Episode Overview
Theme:
This episode of the Ezra Levant Show delves into the controversy surrounding the Kamloops Indian Residential School and the claim that 215 children’s remains were found in unmarked graves. The main focus is a discussion about "Making a Killing," a new documentary from the BC political party 1BC, which challenges this narrative and explores the broader implications on Canadian society, politics, and reconciliation efforts. Ezra is joined by a panel including Dallas Brody (MLA and founder of 1BC), Professor Frances Widdowson (academic and critic of the accepted narrative), and Drea Humphrey (Rebel News journalist and documentary filmmaker).
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to the Documentary and Panel (03:04)
- Ezra Levant introduces the subject and panel, underlining the risks associated with questioning the Kamloops narrative—risking accusations of racism or denialism, even threats to careers.
- Notable Quote:
“Politicians actually proposing to make it a crime to disagree—a crime to seek more facts before concluding that indeed 215 children were killed there, let alone at other places.” (04:25, Ezra Levant)
2. Dallas Brody’s Political Journey & the Founding of 1BC (05:54)
- Dallas Brody explains being expelled from the BC Conservative Party for tweeting that no bodies had been found at Kamloops.
- Formation of 1BC as a response to what Brody views as the abandonment of truth by mainstream parties.
- Brody emphasizes speaking truth despite backlash:
- “Once you've walked through the fire of this, you basically get used to it and you understand that it goes with the territory. When you are speaking truth, you get called names.” (07:13, Dallas Brody)
3. Academic Suppression and Violence: Frances Widdowson's Experience (09:09)
- Professor Widdowson recounts being pushed out of Mount Royal University for her critical views on indigenization and the Kamloops narrative.
- Describes being physically assaulted during a campus event in Winnipeg (09:09–12:36).
- Discusses institutional complicity:
- “This is what happens when you demonize people and prevent them from examining the evidence which is associated with these claims.” (10:56, Frances Widdowson)
a) Police Response (or Lack Thereof)
- Despite multiple calls, Winnipeg Police did not respond to the assault (11:39–12:36).
- The university faculty association warning may have incited the violence.
4. Media and Narratives: CBC and Societal Pressure (14:10)
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Ezra plays a tense exchange between Widdowson and a CBC reporter, demonstrating media's role in pressuring dissenters to conform.
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Notable Excerpt:
- CBC Reporter: “I'm wondering why it's so important to you to discredit this.” (14:10)
- Widdowson: “I believe in the truth. I think the truth is important. Do you think the truth is important?” (14:17)
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Widdowson criticizes the CBC:
- “The pursuit of truth has been destroyed in universities, in journalism and so on.” (15:40, Frances Widdowson)
5. On-the-Ground Journalism: Drea Humphrey’s "The Buried Truth" (17:24)
- Drea recounts her journey to Kamloops to investigate the claims first-hand.
- She points out that initial media reports failed to ask basic questions, blindly accepting GPR (ground-penetrating radar) "findings".
- Describes the language shift in official reports from "children’s remains" to "probable graves" and “anomalies.”
- “It kept becoming more and more unbelievable… that good news that they had not found the bodies did not sweep across the nation.” (18:48, Drea Humphrey)
a) Encounter with the Kamloops Chief (20:14)
- Drea shares an unscripted moment from her documentary where the Chief shuts down questioning about excavation and funding.
- “If you asked any questions that didn't go along with the narrative, it was shut down.” (23:26, Drea Humphrey)
b) Pushback and Accusations of White Supremacy
- Explains that even legitimate questions are now painted as “white supremacist” or “denialism,” regardless of questioner’s own background.
6. The Distribution and Impact of "Making a Killing" (25:28)
- Dallas Brody outlines distribution plans for the documentary (private screening, website, social media, alternative platforms if censored).
- Trailer already received significant attention (500,000+ views) before full release.
- Brody frames the central aim:
- “This documentary is about the reconciliation industry, and how it has used Kamloops and other false narratives to basically trigger the surrender of Canada.” (27:13, Dallas Brody)
7. Policy Implications: DRIPA, UNDRIP, and the “Reconciliation Industry” (27:37)
- Discussion of how the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) could fundamentally shift Canadian law and property rights.
- Brody warns of large-scale land/resource transfers and cash payments justified by these narratives.
- “Article 26 requires that we give all land back to Aboriginal groups. There’s no qualifier there… All of these endeavors get funded indefinitely by the non-Indigenous governments.” (28:38, Dallas Brody)
8. The Entrenchment of Narrative vs. Public Opinion (29:56)
- Widdowson points to surveys showing some public skepticism growing, but says institutions and “Aboriginal industry” remain steadfast.
- Describes shift from universal to relative truth:
- “The Aboriginal industry has put in place this idea of relative truth, which is whatever the knowledge keepers believe to be true. And that is a very destructive idea.” (31:22, Frances Widdowson)
9. Consequences for Speaking Out: The Case of Lindsay Shepherd (32:11; 33:35)
- Drea highlights Lindsay Shepherd’s recent firing for (again) criticizing the Kamloops narrative—echoing Brody’s ejection from political caucus.
- “She was pregnant, just about to go on maternity leave and kicked to the curb for speaking to this issue.” (35:23, Drea Humphrey)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ezra Levant: “Politicians actually proposing to make it a crime to disagree—a crime to seek more facts…” (04:25)
- Dallas Brody: “Once you’ve walked through the fire of this, you basically get used to it… When you are speaking truth, you get called names.” (07:13)
- Frances Widdowson (to CBC): “I believe in the truth. I think the truth is important. Do you think the truth is important?” (14:17)
- Drea Humphrey: “It’s good news that not just at Kamloops… not a single body has been discovered to date.” (19:45)
- Frances Widdowson: “The Aboriginal industry has put in place this idea of relative truth…whatever the knowledge keepers believe… and that is a very destructive idea.” (31:22)
- Dallas Brody: “This documentary is about… how it has used Kamloops and other false narratives to basically trigger the surrender of Canada.” (27:13)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:04 – Introduction to the topic and panel
- 05:54 – Dallas Brody on founding 1BC and Kamloops controversy
- 09:09 – Frances Widdowson describes academic suppression and Winnipeg incident
- 14:10 – Clip: Widdowson vs CBC interviewer
- 17:24 – Drea Humphrey introduces her documentary and fieldwork
- 20:14 – Unplanned encounter with Kamloops Chief (audio excerpt)
- 23:26 – Brody, Humphrey discuss being shut down for challenging the narrative
- 25:28 – Brody on documentary’s release/distribution, early interest
- 27:37 – Discussion of UNDRIP and consequences for land/resource rights
- 29:56 – Public opinion, "relative truth" and institutional entrenchment
- 33:35 – Drea on Lindsay Shepherd’s firing and ongoing industry pushback
Summary & Takeaways
- The panel collectively argues that the Kamloops graves narrative lacks evidentiary support, yet dissenters face severe social, professional, and even physical reprisals.
- They critique mainstream media, academia, and government policy for enforcing a singular, emotionally charged narrative and for stifling debate through labels like “denialist” or “racist.”
- Panelists suggest massive political and economic consequences, especially relating to land rights, are tied to these narratives.
- Despite backlash, they see some shift in public opinion and continue to push for open scrutiny and dialogue, positioning their work as what they view as a service to truth and reconciliation.
For further information, the panel directs listeners to:
- MakingAKilling.ca for the documentary trailer/release
- KamloopsDocumentary.com for Drea Humphrey’s work
Episode Tone: Serious, combative, determined, and defiant—panelists present themselves as truth-seekers resisting mainstream suppression.
Recommendation: This summary provides a thorough overview for those interested in Canadian Indigenous issues, media criticism, and the debate around the Kamloops residential school narrative.
