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Ottawa Citizen

Algonquin elder files lawsuit claiming she was bounced from OCDSB committee

An Algonquin elder has filed a $4.5 million-plus lawsuit against Ottawa's largest school board, alleging she was 'targeted' and subjected to an 'unconstitutional gag order' after she developed a policy to prevent fraudulent Indigenous identity claims. Article content According to a statement of claim filed June 3 in Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Monique Manatch was removed from her role as chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's Indigenous Education Committee (IEC) after she developed the policy to 'ensure that resources designated for Indigenous persons would not be diverted by individuals fraudulently claiming Indigenous identity.' Article content Article content Article content The allegations have not been proven in court. The OCDSB filed a notice of intent to defend on June 17. Article content Article content Manatch was chair of the Indigenous Education Committee from 2016 until she was removed from the position in February, according to the statement of claim. She is a member of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, has been an Indigenous education advocate for 20 years and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Anthropology at Carleton University. Article content The policy Manatch was developing was created through extensive consultation with local Indigenous communities, according to the statement of claim, and aligned with best practices, including a 2022 report on Indigenous identity fraud commissioned by the University of Saskatchewan. Article content On Dec. 8, 2024, OCDSB director of education, Pino Buffone phoned Manatch about a complaint made against her, but provided neither details nor the complainant's identity, the statement of claim said. On Jan. 27, she learned by email that she was being investigated for alleged breaches of a harassment prevention policy that had allegedly been raised by a parent. Article content Article content Manatch's statement said she requested particulars, but they were never provided. On Feb. 2, a third-party investigation firm said she was under investigation regarding concerns about the committee under the OCDSB's Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention policy. But there were still no particulars about the allegations and the OCDSB did not respond when her lawyer asked for details about the allegations and clarification about the investigation. Article content In a statement, OCDSB spokesperson Diane Pernari said the temporary removal of Manatch from her IEC chair role was a 'necessary decision followed multiple allegations of harassment over several months in which Ms. Manatch was implicated. Given our responsibilities as an employer to ensure a safe work environment, an external and impartial investigation was initiated.'