Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Turpel-Lafond 'satisfied' with identity, past work

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Mar, 2023 11:32 AM
  • Turpel-Lafond 'satisfied' with identity, past work

VANCOUVER - Former judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond says she's satisfied in her "past work, identity and self-worth," after the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association revoked an award because its board members believed she falsified her claims of Indigenous identity.

In her most expansive recent remarks since a CBC investigation last fall raised questions about her claim of Cree heritage, Turpel-Lafond said it's "liberating" to be freed of honours because it permits her to "focus on what really matters" in her life.

She has "no emotional attachment to titles, honours or accolades," she said Thursday by email in response to a request for comment by The Canadian Press.

But Turpel-Lafond said she was surprised the association rescinded the 2020 Reg Robson Award without "basic fairness," such as allowing her an opportunity to be heard.

"Trial by media is rampant, can be unbalanced and cause harm," said the former law professor and B.C. representative for children and youth.

"This is precisely how wrongful convictions and injustice happens — take a position based on what someone else suggests while never delving deeper into matters to determine the truth."

She used an Indigenous name, aki-kwe, in her email signature, as well as her English name.

The civil liberties association issued a statement Thursday saying its board had believed Turpel-Lafond's representations about her heritage when granting the award.

Indeed, they believed her ancestry "played an essential role in informing her professional roles, her position in the community, and her work to advance human rights on behalf of Indigenous Peoples and advocacy organizations," it said.

But information had come to light demonstrating that, in its board's view, Turpel-Lafond had falsified her claim of Cree heritage, while certain professional and academic accomplishments had also been disproven or called into question.

Her professional integrity has been eroded, it said, adding Turpel-Lafond had yet to publicly account for the allegations about her heritage and other claims, including that she was recognized with a Queen's counsel designation in Saskatchewan.

Her actions have taken opportunities and recognition away from Indigenous women and played a part in "gravely undermining" public confidence in the legal profession, it said.

The association must follow the lead of Indigenous scholars, leaders and organizations, including the Indigenous Women's Collective, which is demanding that all honorary degrees and awards conferred on her be revoked, it said.

McGill University, Carleton University and the University of Regina each rescinded honorary degrees awarded to Turpel-Lafond last month, and she has returned degrees conferred by two B.C. post-secondary institutions after the schools initiated reviews in response to questions and concerns about her claims.

Others have confirmed they are looking into honorary degrees awarded to her, including Brock, Mount Saint Vincent and St. Thomas universities.

In conferring its own award, the civil liberties association recognizes it "contributed to amplifying … Turpel-Lafond's claims and position of influence," it said.

Her actions added to a "widespread pattern of Indigenous identity fraud, and the severe harms" it causes, it said.

"Indigenous identity fraud perpetuates colonial violence and assimilation practices, allowing settlers to shape the future for Indigenous communities while marginalizing Indigenous voices and weakening self-determination," it said.

Turpel-Lafond was also appointed to the Order of Canada in 2021.

She previously told the CBC that while she was growing up she didn't question the biological parentage of her father, who she has said was Cree.

"He was Cree, spoke Cree and lived the values of a Cree person," she said in a statement posted to her Twitter account last October. Her father's non-Indigenous grandparents had adopted her father, "who they knew to be a Cree child," she said.

Turpel-Lafond served as British Columbia's representative for children and youth and, until last December, she was a tenured law professor at the University of B.C.

Until last year, she also served as the academic director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at the university.

MORE National ARTICLES

First Nation to release school grave search info

First Nation to release school grave search info
The Tseshaht First Nation is presenting its search results in Port Alberni, B.C., after 18 months of planning and operations at the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School. Tseshaht Nation officials say children from at least 100 Indigenous communities attended the school when it operated from 1900 to 1973.

First Nation to release school grave search info

Man charged in downtown Vancouver shooting

Man charged in downtown Vancouver shooting
The Vancouver Police Department says the 32-year-old has been charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm. In an earlier statement after the Sunday afternoon shooting, the department said officers were working on East Hastings Street around 2:30 p.m. when the 31-year-old victim was repeatedly shot.

Man charged in downtown Vancouver shooting

University of British Columbia midwifery expanded

University of British Columbia midwifery expanded
The expansion from 28 to 48 seats, includes a dozen new spots in the bachelor of midwifery program and eight positions in the midwives bridging program, helping internationally educated midwives to become registered to practise in B.C.

University of British Columbia midwifery expanded

Invoking Emergencies Act justified: commission

Invoking Emergencies Act justified: commission
The 2,000-page report called the "Freedom Convoy" a "singular moment in history" exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as online misinformation and disinformation.

Invoking Emergencies Act justified: commission

Collision between a bus and a 41 year old male pedestrian leave him with life-threatening injuries

Collision between a bus and a 41 year old male pedestrian leave him with life-threatening injuries
The pedestrian was walking near the Sperling-Burnaby Lake Station Bus Loop when he was struck by a southbound transit bus turning into the bus loop just after 6 p.m. last night. It was dark and raining at the time of the crash, but all contributing factors in this incident are still under investigation.

Collision between a bus and a 41 year old male pedestrian leave him with life-threatening injuries

Suspect arrested in residential arson

Suspect arrested in residential arson
Mounties have located and arrested the suspect. The fire was believed to be intentionally set by a person known to the occupants. Police do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the general public.

Suspect arrested in residential arson