'Are you an Indian?' Kevin Chief knows racism, also how to overcome it

Manitoba MLA Kevin Chief calls this a time to share everyone's stories and work to eliminate racism.

The MLA for Winnipeg's North End, and the minister responsible for the City of Winnipeg, said people in the city are willing to get into a conversation about racism and deal with it head on — and that's an important start.

Chief said he has had his own personal stories of dealing with racism, especially when it came to his last name.

"I think it's a real cool name but there was a time in my life where I was a young boy, six or seven years old, someone [would] say, 'your name's Chief?' And I'd say, 'yeah.' And they'd say, 'are you an Indian?' And I remember not wanting to answer that question because I thought maybe answering it meant I didn't belong," he said.

Chief said stories like his are not uncommon but there were also people in his life who made it clear he did belong. And that's what the community must continue to do for each other.

"My coaches, my teachers that made me and my friends feel like anything is possible," he said.

He believes now is the time for change because people are talking about racism, admitting its there, not trying to hide it.

With it in the open, it can be met head on.

"Anytime you take a difficult issue, the conversation, the dialogue, our ability to talk about hard issues is incredibly important. And that is the opportunity we were given [with the Maclean's article]," Chief said.

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Chief said he has been encouraged by calls from people across the province and the country about how to keep the dialogue open and make change. 

Despite the label put on the city by Maclean's, Chief said he's proud of Winnipeg.

"Absolutely, first off, I'm incredibly proud to say I'm aboriginal, and I'm incredibly proud to say that I'm an aboriginal person living in this magnificent city," he said.

The Maclean's magazine, which hit newsstands Thursday, features a cover story that claims "Canada has a bigger race problem than America. And it's ugliest in Winnipeg."

​​"The Manitoba capital is deeply divided along ethnic lines. Its native citizens suffer daily indignities and horrific violence," the article states.

Chief said he has been encouraged by calls from people across the province and the country about how to keep the dialogue open and make change.

'Winnipeggers are up to the challenge'

Like Chief, Mayor Brian Bowman said he's had a flood of calls from mayors and leaders across the country supporting him. And every one of the callers applauded his response to the story.

​Bowman asked many of the city's prominent leaders to gather with him at city hall, and although they had little notice, they stood beside him for a press conference in which they did not dispute the article, but instead acknowledged the problems are real and must be faced.

Bowman said there's no doubt Winnipeg does have a problem with racism. He said the city has a responsibility to turn the ship around and will have an open dialogue with aboriginal leaders before taking concrete action.

He choked back tears as he spoke about his wife's Ukrainian heritage and his own Metis background, and of how he wants their sons to be proud of both family lines.

Bowman told CBC News on Friday that he's determined but at the same time, realistic about the challenge of combating racist attitudes.

"We may never end it and likely never will, but does that mean we just kind of say, 'well, I give up?' No. Winnipeggers are up to the challenge," he said.

Over the next few weeks several initiatives will be announced to begin to address racism, he added.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission waded into racism debate on Friday, issuing the following release:

“We are here to help,” the Manitoba Human Rights Commission’s Executive Director Azim Jiwa said after reading the Maclean's magazine’s article claiming that Winnipeg may be Canada's most racist city.

“We have reported an increase in complaints based on ancestry and that includes aboriginal people over the last few years,” he says. “We are, however, painfully aware that these complaints just scratch the surface of what is happening in our city.”

The commission is intent on wanting the aboriginal community to know that the Human Rights Code exists in Manitoba to help protect people from discrimination. Anyone who experiences discrimination in housing, employment or discrimination that prevents them from shopping or entering business establishments should contact the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. 

As for the public at large, Mr. Jiwa says that hearing example after example of street racism is disturbing and certainly should not be ignored.

“This is where our many education and awareness programs and outreach activities can help,” says Mr. Jiwa. “We are and will continue to be part of the solution by informing every one of their rights and responsibilities, and explaining how racism, or any form of discrimination, can be destructive to a business, school or community.”

The mandate of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission is to promote and educate the public about human rights in this province and to enforce the anti-discrimination provisions of the Human Rights Code. The commission investigates complaints to determine if there is enough evidence to require a public hearing. The commission also mediates complaints, facilitating voluntary resolutions and remedies between the parties. The commission has both policies and guidelines reflecting its interpretation of the code.

As part of its promoting and educating mandate, the commission has education seminars for employers and property owners, annual youth conferences, public consultations and many outreach activities on all topics covered by the Human Rights Code.