March 23, 2026
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CANADALAND
#1334 The Long Fight for a Little Justice in Burns Lake
“People who made very serious allegations were not even talked to by the RCMP, and for some reason the tribunal says, that's not discriminatory.” -Journalist, Laura Robinson
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher
Bruce Thorson
Senior Producer
Tristan Capacchione
Audio Editor & Technical Producer
max collins
Director of Audio

Over a decade ago journalist Laura Robinson broke this story of alleged abuse against Indigenous children at a school in Burns Lake, B.C.. The man at the centre of the allegations is someone who had risen to international prominence in the sports world. 

It’s been a tale of twists and turns with the RCMP investigating the abuse allegations and declining to press charges. Robinson and the accused took turns to sue each other for defamation. Finally, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal took up the case and just handed down a decision. 

And despite the fact that over the last decade nearly every major broadcaster in the country has printed and broadcast the name of the alleged abuser, we no longer can. There’s now a publication ban in effect.

Is this the final chapter in the story?

Laura Robinson joins us today.

 

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network 

 

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