A comment made by a municipal staff member in Marathon, Ont., has prompted calls for accountability from two nearby First Nations.
The remark was made during a draft budget meeting on Jan. 26, which was streamed online and posted to the town’s official YouTube channel.
During a discussion about funding to improve water infrastructure, a town councillor is heard asking how often funding opportunities for this work come up.
Rick Dumas, mayor of Marathon and president of the Northern Ontario Municipal Association, responds by saying “they come up all the time.”
A senior staff member is then heard off-camera, saying “yeah, we’re just the wrong colour.”
Members of nearby First Nation Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (also known as Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation) interpreted the remark as referring to skin colour.
“[Biigtigong Nishnaabeg] staff and people of Biigtigong believe that the rude, bigoted remark was made because Biigtigong had been successful in obtaining funding for the complete replacement of our water system, which was outdated and inadequate and beyond capacity,” says a statement from Chief Duncan Michano.
“Biigtigong Nishnaabeg did not receive that funding based on skin colour. It was awarded because of a concerted and skilled campaign and application process by both Biigtigong political leaders and administrative staff working together for the betterment of the community.”
A video clip of the comment was widely circulated on social media. Dumas issued a statement Jan. 30 in response.
“The remark was intended to refer to the political challenge municipalities can face when seeking external funding, specifically in relation to political ‘colours’ and was not meant to reference Indigenous identity or any cultural group,” Dumas said.
“We recognize that the wording could be misunderstood and we sincerely apologize.”
A follow-up statement was issued the same day on behalf of the town’s senior administration, which says the video clip circulating on social media “does not reflect the full context of the discussion taking place at the time.”
“The remark was made amid frustration over the ongoing challenges municipalities face in securing adequate funding and support from other levels of government,” it says.
However, in Michano’s view, the town’s statements fail to acknowledge the pain the comment caused.
“Instead of holding the person(s) accountable for their actions/comments, there appears to be an attempt to support the individual(s) by providing an escape route,” Michano said.
“Biigtigong has no choice but to suspend any support or funding for projects that were proposed until such a time that there is a reset in the relationship.”
In its statement, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg suggests Marathon create an additional councillor position filled by a person from the First Nation who lives in town. It also demands the municipality “hold the person who made those remarks, as well as their supervisor, accountable for their actions and words.”
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg also references national calls to action aimed at advancing truth and reconciliation “that [the mayor and council] can fall back on and implement:
About 3,100 people live in Marathon, a northern Ontario community about 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. The population of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg is around 530 people.
Provincially, Marathon is represented by Thunder Bay—Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois. Dumas ran for the Progressive Conservatives in last year’s provincial election in that riding.
On Tuesday, neighbouring First Nation Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (formerly known as Pic Mobert First Nation) issued a statement in solidarity with Biigtigong Nishnaabeg.
“Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg will follow Biigtigong Nishnaabeg’s lead and will suspend any support, funding, or partnership involvement in proposed projects with the Township of Marathon until such time that the Township demonstrates that the situation has been remediated effectively and that trust can be rebuilt,” says the statement from Chief Clyde Jacobs.
With a population of fewer than 350 people on reserve, Jacobs said many people from Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg live and work in Marathon and access essential services there.
“As neighbouring First Nations and regional partners, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg recognizes that comments of this nature are not isolated. They reflect deeper issues that continue to exist in institutions and workplaces across Canada, including within municipal governance and administration,” his statement says.
“Attempts to minimize or explain away this remark do not address the harm it has caused, nor do they rebuild trust. Regardless of intent, the comment was inappropriate in the context and was received negatively by members of our community and should be addressed accordingly.”
Ultimately, Jacobs said his community “remains committed to respectful regional partnership, but meaningful partnership cannot exist without trust. Trust must be earned through action.”
