8/12/2019 Mathias Colomb Cree Nation news release on Laurie River Lodge.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29th, 2014

Pukatawagan, Manitoba: Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN) represents the sovereign nation of theMissinippi Nehethowak, a Cree word meaning big river people. We are Woodland-Stoney Cree and

many still speak Cree as our first language. Our extensive territory comprises nearly 1/8 of northernManitoba and includes our traditional, treaty and reserve lands as well as our trap-line areas. We are a

strong people with a rich culture and language that have remained strong because of the determination

of our people to protect our ways for future generations.

Yesterday, Chief Dumas received numerous e-mails, phone calls and faxes from band members andlodge owners bringing to his attention the racist remarks contained in the promotional brochures for the

Laurie River Lodge owned by Brent and Erin Fleck. In this brochure dated 2014, the Flecks promotethe racist drunken Indian stereotype by warning its customers not to give alcohol to its Cree guides

under any circumstances because Cree like all Native North Americans, they have a basicintolerance for alcohol and there could be problems.

Chief Dumas wrote to the Flecks and pointed out that there is no scientific evidence to support such

racist claims. He further reminded them that Laurie River Lodge makes its entire profit from the lands,waters, fish, wildlife and traditional knowledge of the Cree people. Today, Chief Dumas received an

email from Brent Fleck (dated May 28, 2014) which states (in part):

I wish to convey my most sincere apologizes for the wording of the section that

covers alcohol to our staff members. It was written MANY, MANY years ago andshould have been updated When I originally wrote that paragraph my intention

was to ensure that there was no pressure put on our guides to consume alcohol

with their guests when they were in fact responsible for the health and safety of

the fishermen in their boat.

After reading the paragraph in my trip planning guide I have to agree that,

despite the fact that it was not intended to offend anyone, it could be taken in that

context. I am in the process of removing the offending paragraph from my

literature. I also would like to sincerely apologize to anyone that it may have

offended.

Chief Dumas explains: This e-mail is not an apology for anything - its a list of excuses and defenses.

A sincere apology is one which acknowledges the wrong-doing, accepts responsibility for the harm thatwas caused, promises to never repeat the offensive action, and then offers to make amends for any

harm done. I am offended that he would suggest that the issue was not his but mine - that I somehowmisunderstood what he wrote. I can assure you that neither I, my band members, nor the numerous

lawyers, academics, and members of the public who have since contacted me, have misunderstoodwhat he wrote.

8/12/2019 Mathias Colomb Cree Nation news release on Laurie River Lodge.

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Chief Dumas further stated: Mr. Flecks apology contradicts itself. On the one hand, he appears to

apologize with the excuse that he wrote the brochure many years ago, implying that it was racist andshould have been removed. Then he contradicts this by saying it was meant to be helpful to all staff

and no offense should have been taken. He didnt write this brochure to cover all staff - he wrote itspecifically about Cree guides from Pukatawagan and spoke about all Natives.

It was either racist 15 years ago when he wrote it and forgot to remove it, or it was never racist. If Irecall, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which protects people from discrimination was enacted over

30 years ago he added.

Chief Dumas stands by his original letter and demands that the Flecks:

(1)that Laurie River Lodge remove the offending material from their website;(2)that the Flecks offer a public apology to all Cree People and all Indigenous peoples in North

America;

(3)that the Flecks write a personal letter of apology to each and every Cree and/or Indigenous personwho works with their business; and

(4)That the Flecks find a way to make amends to MCCN specifically for the harm and upset they havecaused.

Our values, beliefs, spirituality and world views stem from our traditional Indigenous knowledgesystems in relation to math, science, astronomy, history, medicine, environment and eco-systems and

many other related subjects. This knowledge has been handed down to us by successive generations ofour ancestors. The Flecks should have been honoured that our people shared their wisdom for their

companys benefit.

Chief Dumas concluded: Our nation has been significantly impacted by colonization and the resulting

racism against our people, but, despite these ongoing challenges, we make great efforts to preserve ourlanguage, history, teachings, ceremonies and practices for the benefit of our future generations. I amgrateful that Mr. Flecks views do not represent those of the many Canadians with whom we have good

working relationships.

For more information, or to contact Chief Dumas for an interview, please contact Chief Dumas directly

via e-mail at arlendumas@yahoo.com or via his cell phone (204) 620-0483.