One year ago, I wrote letters to the boards of both Triathlon Canada and Triathlon BC asking them to alter the criteria for, and to contribute to the Marc Duncan Memorial Bursary. I have not yet heard back from either. 

Below is a copy of the original letter:  

Dear Board Members,

I am writing to you to request an action on your part with regards to reconciliation with our Indigenous people, specifically to prioritize Indigenous youth applying for the Marc Duncan Bursary.

In 1992, Marc Duncan, a young Cree man made the Canadian team to attend World Championships in Australia as a Junior. He was an amazing athlete, friend, and teammate who brought laughter to all those around him.

He also, unfortunately, was the victim of institutional racism throughout his life. Among other organizations, he suffered shocking racism from the Vancouver Fire Department, the Vancouver Police Department, the Vancouver School Board, and also, Triathlon Canada.

As you may know, after competing at World’s in Australia, then ITU president, Les McDonald vouched for several Canadian team members who had forgotten their banquet tickets, but refused to vouch for Marc. Marc returned to his room, got his ticket and returned only to be told by Mr. McDonald that he could not enter because he was too drunk and made a comment about knowing an alcoholic when he saw one. For the record, in the year preceding this incident, Marc probably drank a maximum of 10 times and he never drank in the following year. I think it is safe to say that Mr. McDonald’s bias against Indigenous people was at play here and Marc was painfully aware that what he had thought of as his “safe” (from racism) place in the Triathlon World, had been breached. He was quite literally heartbroken. At this point, in his frustration, Marc took a swing at Les, but from what I’ve been told, did not connect. Mr. McDonald told Marc he was banned from representing Canada for a year and a teammate went back to the hotel with Marc to console him.

This turned what had been a magical experience of representing one’s country, and being part of an elite team, into a shameful nightmare for Marc. The triathlon world was the one place Marc had felt safe from racism. He had had great success competitively, and he had experienced camaraderie and even a sense of family. Being banned for a year meant that when he again made the Canadian Team the following year, he was not allowed to attend World’s. This lead directly to a serious depression for Marc and a downward spiral, arguably leading to his death. In his mind, he had lost the respect of those who mattered most to him: his triathlon community.

When Marc died the following year, most of the 200 people at his funeral were triathletes, and a scholarship was set up at the urging of his swim coach, Todd Clark. When it was first set up, I asked Triathlon BC if they would honour him by targeting First Nations youth with the scholarship. I was told no. I understand that this scholarship is still in existence and while my family has wanted to contribute to it, we have not been able to bring ourselves to support it without it recognizing his ancestry and the accompanying challenges he faced because of it.

These past few months, with the remains of Indigenous children being uncovered, I have been thinking a lot about Marc, my part in the reconciliation process, and of the institutional racism he experienced over his short lifetime.

I ask that in the spirit of reconciliation, Triathlon BC change the Marc Duncan Bursary criteria to be one that gives Indigenous applicants priority to the bursary and that Triathlon Canada contribute to the fund annually, or make a similar federal bursary in his name. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report from 2015 outlined the need for greater access to sport for Aboriginal children. Section 88 calls for action “to ensure long term Aboriginal athlete development and growth”. Section 89 calls for action to “reduce barriers to sports participation, (and) increase the pursuit of excellence in sport”. Section 90 calls for action to “ensure that national sports programs, policies, and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples” including “an elite athlete development program for Aboriginal athletes”. Have your organizations made any progress in these areas? Perhaps this could be one step towards these goals.
I ask you, how many Indigenous youth are taking part in triathlons in BC and Canada? How many are deterred by the cost of gear? Or the cost of joining a swim club? I ask, what steps can you take in facing institutional racism? How many potential Indigenous Canadian triathletes have missed their calling due to accessibility issues?
Changing the scholarship to prioritize Indigenous candidates feels like a very small ask, and yet could be hugely impactful for an individual youth in the way that triathlons were for Marc.

Marc was a beautiful human and I cannot think of a better way to honour both his memories and his wounds than to honour his ancestral heritage by helping Indigenous kids facing similar barriers. We as a society, and as a sporting community can do better. I hope you agree.

Sincerely,
Signy Bjarnason