Dudley George book launch consolidates support

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." So said American Anthropologist Margaret Mead. No group of people could more ably demonstrate the truth of her words than the group who gathered at Madison's Pub in Toronto on the evening of April 17th. The occasion was the official launch of the paperback edition of One Dead Indian, which relates the infamous history of the police shooting of Dudley George at Ipperwash. Written by Toronto Star reporter/photographer Peter Edwards and published by McClelland & Stewart, One Dead Indian first appeared in hardcover in September 2001. The paperback edition contains new material, but not "the final chapter," according to the book's author, Edwards.

Edwards believes the book will be finished when there is a full public inquiry into the shooting death of Dudley George, and he wants "to write that chapter."

Could any family in Ontario be so closely linked to the province as the George family? A cloud has hung over them, the police and provincial politicians since Sept. 6, 1995. Yet the book launch was a boisterous, happy affair, which brought many people together to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments to date and pledge their continued support. "Everyone here has contributed something," said Edwards. "People have their own genuine reasons for being involved, and no one group has ownership of this." He added, "So many organizations want to get on board."

To McClelland & Stewart Publisher Doug Gibson, who is "proud to be part of a system of free speech that even a premier can be called to account," One Dead Indian is "a remarkable book." It has a tough, brutal title for a tough, brutal tale. He credits Edwards and the Toronto Star for their work and their on-going involvement. Joining Edwards and Gibson at the book launch were Sam and Veronica George, George family lawyer Murray Klippenstein, and Liberal MPP Gerry Phillips.

Sharon Menow spoke on behalf of the Coalition for a Public Inquiry into Ipperwash, and Donny Wayne Tabobandung kept busy all evening selling t-shirts and buttons to raise money for the coalition. Other guests included Martin Long, president of Elementary Teachers of Toronto, and Dennis Fox, from the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario's political action committee.

"Educators, especially history teachers," said Edwards, "have really pushed this thing along." Following a March 2, 2002, benefit concert at Convocation Hall in Toronto, Edwards spent six weeks lecturing at high schools.

Edwards likes to talk about Sam George more than himself. Calling him "a walking conscience for everybody," he related Sam's work as a counsellor with troubled Native youth. Sam George, when he spoke to the crowd, thanked the legal people, and "Peter, Murray and Gerry. It means a lot to my wife and my family," he said, adding he would keep on with the "continuous work to get to where we want to go."

Philips echoed Edwards' opening remarks by saying, "there will be a final chapter in that book" as he promised to keep pressing for an inquiry in the Ontario legislature.

To Klippenstein, One Dead Indian is a "wonderful piece of writing." He thanked the book's editors, and Veronica George, a "source of quiet strength."

"Why hasn't this story died?" asked Martin Long, who represents 11,000 public elementary school teachers. He believes it is kept alive by "good, honest, decent people who are telling the truth."

They plan to establish an Aboriginal education fund named after Dudley George, to support Aboriginal education students in the public school system. A concert will be held at Massey Hall in October to raise money. These plans show that "they are not just dwelling on negative things" said Edwards.

Edwards knows people feel "huge impatience, because there's a sense of what's right and wrong, and this is wrong."

The book One Dead Indian tells it straight about the evens that led up to the death of Dudley George: the lawsuits, court cases, and the ongoing struggle for a public inquiry. Reading it, you can sense the dedication and commitment of those who are determined to see things through to the end. The words "faith" and "belief" figure prominently in this book. Perhaps not so surprisingly, One Dead Indian shows that there is still faith and belief that the cloud that hangs over the George family and provincial authorities will be dispersed.