwash Inquiry produced a report with recommendations intended to improve relationships between police services and First Nations organizations. Recommendation #53 of the Ipperwash Inquiry urged the development of communication networks to be used during Indigenous occupations and protests.
• August 2020: The inquiry resulted in a 2007 report led by Sidney Linden that examined the history and aftermath of the crisis. It recommended that police remain neutral as to the underlying issue in any protest or occupation involving Indigenous people. While seen as a victory for the community, some members of the Union of Ontario Indians viewed the inquiry as a compromise.
• September 2020: The inquiry was established by Dalton McGuinty to investigate the 1995 shooting of Anthony George. The 2007 report from the inquiry confirmed that First Nations protestors were unarmed and that a burial ground existed at the site. The inquiry recommended the return of lands to First Nations people and proposed a democratic policing model. The inquiry was led by Sidney Linden and involved 17 parties with legal standing.
• September 2020: Established on April 20, 2004, the inquiry examined the Ipperwash Crisis and provided recommendations to avoid future violence. The final report, released in 2007, found the Ontario Provincial Police and the provincial and federal governments responsible for the death of Anthony George. The Union of Ontario Indians held official standing during the second part of the inquiry.
• January 2021: This inquiry concluded that the actions of Mike Harris as premier contributed to the death of Dudley George.
• March 2021: The inquiry concluded in 2007 that miscommunication between police units led to the wrongful arrest of Pierre George and his sister. It investigated the 1995 events at Ipperwash Provincial Park and made recommendations to prevent future violence. The inquiry heard testimony regarding alleged comments made by former Ontario Premier Mike Harris before the police action.
• May 2021: The inquiry concluded in 2007, leading to a provincial promise to return park lands to the Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.
• January 2022: The final report of the inquiry was released in 2007. Tom Bressette worked to help settle the inquiry and advocated for the implementation of its recommendations.
• September 2022: The inquiry was led by Commissioner Sidney Linden and resulted in 100 recommendations. It concluded that the actions of Mike Harris contributed to the environment that led to the death of Anthony Dudley George. The hearings took place in the town of Forest and marked the first time an Ontario premier was summoned to such a hearing.
• September 2024: The inquiry's report was released in 2007 following the shooting death of Dudley George at Ipperwash. The Anishinabek Nation noted in September 2024 that many of the 100 recommendations have seen little to no movement toward implementation. Recommendations from the inquiry include the establishment of a Treaty Commission of Ontario and an Ontario First Nation Reconciliation Fund.
• September 2024: The inquiry was led by Commissioner Sidney Linden and released its final report in 2007. It found that the actions of Mike Harris contributed to an environment that made the 1995 tragedy more likely.
• April 2025: The inquiry concluded that the atmosphere created by Mike Harris contributed to the circumstances of the fatal shooting. It investigated testimony regarding a statement attributed to the former premier about wanting the Indigenous land defenders out of the park. Maurice Switzer attended the commission and has written about its findings for nearly 30 years.
• June 2026: The Ipperwash Inquiry recommended increased public education regarding treaty rights and Indigenous peoples following the death of Anthony Dudley George.