Canadian poet George Elliott Clarke cancels Regina lecture after controversy over convicted killer's poetry

A renowned Canadian poet, who had worked with the man convicted of killing an Indigenous woman 25 years ago, hascancelled his controversial presentation at an upcoming University of Regina event.

George Elliott Clarke said earlier this week that he wasn'trulingout reading the work of Steven Kummerfield, who was convicted of manslaughter in the beating death of Pamela George in 1995.

Clarkehadpreviously edited poetry byKummerfield, whochanged his name to Stephen Brown. Clarke said he learned about Kummerfield's violent past four months ago.

On Thursday, amidcalls to cancel the event,Clarke apologized to members of George's family, who opposed the lecture.He said he would not read any of Kummerfield's poetry at the event. On Friday, he cancelled the lecturealtogether.

"I never intended to cause such anguish for the family of Pamela George and the Indigenous community, and for that I am truly sorry," said Clarke in a written statement. The university has also released a statement, which was shared on Twitter by university president Vianne Timmons.

It said the university recognizedits decision to bring Clarke to the event was "not supported by all communities and unfortunately brought back painful memories for many in relation to the 1995 killing of Pamela George."

The university said it's in the process of reaching out to Indigenous leaders, representatives, elders and groups to hear people's concerns and "perhaps begin a healing process."

Clarke isan English professor at the University of Toronto and a former parliamentary poet laureate. He said in his statement Friday he withdrew from the presentation with "great sadness."

"I am a mixed Black and Indigenous writer and scholar, and my advocacy for justice for Indigenous Peoples and People of Colour in Canada must never be in doubt," said Clarke'sstatement, which was emailed to CBC News by his literary agent.

"My purpose in my talk was to discuss the role of poets in dealing with social issues, but that interest has been lost in the current controversy."

He previously told CBCNews he cares passionately about violence against Indigenous women and that he is an ally.

George's daughter, Chelsey George, 33,spoke to CBC Newson Thursdaybefore Clarke confirmed he would not be readingKummerfield's poetry at the event,titled"Truth and Reconciliation" Versus "the Murdered and Missing": Examining Indigenous Experiences of (In)Justice in Four Saskatchewan Poets.

Chelsey said it's not fair Kummerfieldgets to live a normal life, and even become a publishedpoet, while her mother's life was cut short.

"You don't know whether he changed or not," said Chelsey George."It will never change the perspective from the families, from any of us.

"You did what you did, and you are who you are. You'll always be that person."

Pamela, 28, was killed in 1995 byKummerfield and Alex Ternowetsky, wholured her outside Regina, beat her to death and then bragged about it. The two were initially charged with first-degree murderbut were convicted of manslaughter and both sentenced to 6 years in prison.

Kummerfield wasreleased on parole in 2000after servingthree years. He now lives in Mexico City.

In November, Clarke described Kummerfield's crime as unpardonable in a conversation with a university publication, but added that his friendhas paid his debt to society.

Before releasing his statementThursday, Clarke told CBC News that Kummerfield couldbe seen as both a convicted killer and an appreciated artist.

"I apologize unreservedly to all who were offended by my statement as reported by CBC, particularly to the family of Pamela George," hisstatement said.

"She and her family are on my mind and in my heart as I ponder the grievous harm inflicted upon her and them."

As poet laureate for Canada's Parliament, Clarkefeatured twoof Kummerfield's pieces as Poem of the Month on the government'swebsite.

'Acomplete failure': FSIN

Earlier Thursday, theFederation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations calledon the university to cancel Clarke's talk, because of his association with Kummerfield.

"I am disgusted, disheartened and hurt that university officials would consider promoting even indirectly this [killer's] work or even to allow the potential of it to be read aloud publicly within the community that still mourns her death," Heather Bear, vice-chief of the Saskatchewan Indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement emailed to CBCNews prior to Clarke's statement.

Federation Chief Bobby Cameron said hosting Clarke is insensitive.

"This is a complete failure on behalf of the university and its board. Where is their so-called commitment to reconciliation? Where is their compassion for the children and family of Pamela George?"

Idle No More organizers have also started a petition urging the university to cancel the event, which quickly gained hundreds of signatures.

Richard Kleer, dean of the U of R's faculty of arts, said the institution seeks to encourage "open, civil and robust discussion on controversial issues," and that may include hosting people who have controversial ideas or associate with controversial individuals.

"The faculty will stand by the invitation and looks forward to hearing Clarke's strong message against violence and racism."

Randy Lundy, an Indigenous poet and former university professor, said given Clarke's long-standing relationship with Kummerfield, inviting him to Regina to discuss truth and reconciliation, or missing and murdered Indigenous people,is a "revictimization of the community here."

Lundy saidClarke's Indigenous background doesn't excuse his "indefensible" position on Kummerfield.

"As an Indigenous man, I would not presume to speak on behalf of Indigenous women, and I don't think that any of us get a free pass when it comes to difficult issues like this."

Lundy said he understands academic freedom and freedom of speech, but believes Clarke should be taking the concerns of the community more seriously.

In his Thursday statement, Clarke said: "I do hear the concerns of Indigenous peoples around my lecture and I can reassure all that the purpose of my talk is to look at how poets can be, should be, more responsible and responsive to grave social issues.

"I understand well the trauma of racist violence against Indigenous people and people of colour, and have dedicated much of my writing life to precisely this trauma," he said.

"I deplore all efforts to suggest that I can be in any way complicit with violence against Indigenous people. I have always condemned it; I condemn it now."

'He has responsibilities'

Krista Shore saidshe washurt and disappointed when she read Clarke's earlier response to the community's concern. She was 12 when her mother, Barbara Ann Shore, was murderedin 1996.

Clarke's first response to the concerns, she said, seemed "combative towards Indigenous people."

"He may be part Indigenous and have that type of ancestry, but he has responsibilities and a role to play, too," said Shore, who also spoke to CBCNews before Clarke issued his statement.

She said visitors like Clarke should consult locals on the land, history and political events before coming to speak. Shore addedshe is willing to talk to Clarke about respectful protocols and procedures.

Clarke's earlier refusal to say whether or not he would read poetry by Kummerfield put addedstress on the mental health of George's family and families like hers, said Shore.

"Why play mind games with people? We're trying to heal here in Treaty 4 territory and I don't think it's necessary that webring a killer's name into light," she said.

"He got off very easy, and that is the sad thing about it all. And a lot of people are still suffering."

Chastity Delorme, an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG),said other work should be highlighted instead.

"We have many, many Indigenous women and Indigenous poets here in Saskatchewan that can be highlighted, like our families of MMIW who use this art therapy as a part of healing in this trauma," said Delorme.

"Their voices definitely need to be heard, and that is the priority."