A student at Memorial University says the focus needs to be on the wider issues facing the Indigenous population following news yesterday that Vianne Timmons is no longer the MUN President.

Timmons came under fire in the final months of her tenure for claims of Indigenous heritage.

Beth Jacobs is a representative on the MUNSU board and an executive on The Circle of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students.

Jacobs says the issues at hand are far greater than a single person claiming to be Indigenous.

They say Timmons has been at the center of the discussion, while greater issues of systemic racism, colonization, and neo-colonialism have been “dismissed.”

That has caused more harm to the community, says Jacobs, because at a time when the community is grieving and trying to process shock they have not had access to direct action.

And now, Jacobs says, Timmons is moving on without having to face any accountability. As well, they say because of Timmons’ dismissal the Board of Regents and other areas of the province will not take accountability for systemic racism, instead pinpointing it on one person.

The Innu Nation says while the departure of Vianne Timmons from Memorial University closes the door on the issues surrounding the former president, larger issues policy issues about Indigenous peoples at MUN still need to be addressed.

This includes what they say is the “growing problem” of people and groups who wrongfully claim to be Indigenous.

The Innu Nation says the University can no longer sit on the sidelines on this issue and must take proactive steps to address it.

Meanwhile, the provincial government has commented on Timmons leaving office.

The Department of Education says MUN’s Board of Regents is responsible for management and administration at the University.

They note that the outcome was made independent of government, and they respect the decision.