B.C. mayor apologizes for residential school post while facing anger at council meeting
Global News
Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb used his opening remarks to address a post he shared on Facebook suggesting there is an "other side" to residential schools.
Warning: This story deals with disturbing subject matter that may upset and trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb wasted no time at a special meeting of council Tuesday, using his opening remarks to address a post he shared on Facebook suggesting there is an “other side” to residential schools.
As reported by the Williams Lake Tribune, the post claimed that “most of the older generation that did suffer are long dead and gone or have forgiven, and it seems to me that many of the new generations just want to be victims and feel the money would solve their pain.”
At Tuesday’s special meeting Cobb offered an apology, explaining his post should not be interpreted as an official position or one shared by the rest of the city council.
“I want to state up front that I have never supported the concept of residential schools as I learned of the heartbreak that was inflicted on many First Nations communities,” he said.
“I never intended to offend or make light of the residential schools, and for those I offended I apologize and I am seriously sorry — very, very sorry.”
However, Cobb later suggested that he may also be a victim of the situation.
“As the article shared was on my personal page, and not my mayor’s page, it is my opinion that Williams Lake First Nation’s letter is a personal attack on me, myself”, he continued. “And I have no idea what the agenda might be.”
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