Ipperwash Timeline

Fri, June 1, 2007

By London Free Press

CHRONOLOGY

May 1942 -- Eighteen Chippewa families from Stoney Point reserve removed from Ipperwash and relocated to Kettle Point reserve. Ottawa promises to return land after Second World War.

June 1980 -- Federal government pays band $2.5 million, saying it will return land when military no longer needs camp it built there.

April 16, 1992 -- Band members serve army with eviction notice.

May 7, 199 * -- Former residents and their families move into Camp Ipperwash.

Feb. 22, 1994 -- Government promises to return land after environmental assessment and cleanup.

July 29, 1995 -- Stoney Pointers, a rebel faction, take control of camp. Military leaves voluntarily.

Sept. 4, 1995 -- Some Stoney Pointers walk into nearby Ipperwash Provincial Park.

Sept. 6, 1995 -- Ontario Provincial Police move in on park. Dudley George shot by police sniper and killed during melee outside park.

July 23, 1996 -- Provincial Special Investigations Unit recommends Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kenneth Deane be charged with criminal negligence causing death.

April 28, 1997 -- Deane found guilty.

July 3, 1997 -- Deane sentenced to two years less a day to be served in community.

July 30, 1997 -- Minutes from meeting held hours before the shooting and obtained by The CP reveal Ontario Premier Mike Harris wanted aboriginal protesters out of park and "nothing else."

June 18, 1998 -- Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart and chief elect Norman Shawnoo sign $26.3-million pact returning 900-hectare former military base, including beachfront land, to Stoney Point natives.

Sept. 19, 2001 -- Deane apologizes to George's family during hearing to determine whether he will be stripped of police badge.

Jan. 18, 2002 -- Deane asked to submit resignation.

Sept. 23, 2002 -- Deane resigns after abandoning appeal.

Nov. 12, 200 * -- Ontario's new Liberal government announces inquiry into George's shooting.

July 13, 2004 -- Inquiry begins.

July 19, 2005 -- Provincial Police Supt. Ron Fox testifies Harris didn't direct police action against protesters at Ipperwash, but made it clear he wanted occupiers removed quickly.

Nov. 28, 2005 -- Former attorney general Charles Harnick stuns inquiry by testifying Harris used an obscene slur in reference to removing aboriginal protesters during a meeting just hours before George was shot.

Feb. 14, 2006 -- Harris begins his testimony, admitting he wanted aboriginals out of park "as soon as possible" because he viewed the occupation as illegal -- but stressed he knew he didn't have authority to direct police operations.

Feb. 25, 2006 -- Deane dies in a car crash in eastern Ontario, a month before he was to testify at inquiry.

Aug. 24, 2006 -- Inquiry ends with final submissions. Sam George, Dudley's brother, says now "Dudley can rest."

May 31, 2007 -- Inquiry commissioner Sidney Linden presents his final report, finding the federal and provincial governments and provincial police all partially responsible for George's death.