The University of Victoria says an event planned for Tuesday on campus featuring OneBC leader Dallas Brodie is not permitted to take place.
A letter sent to organizers of the event, including Brodie, Jim McMurtry and Frances Widdowson, says that the trio did not go through the university’s booking process, and that it was too late to file one for the event as there would not be enough time to “ensure adequate safety planning is in place.”
The school added that another event was already booked at the university for that time.
“As such, you are not permitted to attend University of Victoria property for the purpose of speaking publicly, nor is this event permitted,” reads an email from campus security that was posted by Widdowson.
In the same post, Widdowson said, “We’re coming in!”
Both McMurtry and Widdowson have questioned the May 2021 announcement by the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation that more than 200 suspected unmarked graves had been identified on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops.
On Monday, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) said it condemned the upcoming event.
“UBCIC is deeply concerned that this event, under the guise of freedom of speech, will promote Residential School denialism and cause further harm to survivors,” said the union.
That same day, UVic acting president Robina Thomas said the school was “aware that a divisive public talk is being planned on our campus on Dec. 2, 2025,” in a statement.
She reiterated that the school did not receive a request to host the event on campus, and that the event is not authorized by UVic.
“I want to assure you that the university remains steadfast in our pledge to uphold ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL | respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things,” she said.
“We honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. As articulated in our Indigenous Plan, we honour the self-determining rights of Indigenous People and recognize that doing otherwise perpetuates harm,” said Thomas.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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