Brian Bowman and Winnipeg Canada

Winnipeg Canada: The panel, headlined by Maclean magazine writer Nancy Macdonald who wrote the January cover article which labelled Winnipeg as Canada most racist city and focused on its fractured relationship with indigenous people, gathered to discuss "race, community and possibilities" in a free public forum which was attended by about 100 people at the U of W campus, according to Winnipeg Free Press. It was announced that Mayor Brian Bowman, expected to speak and offer greetings, "was not able to be here." Moderated by Kevin Lamoureux, U of W instructor in the Faculty of Education ACCESS program, the panel also included U of W associate vice-president of indigenous affairs Wab Kinew - who is the chairman of the Mayor Indigenous Advisory Committee - and U of W education instructor Leah Gazan who is president of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. Photo Store The mayor was a no-show and the atmosphere was convivial as six panelists delivered a shared message Monday at the University of Winnipeg Forum on Racism. Also on the panel were Dr.. Mary Jane Logan McCallum, a U of W assistant history professor, David Atem, a U of W academic advisor and immigrant access advisor and U of W Students’ Union president Rorie McLeod Arnould. Kinew said education is the next step. "When we’re talking about racism toward indigenous people, we have to learn about indigenous culture and language," Kinew said. "It begins with the cultures and the languages because, to me, those are the positions of strength. The panelists shared the message that acknowledging racism against indigenous people is the first step in changing attitudes. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.