Melanie Mark, the First First Nations Woman to Serve as an MLA in BC, Resigns Months After Leaving Cabinet Position

Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Melanie Mark has resigned, 7 years after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in BC’s legislature.

Mark is of Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Cree, and Ojibway ancestry, and is still the only First Nations woman to serve as a cabinet member in BC.

In 2017, she became Minister of Advanced Education, and following the 2020 election, was shifted to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sports.

Last September, Mark stepped down from her cabinet position citing health reasons, but decided to stay on as MLA.

But, in an emotional speech delivered in the House today, she announced she would be stepping down from that position as well.

In her speech, Mark called out the dysfunction of provincial politics, saying the institution fundamentally resists change, particularly to its colonial foundations.

She says her journey has been challenging, with the house at times feeling like a torture chamber, and that she will not miss the personal attacks.

But she also says that it was an honour to serve British Columbians, and that she will continue to fight and advocate for positive change.