Courtesy: CJDC-TV News

By Randi-Marie Adams

Pouce Coupe mayor in hot water regarding posts on her social media page

Feb 25, 2021 | 4:22 PM

Pouce Coupe – Pouce Coupe’s Mayor came under fire this week, due to a social media post she made. Now, there are reports the Mayor is being asked to step down despite her claims the post was taken out of context.

Chaos erupts after a February 17th social media post on Mayor Lorraine Mechetti, which reads:

“Don’t want Pipelines? [sic] They want to protect our land. Yeah ok” on her Facebook page, along with photos of homes with garbage on the front lawns. Which has since gone viral, Mayor Michetti

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” I never intended it to be racist, I intended it as a pro-pipeline.” “That was shared to me, and I just turned around and shared it”

The Mayor, since apologizing on social media, and other platforms and says:

” I never made an excuse, I am taking it, I did it, what else am I to do? I am reaching out to the bands I am reaching out to everyone to try and help me learn the culture. I will take any culture courses that there is out there.”

Since that post, several leaders from surrounding communities issued statements, condemning Michetti’s comment.

Richard Mineault, who is a Peace Region local and advocate of the persons of the Cree nation says:

” This is an outright expression of cultural indifference, that’s the way I am putting it. Is it a racial attack? I think so ”

Mineault was hired by Michetti for cultural sensitivity training, but according to him, as more information came to light, regarding her social media posts, he is now advocating for her removal and resignation as Mayor.

” The path forward to resolving this issue begins with her resignation.” The Mayor responding with ” I am not resigning”

The Pouce Coupe village council held an emergency special meeting Saturday and voted unanimously to censure Michetti and limit her powers. However, according to Mineault her refusal to resign won’t fly.

“I am an advocate now for education and awareness and bring to light the responsibility of those in authority. To accept that this cannot be, this can not be allowed in the public.”

As of today, Michetti is still sitting as Mayor with no plan to resign, she tells CKPG she is now receiving threats with one reading in

” You are clearly a piece of *of expletive* [sic] How DARE you try to justify the things you have posted”. and ends with “Congratulations, you are my new pet project.”

” Why resign, take what I did wrong and try and change things, change it, change and show people that I am not racist.” `Mayor Michetti

” those in political offices should be held to the highest standard” –

Michetti’s term isn’t up until 2022, she intends to stay in office and continue the work she has been doing. As of February 25th, Pouce Coupe Councilor Ken Drover has since resigned.