Sam George's life remembered and honoured

NEWS RELEASE

ANISHINABEK NATION

OFFICE OF THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO

************************* Anishinabek mourning the passing of Sam George

NIPISSING FIRST NATION (June 3, 2009) - The Anishinabek Nation has declared a four-day period of mourning with the passing of Maynard "Sam" George.

Sacred fires have been asked to burn for four days, and that all Anishinabek Nation flags be set at half mast.

Sam passed away early this morning surrounded by family and friends.

He had been ill for some time.

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, on behalf of the 42-member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation has issued the following statement:

"It is with deep regret that I declare a four-day period of mourning to acknowledge the passing of our good friend and leader Sam George.

I ask all First Nations, leaders and citizens of the Anishinabek Nation to remember and celebrate Sam's life and contributions to our Nation.

Sam is a true Ogitchidaa - a warrior of kindness and servitude.

A humble man who bestowed the virtues of our most sacred teachings and all we hold dear as Anishinabek people.

Many of us are happy to call him our friend.

Sam's leadership role in the Ipperwash Inquiry, its resultant social and policy changes is a legacy that will resonate forever in the history of Ontario.

Sam did all of this to honour the memory of his brother, Dudley George.

Today, Dudley and Sam will celebrate a victory dance in the Spirit World, surrounded by our ancestors and our mightiest warriors of our Nation.

Our thoughts today are with Sam's wife Veronica and members of the George family.

We share in their loss."

Maynard "Sam" George was a citizen of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.

During the occupation of Ipperwash Provincial Park, his brother, Anthony.

"Dudley" George, was shot and killed by an OPP sniper on September 6, 1995.

Sam led the legal battle to call the government and the police into account.

After years of legal wrangling, the government call the Ipperwash Inquiry and the final report issued by Justice Sidney Linden in 2007.

The inquiry made a number of recommendations to improve relationships with First Nations, government and police, land claim reforms, treaty implementation, and led to the establishment of the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

Sam also served as band councillor for his home community, and worked with the elders and youth.

Sam was a traditional drum carrier and a devout family man.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6 at his home at Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.

The Anishinabek Nation established 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.

************************* Premier McGuinty offers condolences on the passing Of Sam George

TORONTO, June 3 - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today released the following statement regarding the passing of Sam George:

"It is with great sadness that Ontarians have learned of the passing of Sam George, a determined, dedicated and peaceful advocate for the rights of Aboriginal people.

Out of the tragedy of his brother's death, Sam made it his own life's work to seek justice and to promote tolerance so that other families could live in peace and prosperity.

People who worked with him and knew him joined his journey in search of truth and stuck with him because they didn't want to let him down.

I found him to be a person who could argue passionately and forcefully for his own cause while listening carefully and with great consideration to the views of others.

He was instrumental in creating a new relationship between the Government of Ontario and Aboriginal people.

On behalf of all Ontarians, our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Veronica and to his children Don, Tammy and Yvonne.

Together, we will honour Sam George's legacy by continuing to strive for justice, equality and opportunity for Aboriginal people and for all Ontarians."

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