Appalling News Article written by (former) Manitoba Provincial Court Judge: “Truth and Consequences”

WireService.ca Media Release (06/30/2015) Scanterbury, MB – The substance of the article communicates statements that are specific to First Nations, those who attended Residential School, their children and grandchildren and exploited women and girls:

“You still can’t turn on the radio without hearing about some child or grand child of a residential school survivor who’s been stabbed to death, fished from the river, or gone missing…The problem might have something to do with the fact that they are selling their bodies on the street…for pocket change…because they think that’s the best life has to offer.”

Mr. Marantz’s views conveyed in his article promotes appalling inaccuracies and damaging stereotypes of our First Nation. Chief Jim Bear states, “Brokenhead Ojibway Nation does not in any way, shape or form condone this brutal portrayal made by Mr. Marantz against our First Nation community. And our Nation looks forward to addressing the legacy of the First Nation focused policies that have resulted in where we all are today. The state of ours and many First Nations is a collective crisis not just an isolated First Nation crisis.” And, Mr. Marantz’s comparison of our Residential School experience, “Auschwitz was not a re-training camp” publically minimizes and dishonors our tragic experiences and continued detrimental effects of the Residential School atrocities. The public support and outrage of Mr. Marantz’s article is deafening.

Our Nation is pleased that the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations have now been released and that our people have persevered despite the attempt of cultural genocide and that we have been able to maintain much of what was to be taken from us. We are proud of the perseverance and efforts of our people, especially the continuous effort to achieve healing so that we too can peacefully co-exist with all our Treaty brothers and sisters as intended by our ancestors.

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation does not tolerate discrimination directed at anyone. We are hopeful that actions will be taken to address the damage resulting from Mr. Marantz’s news article and that Mr. Marantz is made accountable. We also urge Mr. Marantz to issue an immediate written apology for creating the unnecessary call for redress due to his news article.

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Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is a signatory to Treaty No. 1 of 1871 in Manitoba.

For Further Information Contact: Governance Assistant – Jessica Cook (204) 766-2494

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