Williams Lake First Nation calls on mayor to resign after he shared residential faculties publish

“It is very discouraging and disheartening and disappointing,” Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars advised CBC Information. “This is an individual in energy or an individual we’re attempting to construct a relationship with in order that we will promote this area in a optimistic approach.

“We’d like to see the mayor of Williams Lake step down from his place, to open up that house for anyone who’s extra open-minded to the method of reconciliation.”

Cobb shared the publish Friday on his personal Fb account.

It claimed to be authored by somebody with Indigenous relations, and alleged there have been optimistic features of residential faculties however that younger Indigenous folks “simply wish to be victims” looking for cash, and that the majority survivors had “forgiven.”

Cobb advised the Williams Lake Tribune he shared the publish after it was forwarded by a contact, and added, “I believe we have to have a look at each aspect of every little thing.”

Makes an attempt to achieve the mayor at his dwelling, on his cellphone, and by way of social media and e-mail had been unsuccessful, and the Fb publish has since been deleted. 

‘We have had it as much as right here with the mayor and management’

Roughly 150,000 Indigenous youngsters had been pressured to attend residential faculties. On the establishments, youngsters had been subjected to sexual, bodily and emotional abuse in addition to the lack of their cultures, the Reality and Reconciliation Fee mentioned.

In August, First Nations within the Williams Lake space started a ground-penetrating radar seek for unmarked graves on the web site of the native residential faculty, St. Joseph’s Mission, which closed in 1981. That search is ongoing.

“My dad went to St. Joseph’s Mission,” Sellars mentioned. “Simply give it some thought: We’re one era faraway from folks attending these faculties.

“When folks speak in regards to the ‘different aspect’ of the story, we’re nonetheless on this aspect. We’re nonetheless speaking in regards to the triggers and the traumas.”

In June 2020, Coun. Marnie Brenner mentioned in a council assembly “there are at all times two sides” throughout a dialogue in regards to the faculties. The councillor later apologized for her phrases.

On the time, native Indigenous communities invited metropolis councillors to participate in therapeutic ceremonies and meet elders.

However the newest feedback have left Sellars with little want for extra dialogue.

“We have had it as much as right here with the mayor and management throughout the metropolis of Williams Lake,” Sellars mentioned. “How are they going to carry themselves accountable and truly contribute to this dialogue?”

‘We perceive First Nations’ considerations’

Sellars wrote a letter Friday to the town outlining his considerations.

The town’s chief administrative officer advised CBC Information the letter and considerations in regards to the mayor’s Fb publish are on the agenda for Tuesday’s council assembly.

“We have had quite a few discussions with council and employees over the weekend,” Gary Murica advised CBC Information on Sunday. “It is clearly one thing we take very significantly. 

“We perceive First Nations’ considerations with reference to the publish that was shared, and particularly the survivors and people nonetheless coping with the results of the residential faculty system.”

Terry Teegee, regional chief of the B.C. Meeting of First Nations, known as the controversies in Williams Lake council “fairly disappointing.”

He mentioned he would not imagine common residents of the town will tolerate the sorts of feedback shared by their leaders.

“Actually there is a chance for an administration such because the mayor and council to hunt enlightenment, maybe,” Teegee mentioned. “However I believe, in the end, it does come right down to a willingness to grasp and have empathy for Indigenous peoples. 

“So I do not know what number of extra possibilities that mayor can have … I do not suppose folks will tolerate this anymore.”

Cobb has been mayor of Williams Lake since 2014, and beforehand held the place from 1990 to 1996.