The facts date back to December 20, 2019. Maxwell Johnson, then 56 years old and a Bank of Montreal (BMO) customer since 2014, went to the Burrard Street branch in Vancouver to open an account for his granddaughter. 12 year old girl.
He then presented their federally issued Indian status cards, his birth certificate and the teenager’s medical card.
A suspicious bank employee suspects the fraudulent cards and calls 911. Maxwell Johnson and his 12-year-old granddaughter were handcuffed and put in a Vancouver Police Department car.
The grandfather and daughter filed a human rights complaint against the Bank of Montreal and the Vancouver Police Department in November 2020.
” I don’t think it’s fair that we have to prove who we are by carrying a status card [d’Indien selon la Loi sur les Indiens]. We are the only race that has a status card to prove that we are First Nations. Our people have lived on the coast for over 14,000 years, far longer than the pyramids. So I want people to learn more about First Nations issues and our culture. »
The two years of litigation with the BMO have been long and I’m really happy that we’re coming to a conclusion. These two years have been very difficult, not only for me, but also for my granddaughter and my son.
Mr. Johnson said.
According to a statement, the settlement agreement includes a payment of a sum of money by the BMO to Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter, a private apology ceremony at Maxwell Johnson’s home in the Bella Bella community, and a commitment by the bank to update its Indian Status card processing policies .
The bank is also committed to establishing Aboriginal cultural awareness and training policies for its employees.
Maxwell Johnson said he closed his account with the bank, but he had no hard feelings: it’s not in our culture to hold things back
did he declare.
An artist by profession, Maxwell Johnson has also donated a work to the BMO, which will be on display at the Burrard Street branch, where the events took place. Copies of the artwork will also be displayed at branches in Nanaimo, Campbell River, Prince Rupert and Victoria.
On the other hand, the bank is committed to displaying a plaque of recognition of traditional territory in its branches located in traditional Aboriginal territory and to do its best to do the same in all its branches in Canada.
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Marilyn Slett, the elected chief of the Heiltsuk First Nation, praised the courage of the grandfather and his granddaughter, who through their fight shed light on the perennial bias that financial institutions have towards Indigenous peoples
.
This has really been brought to the attention of the general public and we hope this is the first step towards changes within financial institutions
said Marilyn Slett.
It is not only difficult for my family, but also for our culture. I mean, our people. They felt what I was going through, not just me, but also my son and my granddaughter. So I just hope no one else has to go through this with big companies like this
said Maxwell Johnson.
In a statement, the BMO said she was happy to have reached a settlement with Mr Johnson and his granddaughter
. This is an important step for BMO towards reconciliation and we hope the Johnsons get the outcome they deserve and can move on.
continues the bank.
Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter’s complaint in the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal against the Vancouver Police Department is still pending.
Last April, the two police officers who handcuffed Mr Johnson and his granddaughter were suspended for using excessive force and undertaking an arrest without reasonable and probable cause, following a disciplinary investigation .
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca