Millbrook First Nation councillors resign after disgusting chat group exposed on social media

Two councillors in Millbrook First Nation in Nova Scotia have resigned after a chat group they were in that contained graphic and sexually demeaning posts against women was made public. Jackie McNutt, one of two Mi’kmaw women who are talking about the group chat, said she was stunned when she read what was there. “I was shocked at first,” she said, “then it turned into more anger then it was more sad and then it was just pure disgust after.” “Gotta marry one or kill one,” said one of the comments. “Passed out sex is the best eh – they there [sic] passed out,” said another. The group has 18 members from Millbrook, including the two councillors, staff and business owners. Councillors Garrett Gloade and Pius Knockwood resigned. Neither could be reached for comment. McNutt is the mother of three young children with another on the way. She said she and her relatives were talked about in the chat group. “It not only hurts me, it hurts my sister and my niece and my mom to read all these,” she said, “and you know she never knew anything about this stuff and other than what happened to me and it broke my mother.” Tia Googoo is another woman speaking out. She says a friend showed her the chat group which included comments about her and her mother. “Disgusting, appalling, degrading. I don’t think any man should really talk like that at all, especially about women. I think Indigenous men are supposed to be our protectors and not our predators,” she said. Googoo said she told Millbrook leadership about the group before she posted screenshots on Facebook which now have more than 2,000 shares. “The more you let your stories out and be heard, the more we can shut these predators down,” she said. Googoo denies allegations that she obtained access to the chat group by force. The RCMP said its investigating. Police said officers are also investigating the chats, whether anyone has been victimized criminally. Bob Gloade, chief of Millbrook Nation issued a statement on Monday that said he’s “deeply disturbed” by the content. “These messages are demeaning and disparaging towards women, men, Elders and 2SLGBTQIA+ population,” the statement said. “I want to assure you that this type of behavior is not acceptable and it’s not a reflection of our leadership or community as a whole.” McNutt said she and her family have given statements to the RCMP. Continue Reading