Benefit concert raises cash for Native education scholarship

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A benefit concert held at Toronto's historic Massey Hall on Oct. 10 was supposed to raise money for the George family of Stoney Point, Ont. to fight a wrongful death lawsuit against the Ontario Provincial Police and former Ontario premier Mike Harris. Instead, it turned into a fundraiser for a new Aboriginal education fund.

The Harris government, which was in office during the 1995 protest at Ipperwash Provincial Park during which Dudley George was shot and killed, "spent millions of taxpayers' dollars fighting an inquiry," said benefit organizer Martin Long, but Ontario's newly-elected Liberal government announced it would call an inquiry into George's death. As a result, the George family settled the lawsuit out of court.

"We don't need to fight for an inquiry anymore," Long said, "so we decided to celebrate the fact that the George family got what they wanted.

"We don't have all the details settled yet, but we will create a scholarship fund to support [Native education], and we will consult with the Native community about how to manage that fund and how to use the money. This will give us an opportunity to remember Dudley in a more permanent way," Long said.

The benefit was organized and sponsored by the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT), an 11,000-member chapter of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. The ETT paid all the costs associated with the concert, including hall rental and artists' travel expenses and fees.

"Every penny raised tonight will go into the fund," Long said.

Jazz singer Molly Johnson was the stand-out act of the night, contributing a performance that was soulful and accomplished. Johnson was humble, funny, and sexy, and her strong alto voice was completely unforced.

"It's such a thrill to be here," said Johnson, who is African Canadian. "I feel blessed-me, a little mixed-race girl from downtown Toronto, welcomed and accepted by Aboriginal people. It's such an honour."

Other highlights included blues sensation Derek Miller, who blazed across the stage and growled into the microphone. The Old Mush Singers from the Six Nations Reserve performed their first song outside the auditorium doors, then filed down the centre aisle to the stage, to the delight of the crowd.

And when Mi'kmaq fingerstyle guitarist Don Ross played songs from his new CD, Robot Monster-his first recording in four years-the audience hollered for more.

Asked why he agreed to appear at the benefit, Ross answered, "It's a cause that's bugged me for a long time. When the opportunity came along to help, I took it.

"I don't usually make political statements in my music. The music I do is celebratory. But I think it's important to make a positive statement with my music, and this is a positive statement."

The audience of nearly 3,000 was mixed in terms of age and ethnic background, and was composed of teachers, social activists, First Nations people, and other concerned citizens. Federal NDP leader Jack Layton and other notables were also in attendance. Long, who is president of the organization, remarked on the mixed crowd.

"Tonight is about bringing Native and non-Native people together," Long said. "This is what Dudley has done."

Several people, including members of the ETT's political action committee, George family lawyer Murray Klippenstein and Greenpeace Canada executive director Peter Tabuns, addressed the audience. At the end of the concert, Dudley George's brother Sam and other members of the George family were ushered onstage. Sam George thanked author Peter Edwards, who wrote the book One Dead Indian: The Premier, The Police, and The Ipperwash Crisis, and he also thanked the audience.

The ETT raised $46,000 from ticket sales and from donations received during the concert, said Long.