'The damage has already been done': Pallister's apology not enough for Man. Indigenous leaders
In Tuesday’s public health update, Premier Brian Pallister was asked about comments he made in July, after protesters toppled two statues on the Legislature grounds during a protest over the deaths of Indigenous children at residential schools.
Pallister suggested that settlers came here to build and not destroy things.
“I do apologize,” said Pallister. “I feel awful about the misunderstanding I caused with my comments.”
Many Indigenous leaders said his comments were revisionist, and down played the harmful effects of colonialism.
Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs' Organization, Jerry Daniels doesn’t think the premier offered much of an apology.
“We don’t think that Pallister has the ability or capability, and I’m unsure even people in his cabinet have the capability to move in a direction of reconciliation,” said Daniels.
Daniels wants to see Pallister resign.
In a statement to CTV News, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okinakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said in part:
“For weeks, Indigenous leaders have been calling for the resignation as well as an apology from Premier Brian Pallister in response to the untrue statements he made about the intentions behind residential schools.”
“I’m not sure that yesterday’s supposed apology goes far enough. The damage has already been done and the Premier continues to make it clear that he isn’t interested in advancing reconciliation.”
The Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations, Alan Lagimodiere was also in hot water last month when he tried to defend the intentions behind residential schools, is now saying they were a part of genocide.
“We need to move forward acknowledging how deeply wrong some of the decisions made by our past leaders were, and we need to acknowledge the impacts those decisions had,” said Lagimodiere.
Daniels was pleased with the minister’s new perspective.
“We’re quite happy to see that his language has shifted to recognize the genocide that has taken place in Manitoba,” said Daniels.
Daniels would like to see the same shift in Pallister’s language and actions moving forward.
Pallister said his initial comments were intended to unite Manitobans, and he’s hoping for forgiveness and understanding moving forward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.