Robert-Falcon Ouellette faces racism during mayoral campaign

Winnipeg mayoral candidateRobert-FalconOuelletteis exposing the racism he's faced so far in his campaign.

Ouellette, 37,spoke entirely in French at the Francophone Chamber of Commerce mayoral debate in St. Boniface last week.

Not long afterward, abusive comments were posted online on Ouellette's Facebook page, first about his decision to speak French, then about his aboriginal heritage. He also received hateful emails.

The comments ranged from "youare lower-class" to angryobscenities about Indians and French people.

"Go back to drinking.Thats where Indians belong," said one.

Ouellette, the programdirector for theAboriginal Focus Programs at the University of Manitoba, said that instead of turning the other cheek, he's talking about it to expose what's out there.

"I simply can't sit back and say this is acceptable. We have to be talking about this, he said.

If there's one person saying it, there's 1,000 people thinking it."

Oulette said this isnt the first time hes experienced racism.

"You know, I have my PhD, two master's degrees and a bachelor's degree. I was in the army for 18 years, and no matter, it seems, what I do, for some people it's never enough," he said.

"What courses through my veins will never be enough for some people."

Other candidates, such as Winnipeg Coun. Dan Vandal, said they've also experienced racism on the campaign trail.

Theres an ignorant and uneducated part of the population that is small who are going to engage in this sort of thing, said Vandal, who isMtis.

Comments must be challenged

Ouellette saidhe decided to speak French at the debate because he could, and to honour the fact he was in St. Boniface.

Todemonstrate respect, he said, one should be using the language of the group hosting you, if you have the capacity.

Winnipeggersfrom across our city take pride in our countrys vibrant French culture,"Ouellettesaid.

"French is not only the founding language of our province, but also one of our two national languages, spoken by 13 per centof the population in Winnipeg and central to our identity as a creative, diverse and successful society."

The reaction to the mayoral debates "demonstrates that we still have ways to go to creating a completely inclusive and respectful society," Ouellette added, saying the commentsrepresent a very small vocal minority that must be challenged every day.