Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, July 11, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man who claims he was kicked out of the Raven nightclub because he is aboriginal lost his case June 26, when a decision was released.

Adjudicator Adrian Wright ruled there was no evidence to prove the reason Roger Deranger was refused entry was because he is aboriginal.

Wright indicated in a written decision that Deranger's complaints were dismissed as he could not prove Raven staff had violated the Human Rights Act. Deranger, a Dene man, launched the complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission after being denied access to the popular watering hole on three separate occasions.

"There is no evidence - nor can I infer - any connection between the respondent's actions and the complainant being Dene," Wright wrote in his decision.

Jim Sturge, owner of the Raven Pub, said he was pleased with the outcome of the case.

"There was no validity to anything that was being talked about there, with regards to racism or anything of the nature," said Sturge.

"We never targeted any kind of race ... everyone is welcome."

The incidents Deranger noted in his case occurred on Dec. 15 and March 17, 2006, and June 15, 2007. The hearing took place from April 21 to 24 in Yellowknife. During the hearing the attorney for the nightclub, Robert Kasting, presented evidence to support the claim that Deranger was refused entry to the bar on March 17, 2006 and June 15, 2007 because he appeared intoxicated. He was also said to have been removed from the Raven on Dec. 15, 2006, because he had been stealing drinks, something witnesses provided by the Raven corroborated.

Deranger, who represented himself, said at the hearing he has not consumed alcohol since 1998 and all three times he was removed from the bar had only been drinking water. He also said he visited the pub approximately 50 to 100 times between the first and third incidents and said he still frequents the Raven.

Deranger had said he wanted a public apology from Raven staff and owners as well as $50,000 in compensation for being discriminated against. Wright ruled that since the complaints were dismissed, the complainant is not entitled to costs.

Deranger could not be reached for comment, but told Yellowknifer in April that he would appeal his complaint if the decision goes against him.

"I'm going to have to look for a higher authority that will take drastic and dramatic action," he said.