The following story may be distressing for some.
OneBC Party Leader and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena Dallas Brodie has a controversial speaking session planned today on the grounds of the University of Victoria, outside the MacPherson Library.
Brodie will be joined by Frances Widdowson, the author of Grave Error, a book which disputes that the remains of Indigenous children had been found within unmarked graves on Residential School grounds, and one that specifically disputes what Residential School survivors from the Kamloops Indian Band have said about their experiences. Widdowson’s book specifically disputes the discovery of 215 unmarked graves on Resident School grounds in Kamloops that had been announced in 2021.
OneBC Candidate for Delta-South and former educator Jim McMurtry, who was fired for claiming the deaths within the Residential School system were caused by tuberculosis and not the result of abuse, will also be joining for a discussion the trio has billed as one of free speech.
For it’s part, the University of Victoria says the event is not sanctioned and does not have it’s authorization to proceed. The University adds that the organizers did not go through proper channels to book the space for it, pointing out that as a result, the event lacks an official safety plan.
University of Victoria’s Acting President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robina Thomas, reiterated in a statement that the University is committed to upholding it’s pledge to respect the rights of all, adding: ‘We honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities’.
UVIC Students have planned a peaceful counter-protest at 12:30pm, underneath the Library’s Residential School Survivor’s Flag, billing it as a stand against Residential School denialism, and what they say is the ongoing disrespect of the testimony of Survivors. The Student Society adds, they’ve received numerous complaints from within the student body and the community about the event, and they’ve forward those concerns on to the University administration.
Student organizers had sent out an all-call for counter-protesters to arrive with orange shirts, noting that Indigenous peoples on campus are planning to bring their drums, and their stories.
Meanwhile, the Victoria Police Department confirmed to CFNR News that officers from their protest team will be joining the Saanich Police Department on-site today out of an abundance of caution, with a Victoria PD Media Relations Officer noting that if the event is not sanctioned, MLA Brodie and her entourage may run afoul of trespass laws, noting that the University has the right to request their removal from campus grounds.
We’ll have more coverage following the event.
Comments