WEBVTT

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Hello! This is DeafDots,
18 July 2025.

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Bringing alerts & news reports
at intervals for all Deaf Canadians.

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Don’t forget to subscribe,
like, and follow

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DeafDots to get new video updates!

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In the audience at Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag 
was a Deaf Métis woman with her daughter. 

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Both used an ASL interpreter 
so they could observe. 

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Minister Fontaine made some comments that the 
interpreter was a distraction and asked her to leave.

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Actually she did use some angry 
words about the interpreter.

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Later she did make a public apology but 
it was through spoken comments on radio. 

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That’s not okay.

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[DAWN]: On June 26, Deborah Owczar
a Deaf Metis woman and

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her deaf daughter attended
"Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag",

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an Indigenous-focused initiative that supports
and empowers Indigenous women.

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During this event which was
held in Winnipeg, Manitoba,

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accessibility and gender equality minister Nahanni
Fontaine made a speech to graduates.

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APTN News reported that following the speech,
Fontaine was recorded making comments

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how the ASL interpreter was distracting her
speech and should not have been on the stage.

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[DAWN]: Manitoba became the second province
in Canada to introduce accessibility

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legislation after Ontario. The Accessibility
for Manitobans Act (AMA)

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was enacted in December 2013. Fontaine
was sworn in as Minister responsible

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for Accessibility on October 18, 2023.

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A drum circle at an event honoring 
indigenous women who are graduating

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 from a variety of schools put on by NDP 
cabinet Minister Nahanni Fontaine. 


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[DAWN]: APTN’s news report got
considerable attention and

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was picked up by other hearing media
and shared in social media.

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Deaf people in Manitoba and across
Canada as well as hearing people

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were angered by Minister Fontaine’s
comments. Gary Malkowski,

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former NDP member of provincial
parliament, sent a letter

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to Minister Fontaine and Premier
Wab Kinew. Gary drew parallels

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with the globally condemned use
of an unqualified sign language

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interpreter during Nelson Mandela’s memorial
service in South Africa in 2013.

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[DAWN]: The Canada Deaf Grassroots
Movement (CDGM) sent letters

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to Minister Nahanni Fontaine and
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew regarding

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this controversy regarding the harmful
and hurtful comments

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about the ASL interpreter at a public event.

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Minister Fontaine is also
responsible for accessibility.

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She should be protecting our accessibility
and not relocating the interpreter.

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She should not be taking our access away.

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Minister Fontaine’s office released and
shared a text apology on the following day.

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Nahanni's apology that was sent out wasn't
genuine, it was in English, where is ASL?

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None. Her explanation that
the interpreter during her presentation

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was an issue and remarked that the interpreter's
moving hands was distracting.

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That was truly an insult to the
Deaf community. Oppressive. Audism.

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Yes she apologized but does
she really take accountability?

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No, I don't believe so. She was more
of apologizing, more of damage control.

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More of an apology to the general
public. I found issues with it,

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it wasn't a genuine apology to the
two people: the mother who graduated

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and got a certificate, and her daughter,
also Deaf who watched the ceremony.

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She needs to apologize to them,
it is their graduation and a celebration.

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DeafDots interviewed Deborah Owczar
how she and her daughter

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were impacted by this incident. What is
the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag event?

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Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag means “all women do well”.
This is in Anishinaabemowin language

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for students' graduation ceremony
to inspire women and pride

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for diversity and celebrate graduation
regardless of school or high school,

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college or university. I graduated
from RRC College for Youth Care.

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[DAWN]: Did you know the ASL
interpreter would be provided

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or how was the ASL interpreter arranged?

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For the ASL interpreter, I had asked to
please provide an ASL interpreter

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but got no response. I waited then
on June 20th I emailed again to

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inquire if they had already booked
an interpreter? Still no reply.

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I became nervous as it got closer
to the June 27 graduation day.

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I felt anxious and proceeded to contact
ECOE to ask if it was booked.

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They replied "No, they didn't book".
I became concerned and contacted RRCC

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if they could have their interpreter
come to my graduation day.

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They approved the interpreter
for the graduation. Then later

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the interpreter contacted them
that she was booked and explained

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the interpreting process and that she would
stand on the stage and everything,

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code of ethics, etc. A letter was completed
and sent. There was a voice phone

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conversation and everyone was made aware
that an interpreter would be there.

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Then on June 25 they emailed me to
say they had booked an interpreter.

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Actually I was the one who did.

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[DAWN]: How did you find out about
Nahanni Fontaine's comments and

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what was your reaction?
How did it make you feel?

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After the graduation, the issue
with booking an interpreter and

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removal of the interpreter off
the stage I couldn't react to,

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I was offended and felt hurt. I was
upset but decided regardless,

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it was my graduation day and
was exhilarated. Then the next day,

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a person contacted me to say sorry,
sorry. I asked what was wrong.

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Why apologize? That's when
I learned of the video.

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At first I was appalled and
became really upset.

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I had to regain my composure. Then
later I decided I had to express

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myself and share what was
said. I couldn't keep quiet.

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First the challenge
of booking the interpreter,

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then kicking interpreter
off the stage and thirdly it

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felt like a baseball third strike.

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People must know
about it and it has to stop.

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[DAWN]: Did you contact or hear from
Nahanni Fontaine about her comments?

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Did Nahanni Fontaine contact me, none.
But she did announce her apology and

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excuse that she was stressed
about the interpreter.

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I felt her apology wasn't genuine,
it wasn't from her heart, no.

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I wasn't satisfied.

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We asked Deaf residents in Manitoba what
they know about Minister Fontaine.

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Yes I have followed Nahanni's work.
She is a strong woman, outspoken,

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and promotes accessibility,
yes good... until now.

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It has turned things upside down.
What happened, I wondered?

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Obviously she is strong at speaking... among
disabled, LGBTQ, BIPOC, and minorities.

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Speaking... but not signing. The government
needs to learn the requirements and

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needs, and collaborate.
One thing that struck me...

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collaboration usually
doesn't make mistakes.

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Usually they step up and
take responsibility right away.

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But she denies it and blames
the interpreter for moving hands.

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She is the minister of accessibility!
Come on! That is the question.

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I’ve had the Honourable Minister
Fontaine join meetings with myself and

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other organizations in the past.
At the time, she seemed receptive,

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especially around the lack of Deaf
leadership and representation.

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It felt promising. But her recent
remarks contradict that.

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Even though she wrote in a letter that
she met with a local Deaf organization,

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it didn’t come across as authentic or
truly representative from either side.

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And what’s more troubling is that
the organization shifted focus to

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what she’s done for others, instead
of standing up and representing us.

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Their comments fell short.

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DeafDots contacted Shawna Joynt,
president of Manitoba Deaf Association

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(MDA) who said she was
meeting with Minister Fontaine.

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She declined to be interviewed but
several days later posted this vlog:

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We want to say MDA acknowledges everything
that has happened as we learned

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on the news about Nahanni and
the two deaf individuals who were present.

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This is very heartbreaking.
Doug Momotiuk, MDA treasurer and

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I had met with Minister Nahanni Fontaine
at her office on Wednesday July 2, 2025.

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The meeting went very well and it’s
encouraging to see that Minister Fontaine

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makes time to meet with everyone
to listen. This is especially true

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for the two ladies most impacted
to have an in-person discussion.

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Minister Fontaine appreciated the suggestion
to try to sign some messages in ASL

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to demonstrate her commitment to
the Deaf Community. Minister Fontaine

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will continue to work alongside
the interpreters to be sure it’s her events

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and her speeches remain accessible
to us. She will not stop listening

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to us and expressed her commitment
to learn and make improvements

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from this huge misstep.
We will continue to

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be by her side as advisors
on our accessibility needs.

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Yes, we did send the letters to two people:
one to Minister Nahanni Fontaine,

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and the other to Premier Wab Kinew
for Manitoba. Why we did that,

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we wanted to see accountability
and changes. Our goal is what,

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make sure that Deaf and Deaf Indigenous
people are treated equally

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with respect and dignity especially
with those in leadership roles

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and responsibility
for accessibility and inclusion.

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Minister Fontaine's comments
during the public event

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"Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag" was
rude, offensive and hurtful.

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It was dismissive of ASL access.
We want her serious apology

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in ASL and genuine effort to meet
with Deaf leaders in Manitoba, and across Canada.

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Serious and constructive steps
for accessibility and a Deaf voice,

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not just superficial service.
If the leaders are not willing to

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get involved and interact,
not willing to hear, not willing

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to recognize and adapt then what is
the point of being in power? Let go.

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The apology felt surface-level. Instead
of centering the impact on the Deaf community,

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it focused on her own frustration and poor planning.
There was no real acknowledgment

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of how excluding the interpreter
harmed access or visibility.

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With the minister saying she’s
committed to accessibility isn’t enough,

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especially when her actions show
the opposite. For someone in her role,

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words need to be backed by real
understanding and accountability.

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Right now, that’s missing.

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Our letter has several key points.
I'll summarize five points:

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Minister Fontaine's harmful behavior.
Her comments disregard values

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for the ASL interpreter which
is not acceptable for someone

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in her capacity as Minister of Accessibility.
Secondly is accountability.

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We asked the Minister to make a public
apology in ASL, and recognize

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the harm she had caused. We also ask that
the Premier hold her accountable.

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Thirdly, we want serious dialogue, direct
communication with Deaf and

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Deaf Indigenous leaders not just
a conversation and let it go.

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Minimal effort. Tokenism, and
minimizing it. After discussion,

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take actions which would interest me.
Fourth... actions, not words.

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We have made it clear that
reconciliation and accessibility

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must include language rights for ASL.
Fifth, concerns regarding leadership:

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is she fit to lead on accessibility
and gender equality

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if she cannot support basic language access?
This goes beyond just this one event,

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it is overall about the respect for Deaf people's
human rights across Canada.

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[DAWN]: Dan Lett, a columnist with “Free Press”,

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a print and digital media
in Manitoba said the following:

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[DAWN]: On Saturday May 3rd during
Mayfest in Toronto, Robert Weinstock,

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president of the Gallaudet University
Alumni Association (GUAA)

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spoke at a gathering for past
alumni members of Gallaudet.

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Forty five alumni members attended
this meeting which resulted

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in the decision to launch
the GUAA Ontario chapter.

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DeafDots spoke to Janet Martino
who was one of the organizers.

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The first Canadian chapter of GUAA
was established in 1949.

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In 1976 that Canadian chapter
disbanded. Then in the year 2000

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two former alumnus tried to launch
a GUAA chapter but struggled

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in doing so for two years and it folded.
I was puzzled and noticed

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there are over 400 alumni
members throughout Ontario.

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I decided to send an invitation
to Bob Weinstock,

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GUAA president inviting
him to speak in Ontario.

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He accepted and came to Ontario
where we formally formed

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the first GUAA Ontario chapter.

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[DAWN]: How did the meeting go,
and are there plans going forward?

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On Saturday May 3, GUAA alumni members
showed up at the Hot House Restaurant

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in downtown Toronto. We ate together
while GUAA president Bob Weinstock

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spoke related to Gallaudet issues and
how to set up a Gallaudet chapter.

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We formally established a Board.
Serving on the board as President -

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Carlisle Robinson, myself Janet Martino
as Secretary, Treasurer -

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Sergio Vazquez, and the fourth as Director
at Large is Anuja Nadarajah.

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The four of us will have our
first meeting soon in September.

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When the board meets, we will discuss
different events going forward.

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[DAWN]: How important is it to
have a GUAA Ontario chapter?

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If you are a former Gallaudet student
who may not have graduated or did graduate,

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I encourage you to join the Ontario
chapter which has many benefits:

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encourage and keep in touch
with former Gallaudet alumnus,

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strengthen relations between
Gallaudet and Ontario alumnus,

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also participate in social opportunities like
dinner, banquet, sports and so forth.

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Also promote Gallaudet University
for future potential students and

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also the goal to launch scholarships
for students wanting to go to Gallaudet.

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00:28:41.513 --> 00:28:48.523
Hello everyone! I'm here as Kimberly Wood, 
ASD alumni, Alberta School for the Deaf.


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Excited as we get closer 
to 70th anniversary

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[DAWN]: The Alberta School for the Deaf
celebrated its 70th year with a banquet in May.

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DeafDots reporter Robin Mackie
tells us more about it.

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[ROBYN]: The Alberta School for the Deaf
had two days of celebrations in May.

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The ASD Alumni Association hosted
a banquet which was sold out with 31 tables.

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00:30:42.563 --> 00:30:46.557
I asked Sarah Snively about
her experiences being

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a student and later
on becoming a teacher at ASD.

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I entered ASD when I was 6, around 1992-1993
do not recall the exact year.

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I was in Grade 1 until graduation,
grade 12 in 2005.

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My experience as a student
there was wonderful!

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I cannot explain everything
in this video, impossible!

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But I can say it was awesome,
a wonderful experience.

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A wonderful journey for me growing up
at ASD which was like my second home

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and it still is... because
I came back as a teacher there.

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The Deaf school, ASD, really focuses
on growth and uplifting Deaf

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and hard of hearing students, reinforces
their identity and encourages them

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to become ready to enter
the world after graduation.

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ASD had a lot of different programs
back then, and ASD still does,

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many different kinds of programs that accommodate
Deaf and hard of hearing students.

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00:31:56.921 --> 00:32:01.884
The staff there is fabulous...
Deaf, hard of hearing and

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hearing teachers and
staff who sign fluently.

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[ROBYN]: How did ASD
celebrate its 70th year?

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During the third week of May,
ASD celebrated its 70th anniversary.

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I was there and was on the committee and
it was a double milestone for me -

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graduating in 2005 which was 20 years ago and
celebrating the school's 70th anniversary!

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It was nice to see old faces and
new faces, old friends and new friends.

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Also ASD's past staff members and
current staff came. A wide range of people

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came together to mingle during that
weekend, it was a wonderful time!

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The ASD 70th anniversary committee
worked for one year to prepare.

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The community participated
on the committee along with people inside

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the school as well. We all wanted
the event to be successful... and

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it was successful! Many people who came
hadn't seen each other for 40, 45 years.

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There was a lot of hugging and tears,
sharing memories and old stories

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and they reflected on the changes
in ASD and changes in their lives.

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It was wonderful to see!

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00:33:24.487 --> 00:33:25.010


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[ROBYN]: How do you compare ASD
today to your experiences of being at

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the school in 1955. Has the school
changed, and in what ways?

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Today ASD in 2025 and 1955
there have been many changes.

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Everything changes - it's normal.
One big noticeable change

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was the modernizing renovations
to the school building.

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The programs are mainly the same,
some programs have changed

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but mostly remained the same...
with ASD"s focus on literacy, bilingualism:

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sign language and English - plus
academic excellence, preparing

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for transition to the workplace
and work experiences.

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00:34:13.512 --> 00:34:18.309
Deaf and hard of hearing students
still enroll in the school

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with Deaf and hard of hearing staff and
hearing staff who sign fluently are there.

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I think the school still has a heart
from its inception to now...

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Deaf and hard of hearing students,
children, individuals and

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adults regardless are involved
in the school. I look forward

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to seeing the school's growth
and expansion to come.

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00:34:42.297 --> 00:34:42.922


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[ROBYN]: Thanks Sarah. The school
must have inspired Sarah as she was

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not only a student but also
returned to become a teacher!

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00:34:58.393 --> 00:35:02.548


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00:35:02.548 --> 00:35:06.704


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00:35:10.858 --> 00:35:15.014


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[DAWN]: The 4th World Deaf Ice Hockey
Championship was held May 7-17th

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at the University of British
Columbia in Vancouver.

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Five teams competed from Canada,
Czechia, Finland, Hungary, and the USA.

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Canada won a bronze medal
for its 8-3 victory over Czechia!

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Behind the scenes Deaf Canadian
ice hockey players, however,

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are experiencing friction in how Deaf ice hockey
competition is organized in Canada.

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00:36:11.811 --> 00:36:16.001
DeafDots spoke to two different people.

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00:36:16.001 --> 00:36:16.806


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00:36:16.806 --> 00:36:25.128
Yes, I grew up playing
ice hockey in Saskatchewan.

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00:36:25.128 --> 00:36:31.103
I attended the school of the Deaf
and played left wing.

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00:36:31.103 --> 00:36:40.105
Then I attended Gallaudet 1971-1975
and again played left wing.

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After graduation and out in the world,
I played for Edmonton Deaf Club Red Barons.

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00:36:46.818 --> 00:36:47.574


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00:36:47.574 --> 00:36:56.603
Yes, I grew up in Saskatchewan and
played hockey and in 1989 with CDIHF.

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I was captain of the Canadian team
and toured the USSR. Two years later,

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1991 with Deaflympics in Banff
where I finished and retired.

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Still with CDIHF two times as assistant
coach and general manager.

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00:37:16.605 --> 00:37:24.715
Later in 2017, CDSA suspended CDIHF.
The CEO came up to me privately

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about the General Manager.
I look back and believe they

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00:37:28.525 --> 00:37:32.333
favored me over other qualified applicants.

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00:37:32.333 --> 00:37:32.755


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00:37:32.755 --> 00:37:38.838
[DAWN]: What are the issues
that the Deaf national

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00:37:38.838 --> 00:37:44.920
ice hockey team is experiencing with CDSA?

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00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:45.789


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00:37:45.789 --> 00:37:54.864
Four issues - first, across Canada
there is no practice, no tryouts,

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no normal competition in Canada.
There is no financial support, or very little.

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00:38:03.938 --> 00:38:13.014
Secondly, the MOU - memorandum of understanding -
between CDSA and BCDSF has

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to be confidential and cannot
be shared with the host committee.

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00:38:22.088 --> 00:38:31.164
It tells us what to do which is dangerous
and creates low morale.

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00:38:31.164 --> 00:38:40.239
Thirdly, Canada placed third place and
received bronze medals at the recent tournament.

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00:38:40.239 --> 00:38:45.239
Canada could do better
than third place, I know.

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00:38:45.239 --> 00:38:52.733
The 5 best Canadians couldn't
play due to work commitments and

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00:38:52.733 --> 00:39:00.224
poor preparations at short
notice... with 4 months left.

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00:39:00.224 --> 00:39:07.717
CDSA decided who to select
on the roster on their own,

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00:39:07.717 --> 00:39:15.210
not the coaches, not the managers.
Bad idea. Fourth... one more...

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00:39:15.210 --> 00:39:27.882
I think enough is enough. CDSA
cancelled and sanctioned the event 3 times

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for the World Ice Hockey Championships
in Vancouver. These cancellations

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00:39:32.543 --> 00:39:37.686
and rescheduling is enough! Finish!

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00:39:37.686 --> 00:39:38.373


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00:39:38.373 --> 00:39:52.231
Since 2014 there were no Canadian
championships, no training camps prior

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to Chicago 2022, Buffalo 2024,
and Vancouver 2025.

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00:40:06.092 --> 00:40:19.951
AHIHA Chicago has been very successful
over 50 years with annual ice hockey camps.

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00:40:19.951 --> 00:40:27.076
CDIHF would still follow
if not for CDSA taking over.

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00:40:27.076 --> 00:40:32.536


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00:40:32.536 --> 00:40:37.579
[DAWN]: There is an online petition
for the Deaf national ice hockey team

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00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:42.619
to secede from the Canadian
Deaf Sports Association (CDSA).

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00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:47.661
What led you to launching the petition?

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00:40:47.661 --> 00:40:48.208


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00:40:48.208 --> 00:41:00.177
CDSA suspended CDIHF since 2017.
Three years ago I reapplied

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to be admitted as an affiliate to
CDSA. They rejected me again.

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00:41:12.148 --> 00:41:20.954
I think there is no better solution;
my hands are tied waiting for lift.

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00:41:20.954 --> 00:41:21.726


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00:41:21.726 --> 00:41:28.938
[DAWN]: Have you spoken to CDSA about
this situation and what is their position?

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00:41:28.938 --> 00:41:29.905


365
00:41:29.905 --> 00:41:35.920
No, CDSA knows
my plans to retire last year.

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00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:44.199
In Buffalo, Vancouver host wanted to
promote the Ronald Fee Invitational

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for Deaf Ice Hockey Championships 2025.
The CDSA president informed the CEO in Montreal.

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00:41:53.813 --> 00:42:01.110
At the last minute, the CEO
drove down to Buffalo to block it.

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00:42:01.110 --> 00:42:08.615
The Vancouver host asked me if
I could contact AHIHA to invite the host

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00:42:08.615 --> 00:42:16.121
but the AHIHA host said no because CDSA
said no. During one game involving Canada,

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as general manager, they should support
the team while CDSA called me

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00:42:23.626 --> 00:42:31.130
to an emergency meeting at the hotel.
I resisted but they kept pestering me.

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00:42:31.130 --> 00:42:38.784
The CEO came up to me during the game,
argued, and then I walked away.

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00:42:38.784 --> 00:42:46.436
I typed my retirement letter. Both asked to
see the letter first before sending it out.

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00:42:46.436 --> 00:42:54.090
The general manager changed to be the
team manager but it is still the same thing.

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00:42:54.090 --> 00:42:56.791
That's so controlling.

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00:42:56.791 --> 00:42:57.434


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00:42:57.434 --> 00:43:07.364
Mark Dunn and I flew to Buffalo, New York
and watched the hockey tournament,

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the World Deaf Championship.
It happened as I was publicizing

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00:43:13.766 --> 00:43:19.992
the Ronald Fee Opening
invitational tournament in 2025.

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00:43:19.992 --> 00:43:30.568
Suddenly CDSA's CEO approached me
and said "You can't, you can't.

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00:43:30.568 --> 00:43:38.972
I said I was independent but he didn't accept.
I had flyers promoting the tournament.

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00:43:38.972 --> 00:43:45.956
The CEO told me he would work
on reaction and agreement to remove

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00:43:45.956 --> 00:43:52.940
the Ronald Fee Invitational, and
change it to World Ice Hockey Championship.

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00:43:52.940 --> 00:44:01.289
I said OK, fine. I returned home
with hope and waited and waited...

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00:44:01.289 --> 00:44:09.641
finally reaction late in June
with 7 months to the Vancouver tournament.

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00:44:09.641 --> 00:44:17.990
The committee rushed on the logistics.
What's worse was the MOU -

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00:44:17.990 --> 00:44:26.340
memo of understanding - between CDSA
and BC Deaf Sports Federation had

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00:44:26.340 --> 00:44:32.550
some inconsistencies. I didn't know what
the secret was but they wouldn't permit me

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00:44:32.550 --> 00:44:38.760
to read it. I became frustrated
and it's time to advocate.

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00:44:38.760 --> 00:44:41.827
I think the CDSA leadership has to go.

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00:44:41.827 --> 00:44:42.614


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00:44:42.614 --> 00:44:46.630
[DAWN]: What would
you like to see happen?

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00:44:46.630 --> 00:44:47.451


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00:44:47.451 --> 00:44:57.934
You look at the American Hearing Impaired
Hockey Association which has been successful.

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00:44:57.934 --> 00:45:04.101
I observed them; they are independent
and have finances to run

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00:45:04.101 --> 00:45:09.358
from the American Deaf Sports Federation.
I'd like to emulate this effort

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00:45:09.358 --> 00:45:14.614
to succeed in hockey and be financially
secure. I like their model of having its

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00:45:14.614 --> 00:45:20.344
own finances and operating
privately and publicly.

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00:45:20.344 --> 00:45:20.918


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00:45:20.918 --> 00:45:31.903
DeafDots reached out to CDSA
but did not get response by deadline.

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00:45:31.903 --> 00:45:42.449
Thank you for watching DeafDots.
Please send your news suggestions through

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00:45:42.449 --> 00:45:53.248
our website www.DeafDots.ca or
email to news@deafdots.ca.

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00:45:53.248 --> 00:45:59.548
Don’t forget to subscribe,
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00:45:59.548 --> 00:46:05.849
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00:46:05.849 --> 00:46:07.034


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