Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. has heard concerns regarding the treatment of First Nations customers shopping at Walmart in Thompson, and the treatment from Impact Security, hired by Walmart.  MKO is hosting a peaceful march to protest the racism experienced by Indigenous customers at Walmart.

When: Monday, July 20, 2020

Time: Gather at 1 pm, the march will start soon after

Where: The march against racism starts at the Giant Tiger parking lot at 436 Thompson Drive in Thompson, Manitoba
The march will move along Thompson Drive North, ending at the Walmart parking lot.

Who: Grand Chief Garrison Settee and MKO welcome all those who want to stand up to racism, including non-Indigenous allies, to join the march
Why: “There is ongoing mistreatment of First Nations citizens when they are shopping at the Thompson Walmart. This is unacceptable. MKO has heard from a significant number of First Nations citizens who say they have been racially profiled. First Nations contribute significant amounts of money to this corporation’s profits. On July 20, 2020, we will march and gather to remind Walmart that the surrounding First Nations are essential to the economy of Thompson. The Impact Security Company needs to be mindful that cultural proficiency is key to ending racism and should be part of their training to ensure racial profiling does not occur.”
~Grand Chief Garrison Settee

 

MKO sent a letter to Walmart on July 3, 2020, to request a meeting to engage in a solutions-based dialogue about the corporation’s plans to improve the quality of service First Nations citizens can expect to receive. MKO will meet with managers from Walmart to further discuss the ongoing concerns and to bring forth solutions the Grand Chief and MKO have discussed.

Read more about the issue in any of the following media stories: