Premier Dwight Ball has apologized to Innu Nation Grand Chief Gregory Rich and is hoping to meet with Innu Nation leadership following this week’s events involving Perry Trimper.
The former minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment resigned yesterday, just a week after taking over the portfolio.
Trimper was caught on a voice message left for the Innu Nation discussing the Innu with an un-named woman. Words like “God-given right” “race card” and “entitled” were used in the conversation.
Ball says Trimper has worked with the Innu Nation for years and he calls his comments surprising and disappointing.
He says Trimper, who will remain in caucus, is open to being involved in a restorative justice program.
Ball does not defend the comments that were made and does not support them in any way, but acknowledges that they have caused those working in the public service a certain amount of stress.
The woman in the message has not been named and according to the Premier is not in an executive or managerial position with government.
Derrick Bragg, the MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels, has been appointed as the new minister of Minicipal Affairs and Environment.
Bragg was officially sworn-in yesterday afternoon at Government House by Lieutenant Governor Judy Foote.
The swearing in of a new Minister of Municipal Affairs & Environment (MAE) took place at GH today. Congratulations to Fogo Island-Cape Freels MHA Derrick Bragg, former MAE Parliamentary Secretary, on his appointment to Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/vGf6zO3R3i
— LG Judy Foote (@judy_foote) September 14, 2019
Capacity for Liberals to Attempt Reconciliation “Destroyed”, Says Crosbie
The Leader of the Opposition says the capacity for the Liberal government to attempt reconciliation with the Inuit, and now Innu, has been destroyed.
Ches Crosbie says in August the Nunatsiavut government showed “extreme disappointment” with the Liberal government over Muskrat Falls, stating the Premier had “repeatedly betrayed trust” and that they wanted no part in reconciliation.
Crosbie says Trimper’s comments remind us all to be mindful, and interrogate ourselves about our inner beliefs about race and stereotypes that are racial in nature.
He says we need to constantly try and eradicate those thoughts from our mind and thinking.
Crosbie says Ball has to take that approach to himself and his cabinet, and has to, if he can, engage with Indigenous groups as to how to carry that through – whether he can do that, Crosbie says is problematic.
He says Ball and the Liberals now need to decide if Trimper can remain in caucus.
