Armed with determination and solid support from back home, Aboriginal women from across Canada arrived in Durban, South Africa for the United Nation's anti-racism conference.

Among those attending the World Forum Against Racism to talk about injustices and Aboriginal rights issues, were Rose Henry representing the Urban Aboriginal community of Victoria, British Columbia, Darlene Ritchie from Oneida of the Thames, Executive Director of At^lohsa Native Family Healing Services & Spokesperson for the Coalition for a Public Inquiry into Ipperwash, and supported by Kukdookaa Terri Brown, Tahltan and President of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women.

These determined women with their strong Aboriginal voices carried with them powerful words to help deliver deliberately disturbing messages --- to shake up the status quo and rock the world's beliefs about Canada.

Rose Henry was there to tell the Anthany Dawson story and the use of force and racism as factors in the Native artist's death in 1999. Anthany, a member of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk suffered a medical crisis, but the 'system' responded with force. At a Coroner's Inquest eight people testified they saw a Victoria city police officer hit Anthany. His family, friends and the community are demanding a public inquiry.

Darlene Ritchie was there to remind the gathering about what happened six years ago to Dudley George at Ipperwash. In 1995 he was defending the land, treaty and cultural rights of his People - the Aazhoodenaang Enjibaajiig or Stoney Point People. Unarmed, he was shot dead by an OPP officer during a peaceful protest. His family, friends and community have called for a public inquiry.

Sometimes when Aboriginal people speak about racism their comments get dismissed. Sometimes they are called whiners, or told to "get over it". But Rose Henry, Darlene Ritchie and Terri Brown can rest assured their words are fortified by non-Aboriginals who also see the injustices.

They see that the truth is --- human rights and democracy are also casualties in the treatment of Aboriginal People in Canada.

In its report to the country, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation delivered a clear message to all Canadians. "Aboriginal issues in Canada are not a mystery. They have been studied and researched for decades. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples contains exhaustive recommendations to which the Canadian government has yet to respond in any meaningful way. The extent to which the issues remain elusive is dependent only on the extent to which racism persists. Steps need to be taken to address these forms of racism, or the past experience of Aboriginal peoples within Canada, including events of the immediate past such as Burnt Church, will continue to characterize the future."

The fact is, Aboriginal Rights are Human Rights.

When he first heard of the Anthany Dawson story, Union of BC Indian Chiefs President Stewart Phillip immediately saw it as a human rights issue and said so in a letter to the province's Attorney General. Chief Phillip is among the many who believe the only way to get to the truth is to have an open, independent, public inquiry.

"There can be no Peace or Harmony without Justice", said the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People. With that in mind, a petition is being circulated to gather support for Nancy Dawson and her family in their fight for justice for her son, Anthany.

Call for a Public Inquiry
Please Support the Petition for Justice for Anthany Dawson

Whereas: In 1999 Anthany James Dawson died under questionable circumstances

Whereas: The facts about his death, including allegations of racism and the use of force must be investigated in an open, independent way

Whereas: Eight people testified at a Coroner's Inquest that they saw a police officer hit Anthany

Whereas: Anthany Dawson's family, friends and community are demanding real justice

Whereas: The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council Chiefs express their outrage and disgust with the results of the Victoria City Police Internal Report which was sent to the home of Anthany Dawson's mother on the second anniversary of his death, August 13, 2001.

Whereas: While the Victoria City Police Internal Report claims that there is no need for any further action, Chairman William T. Cranmer voices the frustration of the First Nations people. "Eight witnesses testified at the Inquest that they saw Constable Sheldon punch Anthany and Constable Sheldon maintains that he did not."

Whereas: Chief Cranmer went on to state that "The only proper way to deal with this is to have a public hearing with an adjudicator present to determine whether Constable Sheldon is telling the truth or not. We are not asking for any favors, we are asking for answers."

Whereas: The First Nations Summit has also sent a letter to the Police Complaint Commissioner, Don Morrison, urging him to consider a public hearing. "As you know the treatment of First Nations persons by police in general has been a major media topic for many years. A public inquiry in this case would allow for a complete and transparent examination of the circumstances of Mr. Dawson's death and what role, if any, the police may have played in it." wrote the First Nations Summit Task Group, Kathryn Teneese, Bill Wilson, and Gerald Wesley.

Whereas: The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council Chiefs again ask that a public hearing be called in order to hear the statements of the eight witnesses who saw Anthany Dawson punched by Constable Sheldon.

Therefore: I want to find out what really happened to Anthany James Dawson August 11, 1999

Therefore: I support this petition for a full public inquiry and call on the British Columbia Government to announce such an inquiry ___________________________(Name)

_____________________________ (Signature)

You can fax your signed petition to: Yvon Gesinghaus, Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council 250-974-5466.

For more details on the Anthany Dawson story click HERE where you also can support the online version of the petition.