Daniels acknowledges ‘challenges with alcohol’

WINNIPEG — Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels has apologized and is seeking treatment for alcohol use, after sources said he was involved in an altercation outside a downtown Ottawa bar earlier this month.

Daniels said in a Facebook post that he wants a restorative justice model to resolve “the incident that occurred.” The post didn’t share any details about what happened or who else was involved.

“I will do better. The past few weeks have been a wake-up call, and I recognize the need for change in my lifestyle,” Daniels wrote.

“Just like anyone who faces the shame of having personal struggles laid bare, I wish I had been honest sooner about my challenges with alcohol.

“I know that an apology alone is not enough to repair the harm I’ve caused. That can only be done through meaningful action. To that end, I am committing to a treatment plan that includes both traditional ceremony and an alcohol-treatment program.”

Daniels said he has already started on “this journey to better myself” and will continue to take part in the program when he returns to work Jan. 6. He vowed his return will be the start of a “new chapter.”

He went on a leave of absence after the Dec. 3 altercation in Ottawa. He was in the city for the Assembly of First Nations’ special chiefs assembly, which was attended by leaders from across Canada.

Chief Cornell McLean of Lake Manitoba First Nation was named SCO’s acting chief.

Multiple sources told the Winnipeg Free Press that Daniels and at least one council member of a Manitoba First Nation community were involved in the altercation outside a bar.

Daniels spent some time in hospital being treated for injuries, sources said.

In a statement, Ottawa police said officers were sent to the first 100 block of York Street in the city’s ByWard Market area shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 3.

Police said a man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police didn’t name any people who were involved nor did they identify the bar.

No one had been charged as of Friday, and the incident is still under investigation, police spokeswoman Julie Kavanagh said.

Daniels has been grand chief of SCO, one of the largest Indigenous political groups in Manitoba, since 2017. He was elected to a third term in June.

SCO is involved in a $200-million project — named Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, which means “it is visible” in Anishinaabemowin — to transform the former Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Winnipeg with 350 affordable and market housing units, restaurants, a health centre and other features.

In a separate redevelopment project, SCO and True North Real Estate Development — part of the company that owns the Winnipeg Jets — will share ownership of a residential tower on the west side of what is currently Portage Place shopping centre.

Daniels’ apology addressed SCO, chiefs of the organization’s 33 member First Nations, SCO’s partners, his family and anyone concerned about his well-being.

Daniels advocates on behalf of those 33 First Nations and their 87,000 citizens.

His post thanked SCO’s chief executive council for supporting him and “helping me deal with my trauma.”

Daniels, a father who is from Long Plain First Nation, said he will maintain close contact with the executive council and set up regular check-ins to hold him “accountable” in regard to his progress.

“As community leaders, we can do better, and I am proposing a restorative justice model to resolve the incident that occurred,” he wrote.

“As First Nations leaders, we want to lead by example, learn from our mistakes and work toward reconciliation.

“I am truly grateful for your patience, kindness and most of all, your forgiveness. I promise you that I will not let you down and will be the leader you all deserve.”

After the altercation in Ottawa, some photos of Daniels or references to him were removed from SCO’s website, including a staff directory. As of Friday afternoon, the page listed McLean as acting grand chief and did not mention Daniels.

SCO faced calls to share more information about Daniels’ situation in the days after the altercation. On Dec. 7, Derek Nepinak, chief of Minegoziibe Anishinabe, formerly Pine Creek First Nation, said in a social media post the community had not yet been given information about an incident in Ottawa, and SCO had not yet provided details about Daniels’ status as grand chief.

Nepinak also said he was given limited information about McLean’s appointment as acting grand chief.

» Winnipeg Free Press