Accessibility minister's comments about ASL interpreter a 'knife right in the back' for deaf graduate

A woman who was excited to celebrate with her family at a graduation event for Indigenous women on Thursday says it's hard to look at her college certificate after the experience was tainted by comments Manitoba's accessibility minister made about sharing the stage with a sign-language interpreter.

Deborah Owczar, who is deaf, said the ASL interpreter was removed from the stage after Minister Nahanni Fontaine's speech, depriving her and her daughter access to participation during the first annual Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag Celebration of Indigenous Women Graduates held in downtown Winnipeg on Thursday. 

She said she was looking forward to getting dressed up with her daughter and celebrating with other Indigenous high school, college and university grads.

Owczar, who is Métis, had just earned a child and youth care certificate through a partnership between Ndinawe and Red River College Polytechnic. 

"I feel like my certificate is completely ruined. I got it from this event, now when I look at it, it's associated with these negative memories, not with my accomplishment. I look at my certificate and I think about what was said," Owczar told CBC News through an ASL interpreter on Sunday.  

"I felt like my accomplishment was not as worthy as the others," she said. 

In a video taken by APTN news, Fontaine is seen telling a person off camera that she was "thrown off" by the interpreter sharing the stage with her at the event, saying the interpreter shouldn't have been on the stage because she was blocking Fontaine's view of the audience. 

She made the comments to a staff member while preparing to speak with reporters at the event, which she was hosting. 

WATCH | Fontaine speaks about sharing stage with ASL interpreter (WARNING: contains offensive language)

Nahanni Fontaine complains about ASL interpreter sharing her stage

19 hours ago

Duration 0:32

In video captured by APTN, Manitoba's minister responsible for accessibility asks "why the F are you on the stage?" in reference to the sign language interpreter who had shared the stage with her while she delivered a speech to Indigenous graduates.

The other person referred to the interpreter's translation as "frantic hand movements."

"Yeah, I'm like, 'F--k, why did I have her on the stage?' Jesus! I'm like, 'you need to leave,'" the minister is heard saying into a hot mic in the APTN video.

On Friday, Fontaine issued an apology, saying her comments were an expression of frustration over her "poor planning ensuring clear sight lines for all graduates." 

"I also sincerely apologize to the Deaf community and to all Manitobans for my comments," Fontaine said, adding she apologized directly to the interpreter who shared the stage with her. 

Owczar said when she saw the video of Fontaine's comments the day after the event, it "was just like a knife right in the back, adding salt to the wound," and the apology doesn't do enough to help heal that wound. 

"Any sense of inspiration or joy that I had from this event was completely lost," she said. 

Owczar's daughter Stephanie Jebb, who is also deaf, said she was shocked by the minister's comments, adding Fontaine's facial expressions throughout the video communicated an "obvious lack of respect." 

"She used such harsh, foul language. It was extreme," Jebb said. "It really just tainted the entire experience."

"When you disrespect the interpreter, you disrespect the Deaf community," Owczar said. 

Owczar said she saw Fontaine go up to the interpreter after her speech, pointing to an area off of the stage. The interpreter was not on stage for the remaining speeches, Owczar said. 

Having an interpreter on stage next to the speaker helps make the event fully accessible for members of the Deaf community, Owczar and Jebb said. 

Owczar said it's important to see both at the same time because the interpreter provides access to the language while the speaker offers emotion and context, such as hand gestures and facial expressions, through their presentation.  

"That's the way that I can really have a full understanding of what's going on … to be able to see both at the same time, not one or the other," she said.  

According to the Canadian Hearing Society, interpreters should sit or stand next to the speaker and across from the person accessing ASL interpretation. This allows the individual to clearly see both the interpreter and the speaker.  

Jebb said the interpreter was moved in front of their table, forcing them to choose whether to understand the speech or watch the speaker on stage. 

"You can't see what's happening on stage and also understand what's being said," she said. 

"This is our culture and our language. Having the interpreter there next to the speaker so we can see both, that's the way that we can fully participate in what's happening," Owczar said. 

Both Jebb and Owczar said they are sadly used to being denied access to ASL interpreters at events. They said interpreters —  if they are provided at all  — are often asked to move out of the way, which limits an ASL speaker's access. 

Still, it was shocking to see the same conduct from Fontaine on Thursday. 

"She's the minister of accessibility and yet my right to access was denied," Owczar said, adding that Fontaine's comments make her question how the minister feels about accessibility behind closed doors. 

However, Owczar said she hopes Fontaine learns from her mistakes and commits to educating herself further, whether she keeps the accessibility role or not. 

"I would love to have her as part of a healing circle with the Deaf community …" Owczar said. "I would love to have her involved in the Deaf community and learning more about us and our language." 

"The minister of accessibility needs to know these things," Jebb said. 

Before Thursday's event, the pair were already excited to attend next year's graduation ceremony for Indigenous women, where Jebb had planned to celebrate earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Winnipeg in 2026. 

Now they're not sure if they'll go back.  

"It's hard to imagine watching her on stage again," Owczar said. 

CBC News has reached out to the province for comment.

On Sunday afternoon, Fontaine posted a second apology to her Instagram account. 

"Over the past few days, I've heard clearly from Deaf Manitobans and community members of the harm my comments caused. Once again, I remain deeply sorry," she wrote, adding she will ensure all events are accessible to everyone. 

CBC News has also reached out to the interpreter at the event but did not receive a response.