UPDATE: First Nations woman confronts Justice Minister at Vernon luncheon
VERNON – An angry and upset First Nations woman used a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Vernon to confront Justice Minister Peter MacKay about missing and murdered aboriginal women.
No one at the packed luncheon, held at the Best Western Vernon Lodge and attended by local dignitaries and members of the business community, was expecting the outburst. It was as MacKay began speaking about the criminal justice system that Angie Todd-Dennis of the Carrier First Nation spoke up, interrupting him to ask about Canada’s missing and murdered aboriginal women.
Todd-Dennis stood up and approached the podium, saying some of her relatives were lost on the Highway of Tears and that the government continues to ignore the issue.
An unfazed MacKay said he empathized with her tragic situation, but Todd-Dennis would have none of his sympathy.
“Please don’t patronize me, just tell me the truth,” she said.
Some in the audience could be heard saying ‘enough’ as Todd-Dennis continued to berate MacKay about the inequality of aboriginal women in the justice system before exiting the conference room. Outside the luncheon, she said MacKay’s answers were ‘very weak.'
“He talks about equality, you’ve heard him, but that’s all lies. There’s no equality when you can’t give equal justice to your First Peoples,” she said.
Todd-Dennis is from the Fort Saint James area, but is in the North Okanagan for the summer. She’s hopeful First Nations people will speak up this federal election, particularly after a call to action from the Assembly of First Nations.
“The assembly is telling chiefs to tell their people to vote, get your young people to vote anybody but Harper. I think that’s the first proactive movement I’ve seen coming across Canada,” she said.
In an interview with MacKay after the luncheon, the Justice Minister said he was not offended that she chose to voice her concerns at the event.
“I wish she had stayed and allowed me to have an opportunity to speak to her and to respond to some of those concerns because I can assure you that not only is the government responding, we are doing so in substantial ways,” MacKay said.
He said the government has responded to a number of recommendations made in reports over the years, and consulted with First Nations. One of Todd-Dennis’ statements was the need for a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, but MacKay said that isn’t necessarily the answer.
“Part of the problem in my view, in my estimation, with having a national inquiry is much of this progress would be delayed. It would then result in massive resources and time sitting around a table hearing a lot of the same testimony that we have heard for years rather than putting all of the attention and focus and money and resources on action…. We’ve chosen the action route.”
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
— This story was updated at 3:05 p.m., July 8, 2015, with comments from Todd-Dennis and MacKay.
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26 responses
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So grateful that Angie Todd-Dennis had the courage to confront Peter McKay. You are respected and we pray that our government respect the women who have been murdered and the many who are still missing. Saying “I’m sorry” but yet not giving any followup is just not enough. Standing with you Angie for all our sisters. Thank you for your bravery. May we all be brave as well.
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I definately think we need a new government but I don’t think a royal commission is the right way to go in solving the murdered and missing women…too much time would be wasted… I think more time and resources need to go into investigating the missing women.
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this musthave felt good to release on dignitaries like Makay, wether you’re first nation or not, questions need answers, eh.
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Ben HumphreysI don’t think Gwen is race baiting here just specifying ALL women along with aboriginal women which she is allowed to say. I believe your use of the word race is used inappropreitly here.
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when I lived in Alberta , not to far from an Indian reservation, in Cardston , alot of Indian women were beaten up by men who lived in the reserve. I talked to a young Indian girl (15 years old) in the laundromat one Saturday about how she had come to lose one of her legs. Her brother and a couple of friends had gotten drunk , held her down and cut it off. She said she was about 13 then.
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Interesting, how so many consider this a First Nations people problem… Clearly this is a people problem, a horrendous massacre of injustice.
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This what it takes..our strong..beautiful..aboriginal women..to let thier strong voices be heard…through-out our land..Amen.
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And that action is…… Hi Angie, how are you? Think of you often.Love to hear from you, Warrior Woman!
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He had his chance right in the moment and he had no words to satisfy her request and assertions. He is just another ugly Harper spokes person, aka liar and blocking human rights along with shaming Canada’s reputation by adhering to the neo-colonial stance of perpetuating neglect, abuse and ongoing oppression of our First Peoples/First Nations.
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If the action route is chosen.. please show the action.. having a police report saying that we are killed by acquaintances is not action that supports the concern.. ceratinly supports their action to find ways to blame the victim…
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Angie – you stand taller than any gov’t minister. You speak truth. I am so proud to be working with you for a better Canada.
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I think its disgusting the way the government treats first nations people . I think its awesome how she called him out on what they alldo …patronize . I hope for justice for these women ..and others like them .
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Glad that you stand up for your people and all Canadians by not being afraid to voice your concerns or opinions.My prayers are with you and your family.
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I’m proud,of you, Angie Todd-Dennis. We ALL need to find your courage – on this and many issues.
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I can only imagine the courage it must have taken for Angie Todd-Dennis to speak out at the luncheon. Well done. It is a disgrace that Prime Minister Steven Harper has said that an inquiry about MMIW is not “on the radar” of his government.Mr. Trudeau and the Federal Liberal Party are committed to holding an inquiry on forming government. We are working hard for real change in 2015.
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I applaud Angie’s courage.First nations must band together.Be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming election.Women and young people.You are so much stronger than you can imagine.Vote!
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“I wish she had stayed and allowed me to have an opportunity to speak to her…” as if, more lies. she would’ve been kicked out if she didn’tt leave.
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MacKay wanted to respond, “Hey I am retiring, tell it to somebody who cares”!The Pickton Opal Inquiry recommended that the police agencies (including the RCMP agencies) in the Lower Mainland be amalgamated into a regional police force in order to get away from turf protection by the different police agencies.Harper’s response was ZILCH!Harper wrote off the TRC 6 years of work report as an “ASSpirational” document.So, the First Nations populations can impact 51 ridings in October if they get out to the voting booths in force.Now they have these Buffalo Springfield lyrics to get them to that booth:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9Tn2FedfwQ&t=0m31s!
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Angie you deserve all the respect and honor from natives across Canada_ u stood for all our lost sisters!!!!!
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I’m so proud to be your freind! bless you sister , you helped me when I was down ,,,,,,,,,, Thank you ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, prayers.
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