Saulteaux man recounts racism he faced during 2009 Saskatoon city council election – CBC
Derek Rope says his lawn signs were vandalized and campaigners faced hurtful comments while doorknocking
Jul 17, 2020
Derek Rope says he was teaching either Ender’s Game or Romeo and Juliet to his Grade 10 classroom when a student said something he has not forgotten to this day.
“My grandma said she’s not going to vote for you, Mr. Rope, because you’re an Indian,” Rope recalls the student saying.
It was the fall of 2009. Rope, a Saulteaux man from Pasqua First Nation, was interning at a Saskatoon school. He was also deep into his bid to win the Ward 3 seat on city council.
“It was disheartening,” Rope said of the remark, even though he believed the student was trying to bring it up “in a more diplomatic way.”
“I know we’re not going to be innocent forever, but it’s kind of like, wow, those are some pretty deep-seated thoughts,” he said.
