B.C. MLA Melanie Mark sparks hope for more Indigenous women in politics

Outgoing Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Melanie Mark is not mincing her words when it comes to behaviour she says she was subjected to during her tenure.

“There is a lot that I’m proud of, but this journey has been challenging and has come at a significant personal toll. This place felt like a torture chamber. I will not miss the character assassination,” Mark said Wednesday in her resignation speech at the B.C. Legislature.

“Members of this House have heard me say that we need to paddle together, but the fact is the political environment is cut-throat and dysfunctional. Disrupting the status quo is about using your power for good to adjust policies that stand in the way of people living their best and healthiest lives. Future generations need us to have the guts to have their backs and fight for their rights.”

She added that after seven years, she’s standing up and putting herself and her daughters first with her resignation.

“It has been my honour to serve, but I will continue my advocacy and fight from outside this house,” she said.

Today, I entered the @BCLegislature 1 final time to announce my resignation as MLA for VMP. I did not make this decision lightly, & after many sleepless nights deliberating, I have so much peace about my decision to step back from politics. 3/10

— Melanie Mark Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak (@melaniejmark) February 23, 2023

Speaking to reporters after Question Period, Mark called out the behaviour women have to face in politics, saying that while she has accomplished a lot that she is proud of during her time in politics, everything eventually took a toll.

But some people have pushed back on her claims.

“Those who have taken to Twitter, those who have taken to online comments about her speech, have said that they don’t believe her, that there’s no way that this could happen within the legislature, and that she was responding in a way that was hysterical. And isn’t that the word that we always use when describing women? But what I saw was someone who was just really passionate about that issue,” explained Allie Blades, chair, Equal Voice B.C.

Blades tells CityNews there aren’t enough women in office. However, she admits she often sees women in political roles get harassed.

“It’s usually not attacking the policy or how they delivered a powerful speech — it’s the cut of her hair, it’s what she’s wearing, it’s how she conducts herself in her personal life, perhaps. Comments about being a mother,” Blades explained.

Read more:

• Melanie Mark announces resignation from B.C. legislature

• Melanie Mark on medical leave, resigns from B.C. cabinet

Mark, the first Indigenous woman to serve as a B.C. cabinet minister, also said in her speech that the legislature and government are “colonial institutions” — something an Indigenous advocate who ran for city mayor last year agrees with.

“Even in the city of Vancouver, I was up-front and face-first with people who were very much still in the 1800s mindset of colonization that Indigenous people shouldn’t lead anything, Indigenous people should stay in their place and not be seen, not be heard,” said Leona Brown.

Despite Mark stepping down, advocates say they hope she is just the first of many more Indigenous women in power.

“So that’s, as us on the outside, as voters, we’re not losing Melanie Mark, we’re gaining a mentor in Melanie Mark for her to find this next candidate,” said Blades.

“As soon as I heard that she resigned, I’ve been thinking about running for MLA myself. So I think if that challenge comes up, I’m going to do it,” added Brown.

The Executive and Chiefs wanted to demonstrate their unwavering support for Melanie Mark after she bravely stood before the British Columbia legislature and told her truth.
We stand behind you @melaniejmark pic.twitter.com/XjPOtU8W01

— UBCIC (@UBCIC) February 23, 2023

Meanwhile, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is calling on the province to “investigate the disgraceful and disgusting racist and sexist harassment” Mark says she faced while in the B.C. legislature.

“Her impassioned speech raised concerns from Indigenous peoples across B.C. as she spoke about the harms and colonial violence she experienced while serving her constituency,” the union said in a statement.