Northern Ontario town called out by First Nations over staff comment about 'colour'

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because Biigtigong had been successful in obtaining funding for the complete replacement of our water system, which was outdated and inadequate and beyond capacity,” says a statement from Chief Duncan Michano.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.