Manitoba's Accessibility Minister Nahanni Fontaine is facing severe criticism from the Deaf community, particularly from Métis graduate Deborah Owczar, for comments she made about an ASL interpreter sharing the stage at an Indigenous women's graduation event. Fontaine was heard on a hot mic expressing frustration and using offensive language about the interpreter, who was subsequently removed from the stage, denying Owczar and her daughter full access to the event.
Accessibility minister's comments about ASL interpreter a 'knife right in the back' for deaf graduate
AccessibilityDeaf and hard of hearingDisability rightsManitobaWinnipegAPTN NewsGovernment of ManitobaNdinaweRed River College PolytechnicDeborah OwczarMinister Nahanni FontaineStephanie JebbGraduationLanguageSign language
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Manitoba's Accessibility Minister Nahanni Fontaine is facing severe criticism from the Deaf community, particularly from Métis graduate Deborah Owczar, for comments she made about an ASL interpreter sharing the stage at an Indigenous women's graduation event. Fontaine was heard on a hot mic expressing frustration and using offensive language about the interpreter, who was subsequently removed from the stage, denying Owczar and her daughter full access to the event.
Trending- 1 Thursday (current week): First annual Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag Celebration of Indigenous Women Graduates held; Fontaine made comments
- 2 Friday (current week): Fontaine issued first apology
- 3 Sunday (current week): Deborah Owczar interviewed by CBC News
- 4 Sunday afternoon (current week): Fontaine posted second apology on Instagram
- 5 2026: Stephanie Jebb plans to celebrate earning bachelor's degree from University of Winnipeg
- Outrage and hurt within the Deaf community
- Damage to the reputation of the Accessibility Minister
- Calls for education and greater understanding of accessibility needs
- Potential impact on future attendance at such events by affected individuals
What: Manitoba Accessibility Minister Nahanni Fontaine made offensive comments about an ASL interpreter at an Indigenous women's graduation event, captured on a hot mic; Fontaine expressed frustration and used foul language about the interpreter, leading to the interpreter's removal from the stage for subsequent speeches; Deborah Owczar, a deaf Métis graduate, and her deaf daughter Stephanie Jebb, felt their access was denied and their accomplishment tainted, stating that disrespecting the interpreter disrespects the Deaf community; Fontaine issued an apology, citing 'poor planning' and apologizing to the Deaf community and the interpreter; Owczar and Jebb found the apology insufficient and called for Fontaine to learn more about the Deaf community and ASL interpretation.
When: Thursday (graduation event); Sunday (Owczar's interview); Friday (Fontaine's first apology); Sunday afternoon (Fontaine's second apology).
Where: Downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Why: Fontaine's comments and the interpreter's removal denied full accessibility to deaf attendees; The incident highlights a lack of understanding and respect for ASL interpretation and the Deaf community's needs; Owczar and Jebb emphasize the importance of seeing both speaker and interpreter for full comprehension.
How: Fontaine's comments were captured on a hot mic by APTN news; The interpreter was removed from the stage after Fontaine's speech; Owczar and Jebb shared their experience and concerns through an ASL interpreter with CBC News; Fontaine issued apologies via statement and Instagram.