Heiltsuk First Nation member Maxwell Johnson has reached an agreement with the Bank of Montreal over a human rights complaint filed against the bank in 2020. He made the announcement outside a BMO branch in Vancouver on Thursday.
The facts began on 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 12 year old grandson.
He then showed their federally issued Indian status card, his birth certificate and the teenager’s medical card.
A suspicious bank employee suspected the cards were fraudulent and called 911. Maxwell Johnson and his 12-year-old grandson were handcuffed and placed in a Vancouver Police Department vehicle.
The grandfather and grandson 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 population with a status card to prove that we are First Nations. Our people have lived on the coast for over 14,000 years, longer than the pyramids. So I want people to learn more about First Nations issues and our culture. “
The two people litigated in BMO it’s been a long time 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 grandson and my son.said Mr. Johnson.
According to a statement, the settlement agreement includes the payment of a monetary amount of BMO to Maxwell Johnson and his grandson, a private apology ceremony at Maxwell Johnson’s home in the Bella Bella community, and a bank commitment to update its credit card processing policies. Indian.
The bank is also committed to establishing awareness of Aboriginal culture and training policies for its employees.
Maxwell Johnson said he closed his bank account, but he had no hard feelings. There is nothing in our culture to stop thingsdid he declare.
Maxwell Johnson, who is an actor, also donated a work to BMO, to be displayed 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 the traditional territory on its branches located in the traditional Aboriginal territory and will do everything possible to do so at all its branches in Canada.
Marilyn Slett, the elected leader of the Heiltsuk First Nation, praised the courage of the grandfather and her grandson, who in their fight shed light on the long -term bias that financial institutions have towards Indigenous peoples.
It has really been brought to the attention of the general public and we hope that this is the first step towards changes within financial institutions.said Marilyn Slett.
Not only is it difficult for my family, it is also difficult for our culture. I mean, our people. They felt what I was going through, not only me, but also my son and grandson. That’s why I hope no one else goes through this with big companies like thissaid Maxwell Johnson.
In a statement, the BMO he said he was happy reached a settlement with Mr Johnson and his grandson. BMO towards reconciliation and we hope the Johnsons get the outcome they deserve and can move on.the bank continued.
The complaint of Maxwell Johnson and his grandson is still pending with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal against the Vancouver Police Department.
Last April, the two police officers who handcuffed Mr Johnson and his grandson were suspended for using excessive force and making an arrest without just and probable cause, following a disciplinary investigation.
Source: Radio-Canada
