Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Greetings!

This is just a short note to acknowledge the great support we got on Saturday for the "Aboriginal Rights ARE Human Rights" Forum at City Hall, and at the potluck social at the Native Centre.

The Coalition for a Public Inquiry is holding a Public Information Meeting March 29, 2000, 6-8 p.m., Native Canadian Centre, 16 Spadina Road (just north of Bloor). All Welcome: Come hear about our plans and help us brainstorm upcoming strategies.

Now for a little news (but not a whole newsletter).

Between 225 and 250 showed up at for the Forum, and heard Martin Scheinin, Marilyn Buffalo, Sam George, Trisha Monture-Angus and Carlos Chen Osorio speak. A transcript of Martin Scheinin's presentation will be posted on our website during the next few days, and we're trying to find volunteers to help with the others... any takers?

More than 200 people also showed up at the NCC for the terrific meal, at least half of them being supporters who didn't make the Forum but wanted to join in the events.

And everyone was very generous with donations of $$ and food. Way to go, people! It makes those of us in the core group who do a lot of the work feel like it's all worth while. Thanks.

Another organization just recently formed, which I'm pretty sure has the name "Coalition for Justice for Dudley George", also organized events to commemorate the birth date of Dudley George. In addition to vigils in several cities on the evening of March 17th, they also planned an event on the 18th. Their event involved a rally in Sarnia, and a protest in front of the OPP HQ near Sarnia which covers the Stoney Point/Ipperwash Park area. According to news reports, they also had good attendance - the papers say 150 people (from across southern Ontario), so possibly it was even more than that! (Unfortunately, the press also gave considerable print space to an action, apparently taken by a few individuals in that group, in which the Canadian and Ontario flags were ripped down.)

As for our event here in Toronto, the press missed it altogether (despite 2 weeks of solid media work)! But, we'll be making up for that by circulating these transcripts - which are chock full of terrific analysis, excellent strategic ideas and solid information about what's going on now, from a wide set of perspectives. So, tune into our website by weeks-end to read what Martin Scheinin said, and VOLUNTEER now to transcribe the other speeches (PLEASE).

Regardless of how the press does or doesn't treat our events - the good news is that - adding these numbers together - AT LEAST 500 people, WHO ARE STILL ANGRY AND UPSET about what happened at Ipperwash in September 1995, came out on March 18th. Ottawa and Queen's Park must be aggravated that we don't go away... and it's clear we won't. Why don't they just, as Martin Scheinin said, fulfill "their international treaty obligations" and call the inquiry?

In solidarity,

Ann Pohl
Spokesperson, Coalition for a Public Inquiry