Update: The Snuneymuxw First Nation took its flag back Friday after staff removed it from a pole at Nanaimo City Hall.
A gathering of First Nation officials, city councillors and others attended the afternoon event, which was prompted by concerns about the treatment of city manager Tracy Samra, who is on leave from her job.
Sarma, who belongs to the Saddle Creek First Nation, has complained to police that she was the target of violence while on the job.
A petition protesting violence against Indigenous women was recently submitted to Nanaimo council.
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Members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation government want their flag back.
They will be at Nanaimo City Hall at noon today to retrieve the Snuneymuxw flag that has been flying above city hall for more than two years. The move is being taken to protest the treatment of Tracy Samra, Nanaimo’s city manager.
“We cannot sit idly by in the face of violence against an Indigenous woman — we are compelled to rise to speak out against this,” said Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley.
The First Nation’s chief and council unanimously passed a resolution in August to take back the flag, which the Snuneymuxw gave to the city on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2015.
Samra, a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, was hired as city manager in fall 2015. The following spring, the Snuneymuxw expressed concern about the way Samra was being treated, and received assurances that any problems would be dealt with.
A physical confrontation was reported this spring. A video clip posted online shows former councillor Wendy Pratt charging toward Samra.
The Snuneymuxw resolution says there has been no public apology from Pratt or from Nanaimo council, and that Mayor Bill McKay has been quoted as saying he has not seen any evidence of violence toward Samra.
“I brought this resolution [to remove the flag] forward to denounce violence against Indigenous women and to censure the mayor’s denial of that violence,” Snuneymuxw Coun. Doug White said Thursday. “Both are totally unacceptable and reprehensible.”
Pratt resigned from council in April. Sheryl Armstrong, a former police officer with experience in conflict resolution, was elected in a July byelection to fill the vacant seat.
The Snuneymuxw resolution states that the flag is an important symbol of the First Nation and must be treated with respect and dignity, and must not be dishonoured in any way.
“In addition to condemning the violence and denial of that violence, Snuneymuxw has determined that the Snuneymuxw Flag can no longer fly at Nanaimo City Hall as the actions therein have brought dishonour to the sacred symbol of our Nation,” the First Nation said in a statement.
Wesley said the First Nation is committed to working with the citizens of Nanaimo and their government to build new relationships based on recognition, respect, reciprocity, justice and reconciliation.
Violence against Indigenous women is the focus of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The Snuneymuxw flag has been flying at Nanaimo City Hall beside those of B.C. and Nanaimo.
