South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Garry Michi has come under fire over comments he made in an audio recording, in which he challenged the financial sensibility of developing a water treatment facility for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. The community along the Bruce Peninsula has been adhering to a boil water advisory since January 2019.
In the audio clip made public last week, Michi was quoted as making disparaging remarks about the community, questioning the past utilisation of funds dedicated to water treatment. He also hinted at a lack of hygiene and expressed doubt over the effective maintenance of the proposed facility.
The recording has been verified by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula to be from Michi, leading to the leadership of the Chippewas of Nawash demanding that the Mayor resign immediately. In a statement, they expressed their dissatisfaction with what they branded a lack of respect towards their people and all First Nations experiencing deprivation of fundamental human rights, particularly access to clean water.
The Chippewas of Nawash statement also condemned the Mayor’s apparent lack of understanding of the history and importance of their rights, adding that such ignorance has no place in a position of leadership.
Mayor Michi has not made any public response, but the South Bruce Peninsula swiftly distanced itself from his comments, stating his views did not reflect their stance on the matter. Speaking on the issue, South Bruce Peninsula Deputy Mayor, Jay Kirkland, reiterated the town’s support for federally-funded projects to ensure the provision of safe drinking water to all First Nations communities in Canada.
Bruce County, where Michi is a county council member, described his comments as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘hurtful’, and extended an apology for his remarks. The Saugeen First Nation, who share a border with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, called out the audio recording as ‘reprehensible’, ‘denigrating’, and ‘racist’.
Currently, work continues on the Chippewas of Nawash’s new water treatment plant and related infrastructure, aimed at ending the prolonged boil water advisory enforced on 750 people in 264 homes.
While no public statement has been issued by Michi, a message on the South Bruce Peninsula website lists ‘reconciliation with the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation’ as a priority. This contrasts starkly with the sentiments expressed in the audio recording, wherein Michi asserts the believed lack of care for the forthcoming water treatment plant and alludes to negligent housekeeping habits.
The Saugeen First Nation recently secured a court decision granting them a significant portion of the Sauble Beach shoreline, a verdict currently under appeal by the South Bruce Peninsula. Meanwhile, an audit of Michi’s election finances is ongoing.
