Anishinabek applaud OPP conduct in Caledonia

NEWS RELEASE

UNION OF ONTARIO INDIANS

******************** First Nations support OPP Commissioner VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - First Nations in Ontario are supporting the non-confrontational approach by Ontario Provincial Police at the scene of the land claim dispute in Caledonia.

"We applaud OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface's courageous and diplomatic approach. She has the utmost confidence and support of First Nations leadership," said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, leader of the 42 member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation. "It is evident that the OPP have learned from their past mistakes and Commissioner Boniface wants to ensure those mistakes are not repeated."

Beaucage was speaking from the annual general meeting of the Assembly of First Nations in Vancouver.

Chiefs attending the Assembly have expressed concern over published criticisms of Commissioner Boniface's response to the Caledonia situation and suggestions that she should resign.

"The Ontario Provincial Police are acting as true 'peace officers' in their role at Caledonia," said Beaucage. "There is great honour in showing restraint and making good decisions. Being a peacekeeper shouldn't be considered by anyone to be shameful, a sign of weakness or supporting lawlessness."

"Unfortunately, there is a small element of society that would advocate police violence and confrontation in situations involving First Nations land rights," said the Grand Council Chief. "We have all seen the tragic results of this approach, most recently at Ipperwash in 1995."

"Negotiation and level-headedness is the right way to resolve these types of disagreements," said Beaucage. "The cost of conflict is becoming too high to pay."

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its secretariat in 1949.

The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario.

The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

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