Indigenous leaders say Manitoba government must change its ways or resign
There are more resignations connected to the Pallister government as Indigenous leaders are calling for change.
“We are not here to topple any statues we’re here to topple a government that is racist,” said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee.
After the two Queen statues were knocked down at the Legislature by some protesters honouring children of residential schools, the Premier made comments that our ancestors were here to build not destroy.
Many in the Indigenous community felt the remarks were revisionist and insensitive.
Two days later Indigenous Relations Minister Eileen Clarke resigned from cabinet, and last Thursday her replacement, Alan Lagimodiere, said the architects of residential schools thought they were doing the right thing.
He has since apologized.
Still, that was the last straw for Darrell Brown.
“I couldn’t stand it anymore,” said Brown.
The Indigenous entrepreneur has resigned from one of the province’s rural economic development boards, and Jamie Willson, a former Treaty Commissioner, has stepped down from a similar board.
Brown says he was already uncomfortable with some of the government’s actions like the ongoing dispute with the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Brown says the premier needs to exit.
“He needs to leave, I think that leadership needs to change, you’ve got to clear all that out and get some fresh faces in there,” said Brown.
In a statement a spokesperson for the premier thanked the outgoing board members for their service.
“Our government remains focused on advancing reconciliation and working respectfully and collaboratively with all Indigenous and all non-Indigenous Manitobans on this important path forward."
On the steps of the Legislature Monday, Indigenous leaders and others from Treaty 5 First Nations released a call to action to stop racism.
They were clear, the government needs to change its ways towards reconciliation or move on.
“If Pallister can’t lead and his cabinet can’t lead they do need to resign,” said Southern Chiefs' Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas suggested the premier does not listen.
“I’m tired of talking to Pallister, I give him every opportunity to have meaningful dialogue,” said Dumas.
One of the measures Treaty 5 First Nations are calling for is for provincial public servants to be educated on the history of Indigenous people including residential schools.
A spokesperson for Minister Lagimodiere says the department looks forward to reviewing the action plan and working collaboratively.
Lagimodiere was making calls over the weekend with First Nations leaders to repair the damage from his comments.
Settee says if Lagimodiere wants to make progress he needs to meet with them in person.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Bob Cole, veteran CBC broadcaster and former voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada,' dead at 90
Bob Cole, legendary CBC broadcaster and former voice of Hockey Night in Canada, has died. He was 90.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.