Calgary City Coun. Dan McLean is stepping back from Calgary council committees and boards after a "deeply offensive video" he was allegedly in surfaced on the internet..On Tuesday, CBC News Calgary reported "during a council meeting, McLean said he would give up his committees and boards and sit with a circle of elders to learn to grow, change and be better." . McLean videoMcLean video .On Friday McLean blamed social media for causing divisions in society, but he didn't address the "deeply offensive video" in which he was he was allegedly recorded.."Due to recent events that have unfolded on social media, I felt it necessary to release this statement in this video and firstly I want to be just very very clear all my life I have always deeply admired and respected cultures and histories of First Nations people, Metis and indigenous people," McLean said in a video posted to Facebook..But in a note accompanying the video, McLean admitted to mistakes in the past.."On my own personal journey I recognize I have made mistakes in the past and for that I sincerely apologize.".On Thursday, Calgary City Coun. Kourtney Penner called on McLean to apologize for the video circulating..The video Penner is referring to features Jonathan Denis and Progressive Group for Independent Business (PGIB) Executive Director Craig Chandler..PGIB is a membership-funded business and taxpayer association based in Calgary founded by Chandler in 1992..The videos were taken at a party where the notorious case of "Brockett 99 radio" was discussed and made mocking calls impersonating drunk indigenous people..The premise of Brocket 99 radio is a fictitious radio station broadcasting from Brocket, Alberta, on the Northern Peigan reserve (a real first nations reservation 70 km west of Lethbridge, AB), hosted by a character named Ernie Scar..In the video Denis appears to then impersonate an indigenous male making a prank call. Three of the videos were filmed in 2020 at a backyard party. The one Penner refers to shows Denis and Chandler sitting at a kitchen table making an alleged prank call..An alternate video angle also shows McLean sitting at the table in an orange shirt while Denis is filmed doing impersonations while under the influence of alcohol..Off camera, a voice can be heard saying, "And you know my sister Suzzie. Suzzie Shitsherpants" during the call.. McLeanThis picture was posted the same day the video was recorded in Chandler's home. Chandler would not confirm if the man in the orange shirt is Dan McLean. .That voice is alleged to be McLean's, however, Denis and Chandler claim the video is a fake. Chandler would not confirm if the voice was McLean..Chandler would also not confirm who was sitting across from him when the video was filmed..McLean did not respond to inquiries from the Western Standard for comment..“All I can tell you is that I have zero recollection of that event,” said McLean in a text message to CTV News..He did not respond to follow-up questions from CTV..McLean did not apologize for his actions in the alleged video, however, he blamed social media for divisions in society while standing with spiritual advisor Alice Marchand.."I hope for a brighter future one where politicians, political operatives, media, the Twitterati may quit using religion and culture to divide us," McLean said.."Now more than ever we need to work together towards our path, towards reconciliation, a brighter future and prosperity for all of us.".CBC New Calgary reported Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said in Tuesday's meeting following the emergence of the videos that she spoke with indigenous leaders and elders.."These conversations were sparked by the surfacing of a video last week that was racist and included a member of our city council. I asked for indigenous perspectives, advice and expectations on our next steps as a council," Gondek said.."I was also advised it's not the mayor's place to speak for the indigenous community, but it is my responsibility to call out racism and it is the responsibility of our council as well.".Gondek asked McLean if he would agree to meet with a circle of elders that will be assembled by Rose Crowshoe and Reg Crowshoe.."They will ensure that there is representation from First Nation and métis elders and that there is representation of women in this circle, which means you will hear their truths and their experiences.".The law firm of Denis claims it has proof a series of videos with him have been doctored.."A member of our firm has been targeted with online harassment. We now have evidence these videos are being doctored. The police are engaged," Guardian Law stated.After the videos started to become public, Denis said he did not recall them, blaming alcohol. He said since leaks started he also received blackmail threats which he reported to police.
