The chief of Walpole Island First Nation has filed a formal complaint with the City of Sarnia over what she calls deeply offensive and dismissive Facebook comments made by Councillor Bill Dennis.
Leela Thomas has written a formal letter addressed to city hall and the integrity commissioner.
On his personal page, Dennis referenced the recent mural installation at city hall, calling Indigenous art and its supporters "woke" and out of touch with the vast majority of Sarnians.
Thomas said "support for Indigenous art is not a political trend. It is tied to culture, identity, history, and ongoing efforts toward truth and reconciliation."
"Reducing it to a derogatory or trivialized term undermines its significance and disrespects Indigenous peoples and those individuals that are taking action towards reconciliation," she continued.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin commented on Dennis' Facebook post, defending the art.
"Bill, woke art? A beautiful painting is woke? Because it has brown people? The race division you continuously perpetuate resolves nothing. This art reflects the history of this area. Does the presence of Aamjiwnaang bother you? Or rather, our existence? Seems like it does. It’s a shame to you that the 'Indians' still exist, doesn’t it? Bill how much of tax dollars has your poor & tantrum like behaviour caused citizens?"
Dennis fired back at Nahmabin.
"I watched your interview on YourTv and you don't fool me one iota. When Marlon asked you point blank is it your intention to shut down Chemical Valley you danced around the question, you acted like a typical insincere dishonest politician," wrote Dennis. "You are terrified of me becoming mayor (and you should be) because you know that see through your bulls*** and I won't kiss your a ** like naive clowns like Bradley, Vandenberg and White and that I will fight you lock stock and barrel if you try to go after other Sarnia refineries and jobs. Trust me. I'm a Warrior unlike Bradley. The obligation to seek your permission on our decisions on expansion, development and economic growth. I will fully educate the citizens of Sarnia on that ridiculous agreement."
Dennis has also since commented on the Walpole Island First Nation Facebook page.
"You might want to add that if I become Mayor I won’t change the name of any streets in Sarnia that you find offensive or tear down any statues either," he wrote. "And also if I have my way we will not be doing the land acknowledgment before meetings either. So put that in your pipes and smoke it."
Thomas' letter said, "vulgar language, personal attacks, threats, and intimidation towards Indigenous leadership is unprofessional and unacceptable. Further, the UNDRIP agreement is the whole basis for how our nations and the city work together. Promising to get rid of it, shows that Mr. Dennis does not recognize our inherent, treaty, and constitutional rights. This goes beyond offensive, it is a threat to the formal relationship that we have been striving to build over the years."
Thomas said Dennis' comments have "caused distress and concern among Indigenous residents and allies alike, and they undermine efforts toward reconciliation, respect, and meaningful relationship-building."
She is asking city officials to review what steps will be taken to respond to this situation under the Code of Conduct.
She's also asking how council intends to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future, noting it is essential that elected officials uphold standards that reflect respect, inclusivity, and a commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
She said silence or inaction in response to such conduct risks eroding public trust and causing further harm.
Thomas urges council to take this matter seriously and respond in a way that demonstrates leadership, accountability, and respect for all communities.
The chief of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Kimberly Bressette, also shared a letter addressed to Sarnia's integrity commissioner regarding Dennis' Facebook comments.
Bressette is calling for serious action to be taken regarding "this racist profanity that has happened."
