Local First Nations are calling for the cancellation of an event hosted by OneBC’s Dallas Brodie taking place this evening at the non-profit run Sorrento Community Hall.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10 – the day of the planned meeting – the Adams Lake, Neskonlith and Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw bands issued a joint statement condemning the event and Brodie, stating the OneBC party leader and
The Vancouver-Quilchena MLA has “repeatedly engaged in rhetoric that minimizes, denies or distorts the truth of Residential Schools and has used language that is harmful and dismissive towards Indigenous Peoples.”
“While we respect the right of freedom of expression, that right does not exist in a vacuum,” reads the statement. “Decisions about who is given a platform, particularly within Indigenous territories, carry responsibility. Hosting speakers whose public record includes Residential School denialism and harmful anti-Indigenous commentary has real impacts on Indigenous community members and undermines relationships between Nations and neighbouring municipalities.”
While the joint statement doesn’t call for the event’s cancellation, a separate one issued by the Neskonlith’s chief and council does, stating the OneBC event “contributes to the spread of misinformation and hate and directly undermines the safety and dignity of Indigenous peoples in our territory.”
“It is deeply troubling to see a local community space used for an event that causes harm in our own region, particularly at a time when communities are already facing significant social and political strain…,” said the band. “We respectfully but firmly request that this booking be cancelled and that the Sorrento Community Hall refrain from hosting events that promote hate, discrimination or rhetoric that threatens the safety and well-being of Indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities.”
An advertisement for the event, shared Feb. 4 on the Sorrento Community Hall (SCH) Facebook page, states topics of discussion will include the party’s platform, the “Reconciliation Industry,” the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), SOGI and gender ideology and more.
The post prompted public criticism, with people calling for the event’s cancellation.
“I am beyond disappointed in the board of SCH for granting space in our community for the hate filled intolerant narrative of Dallas Brodie,” said one commenter. “There is reason why other community centres have cancelled her (and OneBC) events. “Her rhetoric condemns, isolates and hurts so many members of our beautiful community. That is the opposite of what a community centre should be for. For the sake of the community that supports you and that you represent, please reconsider this event.”
Other commenters defended the SCH, urging the event proceed as planned.
The Observer contacted the SCH for comment Monday morning, Feb. 9, but has yet to receive a reply.
The same morning, the CSRD released a social media post, stating it was aware of the “controversy surrounding” the planned meeting, and noting the two non-profit associations that run the hall, the Drop-In Society and the Sorrento Hall Society, receive funding for operations through the CSRD.
“As the CSRD does not operate the hall, it is not our role or responsibility to manage the day-to-day business of the facility, including booking approvals,” commented the regional district.
A half hour later, Melnychuk shared a social media post, stating she doesn’t stand for the values of OneBC; “however, I respect the non-profit hall’s rental decisions and its volunteer board.”
“This is an important community space for large events that range from Remembrance Day, Christmas concerts, elections, emergency services, to community conversations. Consider volunteering for the hall as an action for change.”
In a CSRD referendum held last year, Electoral Area G residents voted in support of a service that supports funding Area G community halls by taxation, with $10,000 per year going to the non-profits that run halls in Carlin, Blind Bay, Notch Hill and Cedar Heights, and $7,500 to each of the two societies that jointly operate the Sorrento Community Hall.
This is not the first time a OneBC town hall has drawn controversy.
In October of 2025, the party was forced to relocate venues multiple times after being rejected by the publicly owned Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, before finally setting up at a private residence.
While in Penticton, Brodie took a photo of herself in front of the Every Child Matters sign on Penticton Indian Band land holding her own sign reading “No bodies,” for which the Chiefs Executive Council of the Okanagan Nation Alliance blasted her and called on her to immediately resign.
Brodie has sponsored and moved private members bills to repeal the adoption of DRIPA, to end land acknowledgments as well as recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“Our bill will remove truth and reconciliation day as a holiday in British Columbia Why, because it doesn’t deserve to be one… instead of guilting our nation, let’s celebrate it,” said Brodie in support of the latter. “The idea we need to reconcile presumes an act of wrongdoing and regret, but we have no regrets, nothing to reconcile for and no apologies to give because we did nothing wrong.”
As of Tuesday morning, Feb. 10, the meeting was still a go, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is by RSVP at 1bc.ca/events/sorrento-townhall.