Dear editor:
I want to thank Nancy Schmidt for educating myself, council, and the public about the En’owkin Centre and addressing her concerns with my comments on the November 7 council meeting.
My comments at the meeting were not meant to be directed at the Penticton Art Gallery and disparage their work in any way. I am grateful and proud of the work the Penticton Art Gallery does to promote and educate the public about indigenous art and artists. I let my emotions get the better of me at the meeting which led to offending people in our community which I apologize for those comments.
I try to do my best to be an ally to Syilx and First Nation people. I understand that I made a mistake in this case and walked off the path of being an ally. I am thankful and glad Nancy Schmidt is willing to call these comments out and voice her concerns. I accept I was in the wrong to state that people can go to the En’owkin Centre. I will learn from this and will continue to learn how to be a better ally to Syilx and First Nations people in our community and abroad in my role as council.
Isaac Gilbert
Penticton City Councillor
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