The chief of Aamjiwnaang First Nation says formal complaints have been submitted to the County of Lambton and City of Sarnia's integrity commissioners following remarks made by city/county councillor Bill Dennis last November.
In an 11 page letter to Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Janelle Nahmabin said she wanted to express her "deep concern and disappointment regarding inappropriate, untrue and disparaging comments from a member of both the Lambton County Council and Sarnia City Council."
Nahmabin said county council was discussing the First Nation's request for changes in how environmental fines are distributed when the remarks were made on November 27.
As reported by Sarnia News Today, councillor Dennis accused chief Nahmabin of having ulterior motives.
"They have an end goal to get rid of chemical valley," said Dennis. "Many of our constituents are employed by chemical valley. They've already put INEOS out of business. We, we can not keep on being weak to these people, we can't. We got to show some, some backbone."
In her letter, Nahmabin identified a total of seven remarks made by Dennis -- including the timestamps from the virtual broadcast -- all of which she called "untrue, offensive and tarnishes the dignity of the office held by the chief as well as the broader community of Aamjiwnaang First Nation."
"These comments also disregard and undermine the substantial amount of time, effort, and resources that Aamjiwnaang devotes to developing constructive relationships with neighbouring industry," Nahmabin writes. "Such statements are contrary to the spirit of collaboration, inclusion, and reconciliation, which are essential to building strong and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities."
Chief Nahmabin urges councillor Dennis to retract his statements and issue a formal and public apology to her and the community as a whole.
She is also urging Lambton County Council and Sarnia City Council to issue a public apology to Aamjiwnaang First Nation for Dennis' remarks, and hold him accountable to ensure the behaviour is not repeated.
Nahmabin has asked all Lambton County Council members to commit to sensitivity and cultural awareness training to better understand Indigenous communities and their leadership.
"It is imperative that Lambton County and the City of Sarnia take immediate and meaningful action to address this matter, as failure to do so could significantly harm relations between the county and city with Aamjiwnaang First Nation," she said.
Nahmabin said she understands many Ontario integrity commissioners decline code of conduct complaints that occur during council meetings unless council asks them to be investigated.
"Should this be the case, I would urge both county council and city council to direct their respective integrity commissioners to fully investigate these complaints," she said.
Nahmabin said since her request at the November meeting was received and filed instead of raised for discussion, the First Nation would welcome any opportunity to discuss the matter further at a future meeting.