The prominent Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre, recently found himself caught in a whirlwind of online disapproval following his social media posts. These depicted photographs of him alongside an Inuk elder, inaccurately labelled as an Algonquin elder. This faux pas occurred on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, further compounding the public consternation.
The Conservative leader shared on his social media, previously identified as Twitter, the photographs accompanied with a caption referring to his encounter with Algonquin elders and leaders. This congregation took place around the eternal flame at Parliament Hill to pay homage to the shared holiday, an event spearheaded by both Algonquin Nation and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
In a swift public response, Marc Miller, the erstwhile minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, noted that Poilievre’s depiction was far from accurate. He stated that the individuals in the images were not of Algonquin descent but were in fact Inuit. He acknowledged that everyone, including political leaders, are being confronted with hard truths, even while misapprehensions may occasionally arise in the process of learning.
The misidentification error was also rectified by MP Lori Idlout, confirming the presence of the notable Elder Manitok Thompson, who is Inuk and hails from Nunavut, in the photographs shared by Poilievre.
One photograph shows Poilievre engaged in a close interaction with Thompson near the eternal flame. The other image captures the pair alongside three other individuals, two of whom were garbed in traditional Inuit clothing.
An official spokesperson for Poilievre explained that his presence was at a ceremony helmed by Algonquin leaders. Here, he had engaged in dialogue with various Indigenous Peoples, including the Inuit women who were documented in the photos.
The event was also attended by Claudette Commanda, a renowned elder and residential school survivor from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, an Algonquin community not too far from Ottawa.
Following her meeting with Poilievre, Thompson offered her perspective online regarding various Inuit priorities which includes elder care, health, housing, economic development, amongst other pressing subjects. Upon the conclusion of their meeting, she expressed her gratitude towards Poilievre for his patient audience.
Thompson further stated that if political leaders could harmonize their approach beyond partisan lines, recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission could be implemented more rapidly. She concluded by stating the Indigenous community’s aspiration for equal opportunities, independence, home ownership, and business ownership.
The day marked the third year of the federal statutory holiday that originated from the grassroots Orange Shirt Day. It aims to acknowledge the trauma endured by Inuit, First Nations and Metis people in state- and church-run residential schools. An array of residential school survivors and Indigenous leaders, who included Crown-Indigenous relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Governor General Mary Simon, thronged Parliament Hill for the commemorative event.
