District mum on employee's fate after social media controversy
Yellowknife Catholic School not saying anything but staff profile removed from website; receptionist says he doesn't work there following last month's Facebook firestorm
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
An aboriginal program activities co-ordinator who made disparaging remarks on Facebook about Tlicho hunters in search of caribou last month is no longer being profiled on Yellowknife Catholic Schools' website.
David Radcliffe called Tlicho hunters "animals" and referred to them with an expletive in a Facebook post regarding their caribou hunt to Lutsel K'e March 21. Many respondents considered his comments racially charged and a social media firestorm soon erupted, although Radcliffe maintained he was merely expressing his displeasure with the caribou hunt and declining herd numbers and did not intend any racism.
Claudia Parker, superintendent with YCS, declined to comment on Radcliffe's employment status when contacted Monday.
She told Yellowknifer two weeks ago that she was investigating the incident.
"We definitely had some parents who contacted us with their concerns," said Parker.
"We've replied to those parents just to let them know that, first of all, the comments that were made on social media by the individual do not reflect our Yellowknife Catholic Schools' beliefs; secondly, we're dealing with the issue but cannot divulge the particulars; and thirdly, we've had a great relationship with the aboriginal community and we want to continue to have that good relationship with the aboriginal community."
Radcliffe's staff page no longer exists on the YCS website and when Yellowknifer called the district office Monday, a receptionist said he does not work there. Radcliffe declined to comment.
Trustee Erin Currie also declined comment and said trustees do not speak individually on matters of this magnitude.
"We speak as a unified group," she said Monday. "We don't speak individually."
Board chairperson Simon Taylor called the situation a personnel matter.
"It's a regrettable statement," he said. "It's not something the district condones in any way."
Parker said staff are expected to follow the district's code of ethics when it comes to social media.
"The bottom line is that comments should not be made that would affect our district in any negative way," she said.
