Council for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation issued a statement calling for the resignation of South Bruce Peninsula’s Mayor, after audio began circulating online this weekend allegedly showing Garry Michi making disparaging remarks about the community.
The clip was posted to Soundcloud Friday morning from an anonymous account called Saublesam. (Content warning: the linked audio contains potentially upsetting material.)
The audio is just one side of a phone conversation allegedly involving Mayor Michi, and the speaker makes derogatory comments about the First Nations community, including remarks about receiving federal funding for a new water treatment plant.
The Cape Croker Public Water system had been under a boil water advisory since 2019.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Chippewas of Nawash council say the comments "show an utter disregard and lack of respect to our people and all First Nations people who have been deprived of basic human rights."
South Bruce Peninsula’s Deputy Mayor Jay Kirkland issued a statement prior to that, on Friday evening, saying Michi’s alleged comments don’t reflect the views of the town.
Mayor Michi has not responded to the allegations at this time.