One Dead Indian

One Dead Indian chronicles the events surrounding the 1995 Ipperwash Crisis in Ontario, where a land dispute between Indigenous protesters and authorities ended in tragedy. The book follows the confrontation between members of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and the Ontario Provincial Police over land that included sacred burial grounds. Peter Edwards, an investigative journalist, examines the complex web of political decisions, police actions, and historical injustices that led to the crisis. The narrative tracks the involvement of key figures including then-Premier Mike Harris, OPP officers, and Indigenous protesters fighting for the return of land that had been appropriated by the federal government during World War II. The book serves as both a detailed account of a pivotal moment in Canadian history and an exploration of systemic issues in Indigenous relations. Through its examination of the Ipperwash Crisis, the text highlights enduring questions about land rights, political accountability, and justice in modern Canada.

Readers describe this book as a detailed account of the 1995 Ipperwash Crisis and its aftermath. Many note Edwards' thorough research and interviews with key figures involved. Readers appreciated: - Clear breakdown of complex events and timeline - Balanced presentation of different perspectives - Context about Indigenous land rights history - Documentation of police and government actions Common criticisms: - Dense legal details can be hard to follow - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited Indigenous voices and perspectives - Focus on political aspects over human elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.3/5 (6 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Documents a shameful chapter in Ontario history" - Goodreads reviewer "Important story but gets bogged down in minutiae" - Amazon reviewer "Should be required reading for Canadians" - LibraryThing reviewer "Needed more First Nations perspectives" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 The Ipperwash Crisis led to Canada's largest public inquiry into police conduct and Indigenous relations, lasting nearly three years (2004-2007) and costing over $13 million. 🔸 Peter Edwards has covered organized crime for the Toronto Star for more than three decades and has written 15 non-fiction books, including several award-winning true crime titles. 🔸 Camp Ipperwash was originally seized from the Stoney Point First Nation in 1942 under the War Measures Act, with the government promising to return the land after World War II—a promise that remained unfulfilled for over 50 years. 🔸 Dudley George was the first Indigenous person to be killed in a land rights dispute in Canada since the 19th century, and his death occurred on September 6, 1995. 🔸 The book's revelations contributed to significant changes in Ontario's police protocols regarding Indigenous protests and led to the province returning 2,300 acres of land to the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in 2020.