Winnipeg mayoral candidate Don Woodstock blames Indigenous men for violence against Indigenous women

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Some Winnipeg mayoral contestants are condemning candidate Don Woodstock for standing up at a forum on women's issues and stating Indigenous men are the cause of violence against Indigenous women.

Woodstock, a security-company owner who is making his second run for mayor, told an audience of about 60 mayoral-campaign workers and ordinary citizens on Thursday evening he believes "Aboriginal men" are the reason violence is committed against Indigenous women.

Woodstock made the comments Thursday evening at a forum organized by the Council of Winnipeg Women and held at the John Osborn unit of the Army Navy Air Force Veterans, in Polo Park.

All of the candidates were provided the same questions, in advance, about how they would improve public safety, Winnipeg Transit and housing for women in this city.

When it was Woodstock's turn to address safety, he said "Aboriginal" men don't respect Indigenous women, and that is why there is violence against Indigenous women.

After the forum, he repeated his comments. 

WATCH | Don Woodstock accuses Indigenous men:

"In my view, in what I've seen and what I hear, Indigenous men and youths need to come to the table to solve this problem of missing and murdered Indigenous women. This is the link," Woodstock said.

"In most cases, if you talk to them and listen to them and listen how they view and value women, it's not the same as how I view and value women."

Woodstock went on to say Indigenous men have too many sexual and romantic partners.

"Why do some youngsters see themselves as the only thing that is good for them is to have multiple wives, multiple sweethearts, multiple mothers, multiple families?" he asked, adding he does not believe his opinion is controversial. "I'm giving you my view of what I've seen."

Fellow mayoral candidates Jenny Motkaluk, Rick Shone and Shaun Loney condemned Woodstock's comments as racist.

Candidate Rana Bokhari briefly walked out when Woodstock made his comments.