The Syilx Okanagan Nation is “outraged” that Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie and her One B.C. party will hold a town hall at Kelowna’s Parkinson Recreation Centre on June 14.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance issued a statement on Friday, June 12, following a similar release from the Kelowna Pride Society, which called on the City of Kelowna “to reaffirm its commitments to reconciliation, the BC Human Rights Code, UNDRIP, DRIPA, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and community safety.”
Brodie is well-known for courting controversy by raising doubts about the evidence of children’s graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and has looked to ban land acknowledgments, as well as pushing for legislation that restricts pride flags, proposing to repeal the B.C. Human Rights Code, and hosting town halls with anti-trans activists.
According to the One B.C. website, discussion topics for Sunday include the party’s platform, the implementation of UNDRIP and the defence of private and Crown property.
The town hall is scheduled for the same day as the final day of the 4th Annual Komasket Powwow, held by the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB).
“Brodie has clearly stated her position and that of her party regarding the history of Indian Residential Schools, and more seriously, her denialism, which has caused significant harm to Survivors, Elders, families, and Indigenous communities across British Columbia,” read a release from the ONA.
However, the City of Kelowna told Black Press Media that it “rents space to a wide range of groups across the community, including organizations from across the political spectrum. Approval of a rental does not constitute an endorsement of any group’s views or platform.”
Following this statement from the city, the ONA responded that, “While individuals have the right to express their views, statements that diminish, deny, or distort the lived experiences of Survivors are not welcome on Syilx Okanagan Territory.”
Pride Society co-vice president Candace Banks later added that they had also received further communication from the city manager, Doug Gilchrist, who reportedly called the Pride Society’s stance against One B.C.’s party platform a “personal perspective.”
The Kelowna Pride Society is now planning to peacefully protest the One B.C. town hall at the Parkinson Recreation Centre on Sunday.
“How a society chooses to speak about its most painful history reveals what it is willing to protect,” said Chief Clarence Louie, adding that attempts to rewrite or diminish the history of residential schools are harmful and unacceptable. “For us, the dignity of Survivors is not negotiable, and we will continue to stand firmly with them to ensure their truth is not erased.”
As of June 13, One B.C. is still scheduled to host a town hall at the municipally owned Parkinson Recreation Centre on Sunday.