2006, Canada
Drama, History, Mystery
If politicians call all the shots, can the Premier of Canada be held accountable for the death of a Chippewa man involved in an unarmed protest?
Director Tim Southam attempts to delve into the investigation put into print by Toronto Star reporter Peter Edwards. After fifty years of having sacred burial ground used as a military training base, a group of Stoney Point Natives decide it is time the government kept their word and returned the land. Arriving in a gutted bus with kids in tow, their demonstration appears to be more of a campout than a riot.
This community shares a desire for equality and justice, but their means to an end is unclear. Standing literally on the other side of the fence are those who feel no need to draw such attention to their people. Inside the grounds, the elder members wish to discuss their rights rationally, while younger members are more brash and careless. Unfortunately, these unfocused moves provide the smallest excuse for the local authorities to take action.
The film plays off of the guilt and renewed passion of non-protestor Sam George, who lives with his murdered brother’s ghost. Opposite to Sam’s calm demeanor, brother Dudley was boisterous and enthusiastic about reclaiming their family’s rightful land. However, he attracts the wrong sort of attention to the cause when damaging police property and taunting the officers. Frustrated about his people’s mistreatment, he has not learned to channel his energies effectively.
Dudley is youthfully played by the easy-going Dakota House, while Sam is portrayed with reserved concern by a professional Eric Schweig. Their character’s sister is played by actress Pamela Matthews who met the real Dudley the day before he was killed, and soon after became a legal aide in the resulting trial.
Created for Canada’s CTV, the film is less polished than larger productions but does not fail to deliver the story passionately. A horrendous chronicle of unchecked police brutality and possible distant commands by an annoyed politician, the villains are not understated. The Premiere is represented by a snotty cabinet aide who makes less than subtle suggestions as to the handling of these bothersome protestors. She practically dismisses with the arch of her eyebrow the fact that three protestors were sent to the E.R. after a violent raid of the Ipperwash Provincial Park.
The nighttime raid by the police in full riot gear is a terrible vision. Banging their shields in time and lined by officers with AK-47s, there is much confusion as to how they arrived at this violent decision. The conflicted Police Field Commander distances himself by leaving the scene while his assistant is directed to unleash chaos on the stunned demonstrators.
This film may be biased towards the Stoney Point Natives involved in the Ipperwash Crisis, but the tragedy deserves explanation. The elements do not add up to the illogical response by law enforcement, and it is shameful how the protestors were treated. Perhaps the Natives were not organized to their best potential, but then, neither were the police.