Another Fort Frances councillor has resigned.
Mandie Olson announced her resignation on her Facebook page, releasing a five-page letter to explain her decision.
Part of it related to a discussion at last Monday’s council meeting regarding the role of the Indigenous Relations Advisory Committee.
After outlining a number of changes, Olson spoke about the importance of taking action when it comes to reconciliation.
“I guess what I’m looking for (from) this particular committee is the motivation reconciliation or reconcili-action? Are we looking to work from that place of action and being able to guide those recommendations in a safe way?” asked Olson.
“Reconciliation in itself is a word, not an action.
That drew a response from Mayor Andrew Hallikas.
“To me, it’s wordsmithing. We want to be able to advise a municipality on reconciliation, how to go about that. That’s an action. If you want to use the term reconciliation, I have no problem with that.”
Olson writes that she cried at council and suggests meaningful discussions are not welcome at the council table.
She states that by raising the issue of reconciliation, she hoped other members would offer their views and perspectives.
That did not happen.
“As it stands, the responsibility of developing or informing our reconciliation policy really lies with the Indigenous Relations committee. I believe this is dishonourable and doing a disservice to the Indigenous Relations advisory committee, but also our community. I have said many times that our municipalities should not be implementing a reconciliation policy, but instead implementing reconciliation to all that we do,” writes Olson.
She also questions the town’s proclamation of Truth and Reconciliation while continuing to take First Nations to court over Point Park.
“I vow to myself and this community that I will not participate in practices that don’t align with my morals, values and principles. I know who I am and what I have to offer. I assure you that I will continue to work hard for the community, empowering those grassroots initiatives and continuing to challenge the status quo.”
Acadia News reached out to Olson for further comment, but the former councillor declined our request.
It is the second resignation for Fort Frances council this year.
In May, David Kircher stepped down after an Integrity Commissioner’s report determined he had violated the Council Code of Conduct.
He was replaced by Kaleb Firth.
