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CCCA_V7No3_Profiles-FIN_CCCA 13-09-23 3:03 PM Page 16 Profile evolving relationship. “ There was an opportunity George was killed by an OPP officer In 1995, his cousin Dudley grabbed it to say ‘we can do differ- ent and we can do better.’” and we grabbed it to say ‘we A recent case illustrates the in a land-claims protest at Ipperwash For a proposed adoption of a can do different and we can Provincial Park, nine kilometres northwest of Kettle and Stony Point. native Crown ward by a non- do better.’ Two years later, in a wider effort native family, George filed a state- ” to repair relations with aboriginal ment with the court describing communities, the OPP recruited First Nation principles about children and earn a degree in sociology from the Ron George back as an inspector/ their relationship to the Creator. He also University of Western Ontario in 1987 and special adviser on First Nation policing submitted a sealed letter from the Kettle a degree from its law school three years and later as a superintendent with respon- and Stony Point chief for the child to read later. He was called to the bar in 1992, the sibility for aboriginal liaison-operations. at age 18 to learn more about her ties to first status Indian in the London area to do “It was the same old thing for me,” he the band. so, returning home to set up a private prac- says of rejoining the OPP. “We need to Notably, the band’s documents were tice. “I felt very strongly that I needed to share information and we need to under- not subject to approval by Sarnia- come home so that younger people could stand each other and develop relationships Lambton CAS. see that we could do it,” he says. based on this understanding that are “We have tried to recognize in our In his view, the law needs to recognize respectful and honest.” court cases with Kettle and Stony Point to the value of aboriginal legal traditions not But don’t mistake his outlook for a lack be very careful to say we don’t adopt those only for First Nation people but to pro- of resolve on aboriginal issues. [First Nation] principles,” says Jennifer mote “respective and meaningful relation- Standing on a hillside on the Kettle and Thrasher, CAS manager of legal services. ships” with non-natives. Stony Point reserve, George barely con- “They are theirs, not ours, to appropriate.” “The law created social imbalances, and ceals his anger as he recounts the history Judge Anne McFadyen, who presides in maintained those social imbalances so of two nearby buildings, vacant since the family court of the Ontario Court of how do we heal going forward?” he asks. 1963, that housed the federal govern- Justice in Sarnia, says “I have noticed a “Is it possible the law can help? My ment-run residential day school he willingness to mediate in a culturally sen- answer is yes, but the law has to be based attended through Grade 4. sitive manner and work at the issues they on aboriginal legal traditions for indige- “We learned about Dick and Jane and can and continue to meet over time to nous people.” mother and father and their dog Spot, but chip away at the outstanding issues.” He cites the legal system’s handling of never did we hear about people like us In mid-2013, Sarnia-Lambton CAS the death of his father, killed off-reserve and people living like us,” says George, reported 34 court matters involving abo- in 2002 by a driver who “blew” a stop who says he still suffers from having teeth riginal children, down from 45 in sign. The court penalty was a six-month pulled — without anesthesia as he recalls December, 2012. licence suspension. — by a dentist for the school. George credits his ability to operate in Under aboriginal traditions based on He hopes the white frame buildings, native and non-native worlds to his spiri- reconciliation, not blame, George says the former “beacons of colonialism,” soon can tual membership in the Turtle Clan, driver would have to meet the family and be re-imagined for a positive purpose. which he describes as “people responsible offer life-long reparations — “as nominal This fall, the band plans to tear down the for bridging worlds and moving in and as $25 a month” — to the widow. buildings and replace them with a multi- out of different environments.” “The legal community — and that agency facility that includes space for Growing up, he aspired to become a includes law schools, students, administra- Kettle and Stony Point to tell its history. lawyer but saw no role models. “It was tors, lawyers, judges and law associations “We are going to take this colonial pic- difficult to pursue something where it did — needs to get access to more accurate ture and we are going to recreate a picture not appear like that was possible,” he says. information about aboriginal people,” he of who we are based on our values and In 1976, he joined the Ontario says. “Then you can begin the develop- principles,” says George. Provincial Police as a First Nation consta- ment of establishing relationships based ble at Kettle and Stony Point, serving for on truth and respect for one another.” Jennifer Lewington is a writer based in 15 years. In that time, he took time off to His philosophy applies to policing too. Stratford, ON. 16 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association FALL 2013