{{Short description|Canadian activist (1952–2009)}} {{Other people|Sam George}} '''Maynard Donald''' "'''Sam'''" '''George''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OOnt}} (July 1, 1952 – June 3, 2009) was a Canadian native rights activist. His brother Dudley George was killed following a standoff with Ontario Provincial Police during the Ipperwash Crisis.<ref name="obit">{{cite news |title=Sam George: Relentless in his pursuit of answers |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/sam-george-relentless-in-his-pursuit-of-answers/article1166463/ |publisher=The Globe and Mail |last=Reinhart |first=Anthony |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdate=2009-06-14}}</ref> Sam played an important role in forcing a judicial inquiry, the Ipperwash Inquiry into the events at Ipperwash.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/644710 |publisher=Toronto Star |last=Edwards |first=Peter |title=Sam George, 56, pushed Ipperwash Inquiry |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdate=2009-06-14}}</ref>
He was born in Windsor, Ontario, the son of Reginald George and Genevieve Rogers, the fifth of ten children. Both parents served in the Canadian military during World War II and had been forced off the Stoney Point Reserve by the Canadian government in 1942. George learned the trade of carpentry and later worked as a youth counsellor for the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. He also coached amateur hockey.<ref name="obit"/>
George was named to the Order of Ontario in 2008. In presenting the award, Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor said "Sam George was steadfast in his quest for justice for his brother and his community. He is an inspiration to all Ontarians."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2008/11/sam-george-receives-order-of-ontario.html |title=Sam George receives Order of Ontario |publisher=Province of Ontario |date=November 20, 2008 |accessdate=2009-06-14}}</ref>
On May 28, 2009, control of the former Ipperwash Provincial Park was returned to the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
George died of pancreatic and lung cancer on the Kettle Point reserve near Sarnia at the age of 56.
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:George, Sam}} Category:1952 births Category:2009 deaths Category:Activists from Ontario Category:Deaths from cancer in Ontario Category:Members of the Order of Ontario Category:Ojibwe activists Category:People from Windsor, Ontario