Protesters gathered at the University of Calgary on Tuesday, calling for the university to strip Tom Flanagan of his professor emeritus title following a campus event questioning whether Canada’s residential school system constituted genocide. Protest organizer Madison Kelly-Reinhart says participants also want Flanagan banned from campus and additional university programs supporting Indigenous students and residential school survivors. “We want to advocate for Indigenous students, survivors, and their safety on campus because we feel that the University of Calgary failed in doing so,” Kelly-Reinhart said. The protest follows a Sept. 29 event in the science theatres atrium, one day before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Canadian Students for Free Speech organized the discussion, featuring Flanagan and Rebel News reporter Drea Humphrey. During the debate, water was poured over Flanagan’s head. Police took the person responsible for the stunt into custody, but no charges were laid. “I think it’s important, in my opinion, that the university support its free speech policy and has an admirable policy posted online, and it guarantees freedom of expression,” said Flanagan. “The policy is great, but, it doesn’t mean much if it’s not enforced. And I think you have to, force people who deliberately violate the policy.” Organizers of the Sept. 29 event defended the discussion. William Diaz-Berthiaume, national campus coordinator for Canadian Students for Free Speech, said the group wanted people with differing views to speak directly with one another. Flanagan previously told CTV News he did not organize the event or choose its date, saying his intention was to engage students in discussion about residential schools and the use of the term “genocide.” “There’s a legitimate academic debate about whether Indian residential schools constitute a genocide. There are scholars who have said, yes, there’s scholars who have said no,” said Flanagan. “For the university to jump in and start, taking a position, I think is wrong. I’m disappointed that that’s what the university has done thus far.” The Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded that the residential school system sought to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages and assimilate Indigenous peoples, characterizing that intent as cultural genocide. Kelly-Reinhart said the timing of the event added to students’ anger. She welcomed efforts by some university departments to share resources and helplines but said she wants more action from university leadership. “We’re also hoping to have more programs set up by the school for Indigenous survivors, in a way that we can reconcile and continue our healing journey as a generation,” she said. Tsuut’ina Nation Minor Chief Kendall Jacobs, was one of the people who attended Tuesday protest. The university previously told CTV News the event was organized by an external party and that it did not endorse the views expressed. It said its freedom of expression rules require it to allow lawful expression on campus, including ideas considered offensive or objectionable. The university provided a statement on Tuesday: “Today a peaceful rally took place on campus. Over the past week, several events have been held exercising free speech and free expression,” the statement read. “The university does not take a position on the issues expressed, and must permit lawful assembly and expression; irrespective of whether the topics are controversial or uncomfortable. This is the role of a public university. “We encourage all members of our community to engage in civil discourse. We have policies to support this, and in light of the events of the past week, we’re also looking at those policies to see how we can best move forward in a good way, keeping the safety and well-being of our campus community at the forefront.” Vice-provost of student and campus experience Verity Turpin acknowledged the harm students described. “We understand that the event was deeply harmful and hurtful,” Turpin said. She said the university would look at its policies and procedures as it considered how to move forward. “From my heart, the University of Calgary stands firmly with our Indigenous students and our Indigenous community members,” she said. With files from CTV’s Mark Villani
