Justice and Public Safety
November 26, 2014
The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission:
Settlement of Three Human Rights Complaints
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation, Glenn Corporation Ltd. and the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission are pleased to announce the settlement of three human rights complaints relating to the former Hamilton Hotel. The complaints stem from an incident in July 2007 in which Innu attending the Hamilton Hotel for a training session were made unwelcome as Innu persons and instructed to leave the premises by the manager.
The Hamilton Hotel was owned by Glenn Corporation at the time and is no longer operational. Glenn Noseworthy, who was not personally involved in the incident, took responsibility for the matter as the then owner of the facility.
“What happened to the Innu that day was simply unacceptable,” Mr. Noseworthy stated. “Innu people should be welcomed in all businesses here in Labrador.”
Following the incident, three men from Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation – John Baptiste Abraham, Joseph Mark, and Edmund Benuen – filed discrimination complaints on the basis of race, colour and ethnic origin at the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador. Last year, the Human Rights Commission issued an investigation report and subsequently referred the complaints to a board of inquiry.
Recently, the parties, with input from the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and the commission, were ultimately able to resolve the complaints to the satisfaction of all involved without attending before that board of inquiry. Because the complaints have been settled, no further intervention by the Human Rights Commission will occur.
The settlement includes compensation to the three complainants, as well as a donation to support the construction of a playground in Sheshatshiu. It also includes an apology and this joint statement.
“We are pleased that the parties in this case were able to work together to reach a resolution,” said Carey Majid, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission. “In particular, the release of this joint statement does a lot to promote an understanding of human rights issues in the province”.
“It’s good to see a positive result come from such a negative incident,” said Chief Andrew Penashue. “A lot of our members have experienced racism. When it happens, it doesn’t just affect the individual, it’s really an attack against all of us as Innu people. That’s why Sheshatshiu Council supported this case from day one, to say loud and clear that discrimination has got to stop. The next generation needs to have a better experience, and I think the playground is a great way to remember that.”
Glenn Noseworthy echoed these sentiments, “I have worked cooperatively with the Sheshatshiu Innu Band Council for over 30 years, and I am pleased that we were able to successfully resolve this issue between us. I’m proud to be making amends for what happened, and especially to be doing that by making this joint statement and supporting the Sheshatshiu playground. I would like to see the next generation of Innu have positive experiences both in the community and in town, and I look forward to pursuing many future endeavours together.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission has a legal obligation to assist parties in resolving complaints. To see this formal statement on the commission’s website, please visit: //www.justice.gov.nl.ca/hrc/news/pdf/JointStatement-Nov26.pdf 
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Media contacts:
| Carey Majid, LLB Executive Director 709-729-2709 1-800-563-5808 careymajid@gov.nl.ca Twitter: @nlhumanrights |
Chief Andrew Penashue Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation c/o Greg Pastitshi, Band Manager 709-896-1403 |
| Glenn Noseworthy Glenn Corporation Ltd. 709-896-5155 |
2014 11 26 9:55 a.m.