Ipperwash Report recommendation ignored with new Ministry for Indigenous Affairs

ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (July 3, 2018)— Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare says that while there is still a Ministry for Indigenous Affairs, it is lumped with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

“A stand-alone ministry was one of the key recommendations from the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry,” says Grand Council Chief Hare.  “A significant amount of work is underway with Ontario and we anticipate that this will still remain a priority. We look forward to working with the new Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford to ensure that we still have a voice at the table for our 40 First Nations.”

Kettle & Stony Point First Nation Chief Tom Bressette says that we must not forget that unarmed Dudley George was killed by an OPP sniper for defending the land in 1995.

“Many recommendations came out of the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry in 2007,” says Chief Bressette.  “The report was clear – you can’t have a ministry with its main focus on other issues also in charge of Indigenous relations.  Now we have the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs along with Energy and Northern Development and Mines.”