NEWS

TORONTO – Aboriginal activist Sam George, whose 10-year fight for justice resulted in an inquiry into the death of his brother Dudley at Ipperwash, has been invested into the Order of Ontario.

George received the province’s highest honour from the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, in a special ceremony in the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite earlier today.

QUOTES

"Sam George was steadfast in his quest for justice for his brother and his community," said the Honourable David C. Onley. "He is an inspiration to all Ontarians."

"I am moved to be presented with this honour," said Sam George. "My goal, however, was never accolades. It was to respect and honour the memory of my brother."

"Sam George did not seek revenge – he sought justice. Sam is a man of peace, a shining example for us all," said his nominator Wayne Samuelson, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. "Debewin is the Ojibway word for truth. It means the truth is supposed to heal us all. That’s what Sam set out to do."

QUICK FACTS

• The Ipperwash Inquiry which was established on November 12, 2003.
• The Ipperwash Report was released May 31, 2007.
• Resource library named in Sam George’s honour.

LEARN MORE

• Order of Ontario www.orderofontario.ca

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Contacts:

Nanda Casucci-Byrne, Chief of Staff
Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 416-325-7781

Lily Pavlovic, Communications Branch,
Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration, 416-314-7725