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A Metis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) leader is under fire for comments he made, calling eastern Metis derogatory names in a slur-filled speech.
Derek Langan, regional representative for Eastern Region 2A for MN-S near Yorkton, was speaking at the Crescent Lake Mtis Gathering, held July 31 to Aug. 2.
In a video posted to Facebook on his personal account on Aug. 3, Langan can be heard voicing his opinions on MN-S president Glen McCallum and criticized a decision to move to a “needs-based approval,” for Metis funding, rather than the existing formula of guaranteed funding.
Posted by Derek Langan on Monday, August 3, 2020
“Never, in my life have I ever seen such a spineless, cowardness, little dictating president of the MN-S. And I’m not talking sour grapes here,” he said during the speech.
“We’re going to fight, not only in the locals, not only in the regions, we will fight provincially. We will fight nationally, and we will just fight – as long as it’s for the right thing.”
As the speech continues, Langan uses choice words to describe the way he feels Metis people are using the system in Eastern Canada.
“We are giving away our rights, our citizenship to a bunch of, I don’t even wanna call them mixed-bloods, or whatever they are. They’re Heinz 57’s according to me, no more than that. And they’re getting Metis cards, and they’re going to be coming from Eastern Ontario, they’re going to be coming from further from where that’s from… they’re going to be trying to take our dollars,” he can be heard saying in the video.
He continues, with the crowd filled with laughter following more choice comments made against the Eastern Metis people.
“If I have a guaranteed set of money for my people, why would I go and tell say Manitoba for example… that I’m going to do away with that kind of formula so that you can claim more of my money that is being taken away from true Metis. Not these false-Metis, not these mongrels,” he said.
“I don’t mean to be harsh, I call it the way I see it. Y’know, if I see a monkey, it’s a damn monkey. To me, it’s not a human. So, I won’t sugar coat it.”
Later in the speech, Langan said to not mistake his words for anger, but that he’s “passionate” about his work.
On Aug. 11, president McCallum responded to the remarks in a long statement on Metis identity and leaders.
“Several citizens and community members have called, written or otherwise contacted me to express their shock and disappointment. I share their concerns,” the statement reads.
“We must be clear on who we are as a people, who we are as a nation and stand firm in defending the sanctity of our communities, identity and peoplehood.”
In a separate emailed statement to 650 CKOM, MN-S said violations to its existing code of conduct are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
It added that they are looking into the incident in Crescent Lake.
“Our legal team is looking into this matter and the comments and actions of Derek Langan,” the statement reads.
Langan later apologized for his actions in a Tuesday interview with 650 CKOM.
“Since (the comments were made), I have come to the point where I realize the error in my ways,” he said. “As a Christian, I should have never used such words like that just to cut any human being up.”
“I apologize for that.”
Langan said he has a “long history” with President McCallum, but explained that he shouldn’t have moved to “schoolyard name-calling” when referring to Eastern Metis.
“For every person that may have been offended, I could name two or three that wouldn’t be offended… It’s all a matter of opinion at this point. I was called worse names than those over these very same comments then the comments I made. Really, it’s poor taste on my part,” he explained.
“They have the right to feel how they want to feel. I won’t hold them accountable for their opinions, that’s for sure.”