Nancy Macdonald

: The panel, headlined by Maclean magazine writer Nancy Macdonald, who wrote the January article that 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 attended by about 100 people in a lecture hall on the U of W campus, according to Winnipeg Free Press. It was announced Mayor Brian Bowman, expected to speak and offer greetings, "was not able to be here." Moderated by Kevin Lamoureux, a U of W instructor in the faculty of education ACCESS program, the panel also included U of W association vice-president 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 panellists delivered a shared message Monday at the University of Winnipeg Forum on Racism. Also on the panel were Mary Jane Logan McCallum, a U of W assistant history professor, David Atem, a U of W academic adviser and immigrant access adviser, and U of W Students' Union president Rorie McLeod Arnould. Kinew said when talking about racism toward indigenous people, education is the best starting point. "It begins with the cultures and the languages because, to me, those are the positions of strength. The panellists shared the message acknowledging racism against indigenous people is the first step in changing attitudes. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.