An Indigenous employee with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is taking up the fight against what he describes as systemic racism by his employer.

Richard Agecoutay, 61, has been granted a human-rights hearing over claims of discrimination at the public broadcaster, where he91裸聊视频檚 worked since 2001.

It91裸聊视频檚 an effort to knock down barriers for others, he said in an interview.

91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 have to suffer systemic racism or racism in the workplace. You have avenues to pursue it.91裸聊视频�

Agecoutay, a videographer for CBC in Regina, alleges he has repeatedly been denied work due to his race, and that the broadcaster offered a settlement, but he would have had to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Documents filed with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal detail several instances in which Agecoutay said he was denied work.

The key allegation stems from 2012, when his complaint says a less-experienced white employee was chosen over him for a senior position at Hockey Night in Canada.

He says he was given 91裸聊视频渞acially charged91裸聊视频� reasons why 91裸聊视频� such as that he was a 91裸聊视频渓one wolf91裸聊视频� who did not 91裸聊视频渕ix well91裸聊视频� with others.

91裸聊视频淎s an Indigenous person, I stick out no matter what,91裸聊视频� Agecoutay said in the interview.

91裸聊视频淏ut I do all I can to mix well. I91裸聊视频檝e spent my whole life trying to mix well.91裸聊视频�

CBC filed a response with the tribunal denying the allegations, saying all videographers assigned to Hockey Night in Canada were given less work that year due to a shortened season.

The response does not dispute that the 91裸聊视频渓one wolf91裸聊视频� comment was uttered, but said the manager in question did not see the comments as related to race and later apologized.

Agecoutay, a member of Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan, said he was often the only Indigenous person in the room at CBC.

He said human-resources staff at the broadcaster and with his union, the Canadian Media Guild, did not take his concerns seriously.

The union, which also represents Canadian Press employees, did not respond to a request for comment.

91裸聊视频淭he experience was psychologically and emotionally devastating because the company had basically shut down my claims of discrimination, and that91裸聊视频檚 why I went to the Canadian Human Rights Commission,91裸聊视频� said Agecoutay.

He alleged that through one of the commission91裸聊视频檚 mediators, CBC offered him a settlement of $100,000 to drop the claim and asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement. He said he declined.

Asked to respond to a detailed list of allegations from Agecoutay, CBC said it would not discuss human resource matters that are in litigation.

91裸聊视频淐ompletely separate from the human rights tribunal case, in keeping with our workplace policy to address allegations of discrimination, CBC conducted a thorough investigation pertaining to Mr. Agecoutay91裸聊视频檚 assertions using a third-party investigator,91裸聊视频� spokesman Chuck Thompson said in a statement.

91裸聊视频淭here were no findings of any wrongdoing.91裸聊视频�

Legal filings show the commission referred Agecoutay91裸聊视频檚 case to the tribunal in 2021.

A hearing date has not yet been set.

His complaint outlines lost income he believes he would have received for assignments and personal consequences attributed to the alleged mistreatment, including depression and alcohol abuse.

To help him get through it, Agecoutay said turned to Indigenous ceremonies and sought the help of an elder, who encouraged him to pursue justice for himself and others.

91裸聊视频淗e said to me, 91裸聊视频楧on91裸聊视频檛 you dare quit.91裸聊视频� He said, 91裸聊视频業f you quit, they win.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�

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Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press