Marc Serré has responded to the recent allegations against him claiming that he falsified his Indigenous ancestry.
“I will firmly reiterate that I’m proud of my Indigenous heritage and I am a rightful member of the Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation community which is part of the Algonquins of Ontario,” Serré states. “The Algonquins of Ontario are currently engaged in treaty negotiations with Canada and the Province of Ontario.
“I’m disappointed that anyone would create an environment that is counterproductive to the hard work that we have undertaken with our Indigenous partners. We will continue to work towards a society that does not segregate and divide but rather encourages everyone to celebrate their ancestry.”
The allegations stem from Darryl Leroux who is an associate professor at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Leroux, recently published a book called “Distorted Descent: White Claims to Indigenous Identity”, says that his claim, as well as three others, come from the largely discredited idea that having one Indigenous ancestor somewhere in the past means you have an Indigenous identity.
The other three are George Canyon, a Conservative candidate for Central Nova in Nova Scotia; and Green Party candidates Amanda Kistindey, running in the Ontario riding of Don Valley West, and Jocelyn Rioux, who is running in the Quebec riding of Rimouski-Neigette-Témiscouata-Les Basques.
Clifford Bastien Jr. who is the chief of Chief of Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation released this statement on the issue “I, Clifford Bastien Jr., elected Chief and Algonquin Negotiation Representative of the Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation affirm that Marc Serré is a current member and on the Algonquins of Ontario Voter’s list as part of our Treaty negotiations. The Algonquin’s of Ontario are currently engaged in drafting a final Beneficiary Criteria that would ensure that beneficiaries of the Treaty will be proper rights holders in the Settlement Area.”
Serré is seeking re-election as the Liberal candidate for the Nickel Belt-Greater Sudbury riding. The other candidates are Aino Laamanen (Conservative), Mikko Paavola (PPC), Stef Paquette (NDP), and Casey Lalonde (Green Party).