City apologizes to former B.C. councillor for the systemic racism that led to her resignation

A small city in B.C.'s northwesthas apologized for the effects of systemic racism on former city councillorHlox-Majagalee, whose English name is Jessica McCallum-Miller.

She resigned from her position on Terrace city council in 2021, saying that racism and sexism were negativelyaffecting her ability to work for her constituents and jeopardizing her mental health and well-being.

A joint statement, signed by the City of Terrace, current mayor Sean Bujtas, andHlox-Majagalee, acknowledges the harm toHlox-Majagalee's "sense of dignity and equality as an Indigenous woman" but maintains that the City "never intended to do or say things that would have a negative impact" on her.

"She was impacted by systemic racism and by municipal processes and policies in a way that caused harm to her sense of dignity and equality as an Indigenous woman, which forced her to resign from City Council," the city said in its statement.

Hlox-Majagaleewas elected in 2018, the city's youngest councillor at 25. After her resignation, she said that her young age, along with her Gitxsan, Nisga'a, and Tsimshian heritage, made her feel alone and isolated when raising issues relating to women and Indigenous peoples.

"One of the unavoidable consequences of colonialism is that harm can be caused even when no person or institution intended to cause harm," reads the joint statement.

"Systemic racism can operate in colonial institutions without anyone being aware of it."

CBC News contactedHlox-Majagaleefor comment but was referred to her legal counsel, barbara findlay, who uses lowercase letters when spelling her name.

Findlay confirms that the human rights complaint filed byHlox-Majagaleewas concluded with a mediation agreement at the end of July.

"It has always been my clients' concern to create change in the processes and the operations of the City of Terrace, whichsit on uncededterritories of the Kitselas and Kitsumkalumpeoplesand to improve relations," saidfindlay.

"The City has agreed to move forward on that path, and my client will be watching carefully to make sure relationships ... actually improve."

The joint statement reads, "The parties are committed to moving forward together in mutual respect and in the spirit of reconciliation."

In the same year asHlox-Majagalee's resignation, MPs Jody Wilson-Raybould and Mumilaaq Qaqqaq both stepped back frompublic office, citing dysfunctional political systems that are hostile to Indigenous peoples and women.

Hlox-Majagaleeis now an artist in a number of mediums, including jewelry and metalwork, graphic design, and painting. Her website says she studied Fine Arts at the Freda DiesingSchool of North West Coast Art.