Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb (File Photo. Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters, CFJC Today

Residential schools

Tsilhqot’in Nation calls for Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb’s resignation over social media post

Nov 1, 2021 | 4:37 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The Tsilhqot’in Nation is calling for Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb’s resignation after Cobb shared a social media post espousing the “other side” of Canada’s residential school system.

Cobb shared an editorial to Facebook that spoke glowingly about the author’s opinion of the system that forcibly took Indigenous children from their homes and home communities, stripping their linguistic and cultural identities.

After being called out, Cobb deleted the post.

On Saturday (Oct. 30), Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars called on the City to clarify its stance on the residential school system in light of Cobb’s post.

Cobb and Council have announced their intentions to discuss the matter at their regular council meeting on Tuesday, November 2.

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Monday, Tsilhqot’in National Government Tribal Chairman Joe Alphonse said this is not the first time Cobb has expressed a sympathetic view toward the residential school system.

Alphonse says Cobb “continues to deny and dismiss the trauma experienced” despite the discovery of unmarked graves near the former Kamloops residential school, and the active investigations taking place in and around Williams Lake.

“This type of mentality has to end. It is an embarrassment to the City and the region,” said Alphonse in a news release. “Mayor Cobb should finally make a positive contribution to reconciliation and resign as Mayor, immediately, and make room for the real leadership this region urgently needs.

“If Mayor Cobb does not resign, then Williams Lake Council should hold him accountable and fire him.”

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For more information:

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Support Resources:

• KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
• Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-866-403-3123
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society Toll-Free Line: 1-800-721-0066
• 24hr National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419