A delegation at a City of Powell River Council meeting to request withdrawal from the community accord with Tla’amin Nation was met with a silent protest.
At the May 16 city council meeting, when Ted Vizzutti appeared as a delegation, two rows of people in the council chambers gallery stood up and turned their backs to the speaker.
Vizzutti’s delegation was also characterized by several councillors interrupting proceedings, calling for points of order when the councillors believed Vizzutti had stepped over the line of decorum at the council meeting during his address.
Vizzutti, in his address, said the Concerned Citizens of Powell River group is appalled that council has not requested an official apology to the residents of Powell River and Canada from Maynard Harry.
“Mr. Harry has voiced his views in a newspaper in BC, the New Westminster Times,” said Vizzutti. “People have read his words. Mr. Harry has stated a brief apology to his people of Tla’amin Nation and that is as far as this has gone. How embarrassing this must be to him, his family, friends and heritage.
“Mr. Harry’s comments have enraged people across our great nation, as you can see from comments left on X, which is formerly Twitter.”
Vizzutti said Harry’s words go against the community accord the city and Tla’amin produced together to show a working relationship and trust. Harry had spoken to the New Westminster Times, accusing some Caucasian people as being subhuman.
“This official document hangs in the city hall chambers,” said Vizzutti. “How can this city continue to allow such a document and its false words to stay hanging in chambers?
“The Concerned Citizens of Powell River request the community accord between the City of Powell River and Tla’amin Nation be removed from city hall, and the accord be dissolved. This document is a false contract between the two groups.”
Vizzutti continued, saying it was obvious that Tla’amin’s intentions are more than finding a happy medium between themselves and the city.
“We feel their intentions are to harm, belittle, degrade, humiliate and put in our place and finally, erase…”
Councillor Trina Isakson called for a point of order, saying that the city has a respectful workplace policy that requires people to avoid language that results in a negative or hostile environment.
“The speculations and accusations against Tla’amin Nation are unwarranted,” said Isakson. “I think it’s possible for Mr. Vizzutti to make his concerns about the community accord known without bringing those accusations into his words.”
Mayor Ron Woznow ruled that there was no point of order so Vizzutti could continue.
Councillor George Doubt said he was challenging the chair’s ruling on the point of order. Council voted that the point of order was in order. Vizzutti was directed by Woznow to continue, and if any councillors felt there was a basis for a further point of order, they would call it again.
During his delegation, Vizzutti said Tla’amin would not be satisfied until the City of Powell River has been erased.
Isakson called another point of order, saying the language was creating a hostile and negative environment.
Vizzutti then read the articles of the community accord and commented on each of them. He said in the end, the Concerned Citizens request and expect the community accord to be removed from city hall and the accord dissolved.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she was incredibly proud of the community accord. She said she did not see anything helpful or good for the city’s relationship with Tla’amin coming out of the delegate’s suggestion.
Councillor Rob Southcott asked if the Concerned Citizens were willing to have discussions with others that don’t necessarily hold the same views.
Vizzutti said he could not speak for the Concerned Citizens, but he could take it back to the group when they have a gathering.
“I can ask that question and get an answer,” said Vizzutti. “For myself, open talk is always good.”
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