[IPSM] Grassy Narrows Update & News - Friday October 15th

[Stefan Christoff]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 14:01:26 -0500
From: steve fobister <gsfobister at hotmail.com>


Ahneen Kakinna,

The inquest into the death of Geronimo Fobister begins in Kenora court
house October 18, 2004. Geronimo Fobister was fatally shot by the OPP
special tactical unit in standoff in Grassy Narrows reserve on August 27,
2004. The intent of the inquest is to find why this had to happen and what
measures can be taken to avert from this happening again.

It is evident that the legal support for the Crown, the OPP and the
cornorner is stacked against the family, the first nations representation.
The department of Indian Affairs, the Attorney General Office of Ontario,
and the legal Aid system of Ontario have all refused to give any
Finanacial legal support to the Family and the community. The Chief and
Council have all used every efford to approached for this legal support.
This has been the same story for all First Nations people in Canada
whether it involves human rights violations, never mind alone with treaty
violations. However, Trees keep falling, and other resource extractions
continue to take place on treaty land with no benifits flowing to our
community or to properly represent ourself in any process were forced into
by Governments in fair proceedings.

I find ironic why then they have to create this firewall of legal
representation if they don't have anything to hide. They have already
stated they or the police acted in accordance to polcy and procedure, yet
they are stached with all kinds of lawyers.The inquest will start on
October 18 and it is expected to wrap up by the 29 of October 2004....awsa
steve