shíshálh Nation Council released dual statements Friday, one thanking Sechelt council for standing with the Nation and survivors of residential schools, the second denouncing the Sechelt mayor for not rejecting residential school denialism and calling for him to “step aside.”
In early September, Sechelt council endorsed a Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) resolution, “Rejection of Residential School Denialism,” without the support of the mayor. At the same meeting, it was revealed that Mayor John Henderson had a book the UBCIC calls “racist misinformation” in municipal hall and was discussing it with senior staffers.
“The truth of what happened in Residential Schools in this country, including at St. Augustine’s in Sechelt, is well documented,” the Nation’s letter addressed to Henderson said. “Our courageous survivors have told us the truth and the truth must be heard, understood, and accepted before reconciliation can occur in this country. We stand with our survivors and denounce your actions.”
In not supporting the UBCIC resolution and refusing to reject residential school denialism and misinformation, Henderson “puts the District of Sechelt’s reconciliation efforts at risk,” said the letter. It goes on to ask him to step aside.
“At this important time in Canadian history, we need courageous and thoughtful leaders who are able to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples and individuals alike to build a better future for all,” the letter concludes. “We do not believe that you are capable of this kind of leadership or that you are fit to hold the important office of the Mayor of Sechelt. We call on you to immediately step aside and let someone who can meet this challenge take the chair.”
The letter asks the mayor to direct all future communications with the Nation through his councillor colleagues, who received their own letter, thanking them for their support of the UBCIC’s resolution.
“Residential School denialism and misinformation has no place in our society,” says the letter to Sechelt council. “It retraumatizes survivors and their families causing further challenges on the path to healing and reconciliation. We must be honest about our past and see it clearly before we can move forward together.”
Asked for comment, DIstrict of Sechelt communications manager Lindsay Vickers said the municipality doesn’t have a statement at this time, but that they anticipate something will come forward following Wednesday’s council meeting, when council is set to receive the correspondence.
Mayor John Henderson said he intends to comment on Tuesday, holding off on Monday out of respect for family and Nation following the death of a shíshálh Elder.
Context
The UBCIC resolution – unanimously endorsed by the Chiefs Council in June – came by way of a letter last month specifically addressed to the councils of Powell River, West Vancouver, Sechelt, Kamloops and Quesnel, as well as all B.C. municipalities. The resolution calls on all levels of government and the public to reject residential school denialism, to uphold the findings and reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), to implement the TRC’s 94 calls to action, to advance policies acknowledging and taking responsibility for the “history and harmful legacy of residential schools” and to support healing for survivors.
The UBCIC letter continues to say the organization “rejects any and all Residential School racist denialism and ardent dissemination of racist misinformation put forward by the authors of Grave Error – How the Media Misled Us and perpetuated by members of the public and elected officials.”
Grave Error is a collection of essays published last December, which accuses the media of perpetuating a false narrative of residential schools and questions the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
