June 2, 1998
To: Premier Glen Clark
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
Email: premier@gov.bc.ca
Mr. Chretien, Mr. Clark,
We are writing to you to request a full and public inquiry into the events that occurred at Gustafsen Lake BC and Ipperwash Ontario in the summer of 1995. At the recent Assembly of First Nations convention a resolution moved by Chief Stewart Philip of the Penticton Indian Band, seconded by Chief Ron Jules of the Adams Lake Band, was moved which reads as follows:
Resolution #19/97
Subject: Call for an Inquiry into Canadian Government and Police Actions
WHEREAS in both the Gustafsen Lake and Ipperwash incidents, the actions of government and police officials in using excessive force against First Nations citizens is unacceptable; and
WHEREAS governments are attempting to prevent the public from learning the truth about these incidents; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chiefs-in-Assembly support the demand for a full and comprehensive public inquiry into all aspects of the Gustafsen Lake and Ipperwash matters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Assembly of First Nations will take full responsibility for establishing a mechanism to ensure that a public inquiry takes place into the actions of the provincial and federal governments at Gustafsen Lake BC and Ipperwash, Ont.
We believe that it is imperative that an inquiry take place. We find it surprising that repeated petitions to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and other agencies have gone unanswered in regards to the Gustafsen Lake standoff and the murder at Ipperwash. This is unacceptable. We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
For the executive of TSSU,
John-Henry Harter
President, Teaching Support Staff Union
Email: tssu@sfu.ca
WWW: http://www.sfu.ca/~wwwtssu