Métis students Deborah Owczar and Stephanie Jebb are among those seeking change after the Government of Manitoba’s accessibility minister complained about an ASL interpreter at a recent graduation gala. MB hosted the first Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Celebration of Indigenous Women Graduates in June to honour Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse graduates from across the province. Owczar—who is deaf—reportedly worked with Red River College Polytechnic to organize an ASL interpretation service for the event after being unable to get a response from the provincial government. During the ceremony, MB Minister Nahanni Fontaine told the ASL interpreter to leave the stage; in later comments in front of reporters and cameras, Fontaine complained about the interpreter to her press secretary. Fontaine initially issued a public apology and sent private apologies to those affected, but Owczar told APTN News that the emailed apology fell short, commenting: “What I want is learning.” Since that time, CBC reports that Fontaine and her team have committed to actions such as completing Deaf and Deaf culture training, improving the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, and meeting with Owczar and Jebb at the end of the month.
