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An Indigenous woman has alleged that she was the subject of a racial slur at work.

The alleged smear was about the stereotype of a drunken aboriginal person.

“Go get drunk,” Rhonda Grant was allegedly told by a female co-worker known only as Preya.

The alleged incident happened at one of the locations of Absolute Spa, a well-known health-improvement chain in the Vancouver area.

Grant has filed a complaint before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, claiming she was discriminated against in her employment because of her race.

“She also alleges that the management instructed her to stay away from the front desk where clients could see her, was given a disproportionate amount of clean‐up tasks contrasted with having her hours cut and not being booked for client appointments,” according to tribunal member Emily Ohler.

The tribunal has yet to hear Grant’s complaint, and her allegations have not been proven.

Ohler cited some of the complaint’s background in reasons for decision on Grant’s application to get the contact information of the person who allegedly told her to “go get drunk”.

The person is no longer working with Absolute Spa, and is known only to Grant as Preya.

The person Preya, who is referred to as the Other Respondent, cannot be served with a notice of the complaint because her address is not known.

“She alleges that the Other Respondent swore at her, spoke to her aggressively, and invoked a harmful racial stereotype telling her to ‘go get drunk’ in response to a simple question,” Ohler wrote.

Absolute Spa opposed the application, citing privacy reasons.

Ohler ruled in Grant’s favour, noting that the change in Preya’s relationship with Absolute Spa “cannot…immunize her from potential culpability for the conduct complained of”.

“In the same way that the Tribunal orders disclosure of contact information for witnesses or requires third parties to disclose relevant information, I am satisfied it will facilitate the just and timely resolution of this complaint for the relief sought to be granted,” Ohler wrote.

The consumption of alcohol among Indigenous peoples is a complicated picture.

Statistics Canada has compiled health indicators for First Nations living off reserve, Metis, and Inuit.

“All three groups were more likely to drink heavily than non-Aboriginal people,” the statistics agency noted. “Focusing on heaving drinking, however, masks a more complex reality.”

“Among these groups, for instance, there were high rates of people who did not drink. That is, 34% of Inuit and 29% of First Nations people did not consume alcohol in the past year compared with 24% of non-Aboriginal people,” Statistics Canada stated.

In January 2016, the federal Chief Public Health Officer released a report about alcohol consumption in Canada.

“Findings from the First Nations Regional Health Survey (2008-10) indicate that the rate of reported alcohol consumption for First Nations living on reserve is lower compared to the general Canadian population,” according to the report.

“However, the rate of reported heavy drinking is higher than the Canadian rate,” the report continued. “Approximately 35% of First Nations adults living in First Nations communities did not drink in the past year, but of those who did drink, more than 60% drank heavily.”

“First Nations youth living in First Nations communities are less likely to drink, with approximately 60% saying they did not drink in the past year,” the report went on. “For those youth who did drink, approximately 50% drank heavily.”

In addition to Absolute Spa and Preya, Kristen Martin and Amanda Kuiack, manager and supervisor, respectively, were named in the complaint.

“The Respondents deny the allegations and put forward non‐discriminatory explanations for the front desk comments, lessened hours, clean‐up duties, and client booking allegations,” Ohler wrote. “With respect to the allegations against the Other Respondent, the Respondents acknowledge Ms. Grant reported the alleged incident, and say that management spoke with the Other Respondent telling her the comments ‘were completely inappropriate’.”