The Nazko First Nation and Lhoosk’uz First Nation have now officially joined the Lhtako Dene Nation in written disassociation of Quesnel mayor Ron Paull in matters of governance.
In a letter signed by by Lhtako’s chief Clifford Lebrun, Nazko’s chief Leah Stump, and a representative from Lhoosk’uz, they jointly affirmed that they would not individually or collectively work with Paull. Government to government business would have to be conducted with other members of Quesnel’s elected council.
Their position of Paull being persona non grata stems from the mayor’s wife Pat Morton and allegedly the mayor himself promoting to members of the community. The book’s contents downplay the atrocities of the residential school system.
The Lhtako Dene Nation had already issued a proclamation declaring Paull was not welcome. During a special hearing of Quesnel council on April 2, they spoke their intentions to cut ties with Paull.
This additional letter from all three southern Dakelh nations was posted April 24 on the Lhtako information page on Facebook. It was accompanied by other letters of support from Indigenous nations and organizations, and comes in advance of the April 30 meeting of Quesnel city council during which it is expected Quesnel’s leadership table will consider options for the censure of Paull, thus limiting his mayoral powers.
The tripartite letter stated:
Dear mayor and council:
RE: Letter of Support - Lhtako Dene Nation / Residential School Denialism
The leadership of the Southern Dakelh Nations appreciated the opportunity to speak directly to council and the public about our community’s concerns regarding the recent conduct of the mayor, especially in light of the fact that he, like his wife, was engaged in distributing a book that denies the horrific impacts of residential schools on generations of our people.
Given the mayor’s repeated public statement that he will not resign his leadership role in the city and that he will instead commit to “working hard” to reconciliation, we wish to make it clear that his failure to be truthful about his role in the distribution of the book and his failure to offer a true apology for his actions means that we will not work with the may in any capacity. The mayor’s statement that he believes people should be able to hear “all sides” of the story of residential schools shows that he does not understand what truth is, and is therefore not capable of engaging with us in the path of healing and reconciliation.
We have much work to do together, including very time sensitive collaborative planning to prepare for the upcoming fire season. However, we need sureity from council that the mayor will not engage in or play any role in any of our collaborative projects with the City. We sincerely hope that council will take steps to ensure the mayor does not continue to undermine the reputation of the City of Quesnel, and give us the guarantee we need to continue to work with council on the many projects we are working on together.
(Signed…the three leaders)
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