A Calgary city councilor says he has no recollection of the incidents now posted online where his voice can allegedly be heard imitating an Indigenous accent and making vulgar comments.
Ward 13 Coun. Dan Mclean confirmed to CTV News that he is aware of a video that appears to show former Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis and Calgary political operative Craig Chandler using misogynistic and racist language about Indigenous women.
“All I can tell you is I don’t remember that event,” McLean said in a text message to CTV News.
He did not respond to follow-up questions about whether he is really speaking or what he thinks about the comments made in the video. One post is a shot of McLean at the table with Denis and Chandler.
Two short videos posted anonymously on social media have received negative attention with many people denouncing the comments that can be heard.
“Steal our f*cking land,” McLean can reportedly be heard saying off-camera in the video.
Dennis is seen in the video speaking with an accent, cursing, making sexual comments and mocking women while Chandler laughs along.
‘Disgusting and miserable’
Indigenous advocate Michelle Robinson took part in the video, stressing that it highlights the violence Indigenous women face on a regular basis, calling it ‘disgusting’ and ‘deplorable’.
“Here we have the most powerful men saying violent and horrible things about Indigenous women like sex objects and sex toys,” Robinson said.
“Unfortunately, this is just another example of people with power and privilege abusing their power and privilege to oppress Indigenous people.”
Robinson added that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission emphasizes that the media and public servants should have indigenous education and anti-racism training.
She says it is clear the message is not being taken seriously by some local politicians as she calls for a meaningful apology.
“We’ve actually seen an example of an attempt at a real ceremony on the west coast where the perpetrators of this racism were invited to come and have a ceremony and share and make a meaningful apology,” she said.
“I’m not suggesting that the seventh treaty would do that, but this is a good example of things that can be done to get things right.”
‘HAPPINESS WILL BE THE DEATH OF US ALL’
Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner weighed in on the video in a tweet and later had an opportunity to take questions with reporters as she voiced her displeasure.
“Complacency will be the death of us all. And I think we need to stand up for what’s right. I think we need to show each other that we’re watching out for each other and that we’re going to stick up for each other to the highest standards.” Penner said.
“Whether this video was shot before the campaign or before the election, the path to truth and reconciliation is nothing new, and we know that imitating anyone from another culture is simply unacceptable behavior.”
Penner called on McLean to apologize and used the video as an example of why learning about indigenous cultures is more important now than ever.
“We have an indigenous relations office that is willing to work with us at any time, we’ve recently been in Siksika to talk to lawyers on the ground there,” she said.
“So the opportunity is there and what I would say is that anybody looking to run for office, open the door for themselves sooner rather than later and learn what’s right and what’s not right.”
VIDEO I FILMED TWO YEARS AGO
Chandler contacted CTV News late Thursday night to say he made no comments in a series of videos that were filmed inside his Calgary home more than two years ago.
He added that he has since moved out of that residence.
“These were private gatherings in private homes,” Chandler wrote in an email to CTV News.
“No one agreed to be filmed.”
Chandler confirmed that the videos appear to show him and Dennis sitting at his desk, but he doesn’t believe the social media posts are legitimate, noting that the voices heard don’t sound like anyone he knows.
He says the phrases heard in the video are the same kind of jokes heard on ‘Brocket 99’ – an old audio show – that parodied Indigenous people in Canada and is often described as racist.
Chandler insists the videos posted on social media were not intended to demean anyone.
“Hell, I’m a born-again Christian and Monty Python makes fun of Christianity The Quest for the Holy Grail AND Life of Brianbut I’m not crying foul,” he said.
“Did you attack Dave Chapelle and other comedians looking for their jobs? Heck do you remember Andrew Dice Clay? I’m not racist and I have close friends in different cultures. But this is cancellation culture at its best. ”
Chandler says he knows who released the videos, but won’t reveal their identities on the advice of his attorney.
Chandler can be heard briefly speaking with an accent in the video, but he says he makes no comment.
On Friday, Chandler confirmed to CTV News that he has filed a police report to determine who recorded and released the videos, and said Calgary police are investigating.
DENIS THE VIDEOS CLAIMS ARE DOCTORED
Denis is a founding partner of the Guardian Law Group, which released the following statement to CTV News claiming the videos are doctored:
“A member of our firm has been the target of online harassment,” Guardian Law Group said.
“We now have evidence that these videos are being processed. The police are engaged.”
The Guardian Law Group did not respond to follow-up requests for comment when asked what evidence its team had that the videos were controlled or what kind of alleged online harassment was taking place.
MCLEAN RELEASES STATEMENT VIDEO
On Friday, Mclean released a video in which he addressed the allegations made in the clip.
“Due to the recent events that have unfolded on social networks, I felt it necessary to publish this statement, this video,” he said.
“Throughout my life I have deeply admired and respected the cultures and histories of First Nations, Metis and Indigenous peoples.”
Mclean’s “dear friend,” Alice Marchand, whom he identified as a The First Nations woman, residential school survivor and ambassador for her people, said she served as a spiritual advisor to him for several years.
“I’m a member of the Okanagan First Nation and I live here in the City of Calgary in Ward 13, where I’m very honored to have Dan Mclean as a councillor,” Marchand said.
“I just ask that we all look out for each other and work out our differences in a positive way.”
Marchand goes on to thank Mclean for everything he has done for him personally.
“I also hope for a brighter future where politicians, political operatives, the media, the ‘Twitter-atti’ will perhaps stop using religion and culture to divide us,” Mclean said.
“Now more than ever we need to work our way to reconciliation, a brighter prosperity for all of us.”
The video by Mclean was posted with a caption that said:
“In my own personal journey, I realize that I have made mistakes in the past and for that I sincerely apologize.”
