Native leader sues teacher over racist comments on Facebook


Derek Nepinak. Photo from Twitter

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has filed a statement of claim against a suspended public school teacher who posted racist and disparaging comments about Native people on Facebook.

Nepinak is accusing Brad Badiuk, a technology teacher at Kelvin High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, of defaming Native people. He also said the comments hurt his reputation -- Badiuk singled out the Native leader on a page that has since been removed from the social networking site.

"Get to work, tear the treaties and shut the FK up already. My ancestor migrated here early 1900's they didn't do anything. Why am I on the hook for their cultural support?" Badiuk wrote on his page.

Referring to Nepinak, Badiuk wrote: "He wears feathers on his head and calls himself the Grand Chief. You see he had an idea. Indians have no money. You have money. So he could get his hands on your money, that would solve the problem of indians without money."

Badiuk was suspended with pay after the comments came to light. He is under investigation and hasn't made any public statements about the controiversy.

Get the Story:
Manitoba Grand Chief Derek Nepinak sues teacher over racist Facebook posts (CP 1/9)
Brad Badiuk, Winnipeg teacher, on leave after controversial Facebook posts on aboriginals (CBC 11/110

Join the Conversation