CANADA
The Tyee
By Bob Mackin
TheTyee.ca
The Assembly of First Nations wants a “thorough and impartial investigation” into allegations former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong abused aboriginal students more than 45 years ago.
Delegates to the assembly’s annual general meeting this week supported a resolution calling for an investigation by the RCMP and the federal government.
The resolution also called on the federal government to meet “the affected members of Lake Babine Band Council, Burns Lake Band Council, and any other affected former students to hear their concerns about the conduct of investigations and to discuss with them acceptable remedies.”
The resolution was moved by Lake Babine Chief Wilf Adam.
The abuse allegations were raised in a Georgia Straight article by Laura Robinson in September 2012. Furlong denied the accusations and attacked Robinson’s reporting practices and credibility.
Furlong claimed vindication last September when B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Wedge ruled that Furlong’s statements were covered by the defence of qualified privilege.
But Cathy Woodgate, one of the former students alleging abuse, says their charges have never been properly investigated.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.