Report suggests Calgary councillor didn’t follow up on reconciliation work after racist video – Calgary | 24CA News
Planned periods between Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean and members of the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (CAUAC) didn’t transfer ahead, in accordance with a report in entrance of metropolis council Wednesday, however McLean stated his reality and reconciliation journey isn’t over.
It comes after movies surfaced on social media final yr allegedly displaying McLean participating in racist stereotypes and mocking Indigenous individuals.
After the movies surfaced, McLean stated he had “zero recollection” of the occasion, however later apologized for previous errors.
He then agreed to fulfill with a circle of Indigenous elders and report again to council, whereas additionally stepping away from his roles on a number of committees.
“I attended a healing circle with many First Nations elders,” McLean instructed reporters. “Deeply emotional, spiritual, and a life-changing experience… I’ve committed to do work and meet with them again.”
But in an annual replace report back to metropolis council, CAUAC advised there was nothing past that.
The report lists “councillor behaviour” as one of many points the committee addressed this yr, and stated the committee was “grateful” to be consulted by the mayor’s workplace “upon revelations of inappropriate past microaggressions” when the movies first turned public.
The report confirmed members of the committee did attend the “first reconciliation session,” guided by Elder Reg Crowshoe.
“While the following planned sessions did not commence as planned, CAUAC wishes to express its desire for and openness to seek future relationship building opportunities with Cllr. McLean,” a footnote within the report reads.
However, when members of CAUAC addressed this part of their report of their presentation to council, committee vice-chair Krista Ouellette stated their function isn’t to cross judgement.
“We’re a resource for council and we’re here to advocate for Indigenous people,” Ouellette instructed council. “We are here to move forward in a good way, one that supports growth, community and healing; we’re not here to comment, we’re not here raise judgement on individual reconciliation journeys.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek attended the therapeutic circle, after facilitating a path ahead for McLean in session with First Nations and Indigenous leaders.
Gondek stated her understanding was extra conferences would come later, however was leaving that to the steering of the elders concerned, a primary for metropolis council.
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“We are being led by the elders circle on this journey we’ve never embarked on before,” Gondek stated. “I would love to tell everyone exactly what the process looks like but I have to respect Indigenous ways of knowing and I have to respect Indigenous ways of justice.”
McLean expressed curiosity in assembly with members of CAUAC “in the near future,” and added he has taken a number of steps together with taking Indigenous historical past programs on the University of Calgary, attending the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women vigil, and dealing to construct relationships with members of First Nations communities.
“My journey towards truth and reconciliation isn’t over,” McLean stated.
Following the assembly, Calgary’s mayor expressed concern that the matter is overshadowing ongoing efforts from CAUAC within the metropolis.
Those efforts embrace advocacy on issues that have an effect on Indigenous Calgarians, and the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within the metropolis and its accomplice organizations.
The committee, with assist from Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer, has additionally advocated for a smudge room at metropolis corridor which is anticipated to open later this summer time.
CAUAC’s report additionally cited stakeholder engagement and additional progress on each the Indian Residential School Memorial Project and an Indigenous Gathering Place within the metropolis.
“This committee is integral on our mission to truth and reconciliation,” Gondek stated. “What the membership of that committee wishes to bring forward is absolutely their right and it’s our responsibility to listen.”
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