A group of three residential school denialists are planning a speech on UVic grounds today, even though the university has not sanctioned their presence in any way.
The event was organized by OneBC’s leader Dallas Brodie, along with Frances Widdowson, a former professor at Mount Royal University and Jim McMurtry, a former high school teacher who was dismissed for his views.
Widdowson was fired from her position at Mount Royal for her hateful views she shared via social media posts.
Lately, she has been public speaking, writing books and producing documentaries that decry “wokeism” and refute facts surrounding unmarked graves at residential schools.
What Widdowson, McMurtry and Brodie have in common specifically, is that they deny the fact that what Indigenous Peoples were put through while the residential school system existed in Canada was a form of genocide.
Furthermore, they all deny that the Kamloops Indian Band found and confirmed 215+ graves outside the Kamloops Residential School in 2021.
These claims will be the focal point of their event planned for 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd, in front of UVic’s McPherson Library.
This event is being framed as a “free speech discussion,” but this endeavour has not been approved by the university.
“The university learned of this event on the weekend. Organizers did not go through our space booking processes and the event is not sanctioned to proceed on our campus,” said a UVic spokesperson in a statement to Victoria Buzz.
“When space booking requests come to the university, we review them to help ensure that events hosted on our campus can take place safely and without causing undue risk to our community and/or property.”
UVic added that the university honours and stands with the lost children and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
However, the fact that their event is not permitted to take place has not deterred Widdowson, Brodie or McMurtry.
Widdowson confirmed in an email to Victoria Buzz that despite the university telling her the event is not permissible, she will be there anyway.
“If the university gives me a trespass notice, I will not obey it,” said Widdowson.
“They will have to arrest me to remove me from campus, and we will see what it does to UVic’s reputation.”
She added that she believes UVic has been “spreading misinformation about the 215+ ‘unmarked graves’” since the 2021 announcement.
Since Widdowson, McMurtry and Brodie are adamant on pursuing this speech, UVic’s Native Students’ Union along with numerous students and faculty members have called out the university, pressuring them to act and not allow these individuals on campus.
Indigenous faculty member Carey Newman posted on social media calling on people to show up in protest of the unsanctioned speech to stand with Indigenous Peoples and their experiences.
“These self-styled ‘truthtellers’ and ‘defenders of free speech,’ ignore official church and government records of residential school deaths, dismiss the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and disrespect the testimony of Survivors in order to promote their hateful and false rhetoric,” wrote Newman on social media.
“Bring your signs. Bring your drums. Bring your Voices. Bring your good hearts. Wear your orange shirts. And show them that love and truth are strong than hate.”
Widdowson’s last message to UVic before the unsanctioned speech was “Piss off, University of Victoria. We’re coming in!”
Update
According to a UVic spokesperson, the organizers of this event were escorted off university property by law enforcement upon arrival.
The university says that all events, no matter the size or scale must be booked through the proper channels.
When this is done, UVic has the ability to review the scope of the event to ensure the safety of those in attendance.
Furthermore, to Widdowson’s view that UVic was suppressing free speech by not allowing this event, the university said the following:
“The university values the free and lawful expression of ideas. We do not limit debate or prohibit the reasonable exercise of freedom of expression on campus.”
“However, it is imperative that activities on campus take place in a respectful manner and that, above all else, they are carried out with due regard to the safety and security of people and spaces – including those engaged directly or indirectly.”
Saanich Police say they attended and informed the organizers they were trespassing.
“The majority of the individuals chose to leave and were escorted off the property,” said Saanich Police in a statement to Victoria Buzz.
“Saanich officers arrested one individual under the trespass act and that person has since been released.”
Widdowson was reportedly the individual who was arrested during the incident.
