Social media raves over 18-year-old Saultite's question to party leaders during debate

Marek McLeod lauded on social media for quick recovery before questioning relationship between First Nations, federal government

18-year-old Saultite Marek McLeod posed a question about the relationship between First Nations and the federal government during Thursday's federal election debate. Screenshot

A Saultite is blowing up on social media after posing a question to party leaders during a nationally-televised federal election debate Thursday.

Marek McLeod, an 18-year-old student at the University of Ottawa and former councillor for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council in the Sault, asked party leaders about the relationship between First Nations and the federal government.

“Aanii, boozhoo. In the Ojibwe culture, trust and respect is key to any relationship,” said McLeod, before freezing on live television momentarily. “Oh, shoot.”

“You got it, Marek. Keep going,” the debate's moderator said to McLeod, encouraging him to continue.

McLeod, clutching an eagle feather, then proceeded to finish his question without missing a beat.

“How can I respect the federal government after 150-plus years of lies and abuse to my people? And prime minister, what will you do to rebuild the trust between First Nations and the federal government?”

McLeod - who was profiled on SooToday last year about his role as Indigenous Student Trustee for the Algoma District School Board - has made waves on social media since his appearance on Thursday’s debate:

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