‘Zero recollection of that event’: Calgary city councillor responds to online video mocking Indigenous culture, women

One social media post is a screenshot of Ward 13 councillor Dan McLean at the table with Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis and Calgary political operative Craig Chandler. (Source: Twitter)

A Calgary city councillor says he has no recollection of events now posted online where his voice can allegedly be heard imitating an Indigenous accent and making vulgar comments.

Ward 13 Coun. Dan Mclean confirmed to CTV News he’s aware of a video that appears to show former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis and Calgary political operative Craig Chandler in which misogynistic and racist language is used in reference to Indigenous women.

“All I can tell you is that I have zero recollection of that event,” said McLean in a text message to CTV News.

He did not respond to follow-up questions about whether it is indeed him speaking or what he thinks of the comments made in the videos. One post is a screenshot of McLean at the table with Denis and Chandler.

Two short videos posted anonymously to social media have received negative attention with many people denouncing the comments that can be heard.

"Steal our f*cking land," McLean can allegedly be heard saying off camera in the video.

Denis is seen in the video speaking in an accent, swearing, making sexual comments and mocking women as Chandler laughs along.

'DISGUSTING AND DEPLORABLE'

Indigenous advocate Michelle Robinson weighed in on the video, noting it highlights the violence Indigenous women face regularly, calling it both 'disgusting' and 'deplorable.'

"Here we have the most powerful men saying violent, awful things about Indigenous women as sex objects and sex toys," Robinson said.

"Unfortunately, this is just another example from the folks with power and privilege misusing their power and privilege to oppress Indigenous people."

Robinson added that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission highlights that the media and public servants are to have Indigenous education and anti-racism training.

She says it’s clear the message is not being taken seriously by some local politicians as she calls for a meaningful apology.

"We've actually seen an example of an attempt of a real ceremony out on the west coast where the perpetrators of this racism were invited to come and have a ceremony and share and do a meaningful apology," she said.

"I'm not suggesting treaty seven would do that, but that is a good example of things that could be done in order to make things right."

'COMPLACENCY WILL BE THE DEATH OF US ALL'

Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner weighed in on the video in a post to Twitter and later held an opportunity to field questions with reporters as she highlighted her displeasure.

"Complacency will be the death of us all. And I think that we need to stand up for what's right. I think we need to show each other that we are watching each other and that we will hold each other to the highest standards," said Penner.

"Whether this video was shot pre-campaign or pre-election, the path towards truth and reconciliation isn't anything new and we know that imitating anyone of another culture is just not acceptable behavior."

Penner called on McLean to apologize and used this video as an example of why learning about Indigenous cultures is more important now than ever.

"We have an Indigenous relations office who is willing to work with us at any time, we've recently been out to Siksika to have a conversation with counsel in the nation out there," she said.

"So the opportunity is there and what I would say is for anyone who's looking to run for office, open the door for yourself sooner than later and get to know what is right and what isn't right."

VIDEOS FILMED OVER TWO YEARS AGO 

Chandler contacted CTV News late Thursday evening to say he did not make comments in a series of videos that were filmed inside of his Calgary home over two years ago. 

 He added that he has since moved out of that residence. 

"These were private gatherings in private homes," Chandler wrote in an email to CTV News.

"No one consented to being filmed."

 Chandler confirmed that the videos appear to show him and Denis sitting at his table, but he does not believe the social media posts to be legitimate, noting that the voices heard do not sound like anyone he knows. 

He says the phrases heard in the video are the same kind of jokes heard in in 'Brocket 99' – an old audio show -- that parodied Indigenous people in Canada and is often described as racist. 

Chandler insists the videos posted to social media were not meant to disparage anyone. 

"Heck, I am a born-again Christian and Monty Python mocks Christianity in The Search for the Holy Grail and the Life of Brian, but I am not crying foul," he said.

"Did you attack Dave Chapelle and other comedians in the search for their work? Heck do you remember Andrew Dice Clay? I am not a racist and I have close friends in various cultures. But this is cancel culture at best." 

Chandler says he knows who released the videos, but will not reveal their identity on the advice of his lawyer.  

Chandler can briefly be heard speaking in an accent in the video, but he says he makes no comments.

On Friday, Chandler confirmed to CTV News he has filed a police report to determine who recorded and released the videos, and said that Calgary police are investigating.

DENIS CLAIMS VIDEOS ARE DOCTORED

Denis is a founding partner of Guardian Law Group, who released the following statement to CTV News claiming the videos are doctored:

"A member of our firm has been targeted with online harassment," said Guardian Law Group.

"We now have evidence that these videos are being doctored. The police are engaged."

Guardian Law Group did not respond to follow-up requests for comment when asked what evidence its team had that the videos were doctored or what kind of alleged online harassment was taking place.

MCLEAN RELEASES VIDEO STATEMENT

On Friday, Mclean released a video in which he addressed the allegations made in the clip.

"Due to recent events that have unfolded on social media, I felt it necessary to release this statement, this video," he said.

"All my life I have always admired and deeply respected the cultures and histories of First Nations people, Metis and Indigenous."

Appearing with him in the video was Mclean's "dear friend" Alice Marchand, who he identified as a First Nations elder, residential school survivor and ambassador for her people, saying she's served as a spiritual advisor to him for several years.

"I am a member of the Okanagan First Nation and I live here in the city of Calgary on Ward 13 where I am very honoured to have Dan Mclean as a councillor," Marchand said.

"I just ask that all of us take care of each other and we settle our differences in a positive way."

Marchand goes on to thank Mclean for all that he has done for her personally.

"I too hope for a brighter future where politicians, political operatives, media, the 'Twitter-atti' maybe quit using religion and culture to divide us," Mclean said.

"Now more  than ever we need to work toward our paths toward reconciliation, a brighter prosperity for all of us."

The video from Mclean was posted with a caption that said:

"On my own personal journey I recognize that I have made mistakes in the past and for that I sincerely apologize."