Nahanni Fontaine Apologizes After Hot Mic Criticism of ASL Interpreter
Today, I want to talk about a situation that has sparked a lot of discussion—an incident involving Manitoba's Minister of Accessibility, Nahanni Fontaine. It all unfolded during what was supposed to be a celebratory event for Indigenous women graduating from high school, college, and university. The event featured an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter on stage to ensure the ceremony was inclusive for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. However, what happened off-stage quickly became the center of attention.
After delivering her speech, Fontaine stepped away from the podium and engaged in what she likely thought was a private conversation with her press secretary, Ryan Stelter. Unfortunately, the microphone was still hot. During their exchange, Fontaine expressed her frustration over the interpreter's presence on stage, saying that she found the hand movements distracting and that the interpreter shouldn’t have been there. At one point, she even said, “Jesus, I’m like ‘you need to leave’,” referring to the interpreter.
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The conversation was caught on video by APTN News, and when they reached out to the government for comment, they were initially met with reluctance—requests to verify the footage before issuing a statement. But once the clip aired publicly, Fontaine issued an apology. She acknowledged that her comments were inappropriate and reflected poorly on her understanding of accessibility and inclusion. She stated that her remarks were born out of frustration with her own event planning and not a reflection of the value of sign language or the interpreter’s work.
In her apology, Fontaine made it clear she understands the essential role ASL plays for thousands of Manitobans and reaffirmed her commitment to improving accessibility. She even reached out directly to the interpreter, Sheryl LaVallee, to apologize and hear her feedback. Fontaine also emphasized that sign language is not merely “hand movements” but a rich and complex language that deserves full respect.
It’s worth noting that just last month, her own government announced significant funding—over $400,000—to support and modernize ASL-English interpretation programs. So, the irony of this incident wasn’t lost on the public.
What this moment really highlights is how crucial it is for leaders—especially those in roles related to accessibility—to not only support inclusion in policy but also practice it in every action and word. Fontaine’s quick apology is a step in the right direction, but it also serves as a reminder of how deeply representation and respect matter, especially for communities that have historically been overlooked or marginalized.
Hopefully, this incident will lead to better awareness, not just from Minister Fontaine, but from all public officials tasked with shaping inclusive spaces. Mistakes happen, but accountability and learning must follow.
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