Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). More recently, he has been writing a regular opinion column for CFJC Kamloops called "Armchair Mayor" which has often been used as an outlet for his outdated and prejudicial views. On May 29, 2021, the day after the horrific news that 215 children's remains were found at the site of the former residential school in Kamloops. In the fifth paragraph, Rothenburger claims, without evidence, that the children all died accidentally of diseases. On the ensuing Facebook discussion of this article, Mr. Rothenburger defends his position and ignores the multitude of Indigenous voices that are asking him to research his position and learn more about the topic, as many of the points made in the article are incorrect and ignorant to the reality of the Residential School system.

This pattern of ignorance and defense of said ignorance is a pattern with Mr. Rothenburger.  No respected news outlet should encourage or condone this man's outdated views and statements, nor should they provide a space for him to share these views.  This is far from the first time that this man has made hurtful, culturally insensitive and, at times, flat-out racist arguments on this platform, and it is time for it to stop. 

We are asking CFJC Kamloops to stop its association with Mr. Rothenburger, and to replace him with diverse voices that reflect modern opinions and outlooks.