BIPOC community says it's willing to serve, not judge in hockey case

Twowomen who resigned from Hockey P.E.I.'s discipline committee did so because they felt unsafe, according to the community advocacy group that acted as a liaison, but theystill want to helpHockey P.E.I. deal with racism in its ranks.

"We are willing to work with organizations like Hockey P.E.I., but we don't want to put our safety in jeopardy in any way," said Sobia Ali-Faisal, the executive director of BIPOC USHR (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour United for Strength, Home, Relationship).

Ali-Faisal said the two women were recruited by Hockey P.E.I. from her organizationafter initial meetings in December. But the women grew concerned when what they believed was an advisory role on race relationsturned out to be membership on the discipline and ethics committee of Hockey P.E.I.

"They found out that they were being expected to be a jury on this disciplinary process and they were very uncomfortable with that," said Ali-Faisal.

"Our members have faced negative backlash based on some of the things that we've done so there was a lot of nervousness around this."

Hockey P.E.I. is currently grappling with the Mark Connors case. Theyoung Black goalie from Halifax says he was the victim of racial slurs during a tournamentin Charlottetown last fall, andHockey P.E.I.'s handling of the matter has been widely criticized.

Connors and his father have said they feelHockey P.E.I.'s investigation of the incidents has taken far too long.

The recruitment of two members of BIPOC USHR was intended to be a step towardresolution.

BIPOCleaders say they want to help educatenot penalizethe people involved.

"We want to teach them what was wrong with what theydid and why that can't happen again," said TamaraSteele, the executive director of the Black Cultural Society of P.E.I.

"Any consequences or discipline that need to occur, that needs to come from them and not from the BIPOC community."

Hockey P.E.I. has acknowledged the harm done to the Black player who was the target of the slurs.A long-awaited independent report on the matter was completed earlier this year, and a disciplinary hearing for some of the young people involved took place last week.

Hockey P.E.I. has said the resignation of the two volunteers momentarily slowed the disciplinary process.

BIPOCUSHR is not naming the two women who stepped away from their roles with Hockey P.E.I.