Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault (Edmonton Centre) told a Commons committee Thursday that false claims of Indigenous ancestry are "deeply harmful," as he denied past assertions that he identified as indigenous. Blacklock's Reporter says Boissonnault’s testimony before the indigenous committee comes amid accusations of “pretendianism” and allegations that he falsely claimed Cree and Métis heritage.“I think ‘pretendianism’ needs to be denounced,” said Boissonnault. “It is deeply harmful and it disrespects Indigenous people and all the hard-fought battles they have won to date.”The controversy stems from past statements in which Boissonnault referred to himself as “Strong Eagle Man” and recounted stories about his alleged Cree great-grandmother, Lucy Brown Eyes. In 2019, he claimed she once told him while peeling apples, “These hands used to skin hides, now they skin apples and some day the lands will return to us.”Boissonnault also co-founded a medical supply company that marketed itself as indigenous-owned. However, he now insists he never claimed to be Indigenous, stating, “I have always tried to be consistent with who I am. I have never claimed Indigenous history. I never said I was Cree.”New Democrat MP Lori Idlout (Nunavut) expressed disbelief over Boissonnault’s shifting narrative. “We have heard about you claiming to be Cree. We have heard about you claiming to be part of the Métis Nation of Alberta. You now seem to have changed your story,” she said. “For you to shift from being Cree to being Métis to being white and being adopted, what you are sharing with us is hard to believe.”Conservative MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) also challenged Boissonnault’s credibility. “You have said in the House of Commons that you are indigenous and now you are before this committee saying you never did. How can anyone believe anything you say?” he asked.“I have never claimed to be indigenous,” Boissonnault replied. “You are misinterpreting the record.”Boissonnault, who was removed from cabinet last month after accusations of identity fraud, said he is working to make amends. “I am in the process of making amends,” he told the committee. “I think it’s a longer process. I have apologized.”Other MPs, including Liberal Michael McLeod (Northwest Territories), backed Boissonnault’s claim that he never explicitly identified as indigenous. “At no time did I ever believe Randy Boissonnault was indigenous,” said McLeod. “He was very clear on that.”Despite the denials, Boissonnault acknowledged the damage caused by the allegations and vowed to rebuild trust. “I think conversations will be really important,” he said. “I think it’s by being honest with people.”
