Athabasca Tribal Council calls for the resignation of Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Ward One Councillor M. Shafiq Dogar for hate speech
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(February 3, 2022) - Today during the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s formal and public budget meeting Councillor M. Shafiq Dogar responded to Councillor Kendrick Cardinal’s motion to fund prevention initiatives for Murdered, Missing and Exploited Indigenous People.
“During the meeting Councillor Dogar publicly stated that he did not support the motion because Indigenous people in Wood Buffalo reside in the rural areas and only come to Fort McMurray to get drunk, or fight, or have other legal issues,” summarized Karla Buffalo, CEO for Athabasca Tribal Council. “This is hate speech. Wood Buffalo’s Council Chambers is a place for reconciliation, not harmful statements and division.”
This statement was also factually untrue. According to the 2016 Canadian Census 5,195 Indigenous people make the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray their home. “In his response we heard derogatory, prejudiced and outright racist comments.” continued Buffalo.
ATC Calls Upon the RMWB to take the following actions:
We call for Councillor Dogar’s immediate resignation from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s council.
A formal apology on behalf of Mayor and Council be given to the Indigenous people of Wood Buffalo in writing and in a public Council meeting.
The entire RMWB Mayor and Council undertake within 30 days additional meaningful cultural awareness training specific to the First Nations of Wood Buffalo.
The video of this budget meeting in its entirety be released within 48 hours to the public.
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About ATC
Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca
For more information:
Karla Buffalo, Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca
Main Office Phone: (780) 791-6538