City of Terrace Pledges to End Systemic Colonialism in their Practices as Part of Apology to Ex-Councillor Jessica McCallum-Miller

Over a year after a human rights complaint was filed against them by an ex-councillor, the City of Terrace is issuing an apology.

In 2021 Jessica McCallum-Miller, who had become the City’s first Indigenous councillor in 2018, resigned amid claims of systemic racism.

She would file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal last year, citing racial jokes and harmful words targeted at First Nations.

Now, following respectful conversations with McCallum-Miller, the City has issued an apology, alongside a commitment to do better.

In a joint statement, both parties acknowledged that McCallum-Miller was harmed by systemic racism stemming from the colonial institution.

They say that municipal processes and policies damaged her sense of dignity and equality, ultimately leading to her departure.

Council has now committed to ending systemic racism in its practices, and to remedy the harms dealt by their colonial processes.

As part of the commitment, they will look to re-initiate community-to-community forums with the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations.