B.C. Conservative MLA's Social Media Post on Kamloops Residential School Sparks Controversy
Dallas Brodie, the B.C. Conservatives' attorney general critic, has sparked controversy with a social media post stating that there are "zero" confirmed child burial sites at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Her post has been met with criticism from Indigenous leaders and the B.C. government, with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip calling it "racist denialist rhetoric" and Attorney General Niki Sharma expressing concern that it could be misinterpreted as denying the existence of residential school abuses.
Brodie's post came in response to a lawyer's request for the rewording of Law Society training material about residential schools. She claims that the number of confirmed child burials at the Kamloops site is zero and questions whether lawyers can still insist on facts.
However, Opposition Leader John Rustad has asked Brodie to remove the post, fearing it could be misconstrued as denying the broader issue of residential school abuses. He emphasizes that thousands of children did not return home from these schools and were buried on site.
The Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, which announced the discovery of potential unmarked burials at the Kamloops site, has not responded to requests for comment. The Law Society of B.C. also declined to comment due to the ongoing court case involving the lawyer who requested the training material changes.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding residential schools and the importance of acknowledging the historical abuses that occurred.
It also raises questions about the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the responsibility of elected officials to use their platforms responsibly.
10 Comments
Bella Ciao
I am horrified that an elected official would make such a statement. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the history of residential schools.
Muchacha
We should focus on healing and moving forward, not dwelling on the past. Brodie is right to look to the future.
Matzomaster
Disgusting! How dare Dallas Brodie deny the pain and suffering of Indigenous children who died in residential schools.
Karamba
It's time to stop playing the blame game. We all need to take responsibility for the past and work together to build a better future.
Rotfront
This is an insult to the memory of the children who died in residential schools. Brodie should resign immediately.
Comandante
Let's not forget that residential schools were run by both the federal and provincial governments, not just the Catholic Church.
Habibi
The Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation has not confirmed the existence of unmarked graves. We should wait for more information.
Comandante
Brodie's statement is not only inaccurate but also incredibly insensitive. She owes an apology to the Indigenous community.
Bella Ciao
This is why we need truth and reconciliation. People like Brodie are trying to silence the survivors and prevent healing.
ZmeeLove
Shame on the BC Conservatives for supporting this kind of denialism. They should be ashamed of themselves.