Marek McLeod Says He 'Teared Up' After 'Overwhelming' Response To His Leaders' Debate Question
The 18-year-old spoke to Narcity and revealed who answered his memorable question best.
An overnight sensation! Eighteen-year-old Marek McLeod stole the hearts of people across the country during the English language federal leaders' debate when he got the opportunity to ask a question, and he revealed to Narcity how all the support he's gotten makes him feel.
During the part of the debate about reconciliation, McLeod began to speak but lost his train of thought. He said what sounded like "oh sh**" or "oh shoot" before remembering what he wanted to ask about rebuilding trust between First Nations and the federal government.
He told Narcity that in his head he said "oh sh**" but out loud it was "oh shoot" to keep it TV-friendly.
"A bit of my nervousness, it definitely showed. That's why I froze. It was overwhelming but I kind of moved from my head into my heart and that's how I was able to get the question through," McLeod said about his time at the debate.
After he asked his question, the 18-year-old saw the messages of encouragement and love directed at him on social media and said he "teared up" because of it. "The response has been overwhelming, to say the least," he said, noting that he even saw a meme someone made turning him into a Canadian Heritage Minute.
His question was, "How can I trust and respect the federal government after 150 plus years of lies and abuse to my people and as prime minister, what will you do to rebuild the trust between First Nations and the federal government?"
As for what he thinks of the response the leaders had to his question, McLeod told Narcity that he doesn't think any of them really answered it.
"The lack of an answer to me was really the only answer I needed," he said. "I wanted to test the leaders and see, well, is reconciliation something they actually care about."
He mentioned that it was disappointing because this is the number one issue for him since it affects him so much. His great grandparents went to residential school and his mother is a day school survivor. "It hits close to home," he said.
To everyone who tweeted about him, followed him on social media or sent him messages, McLeod wants to "give a huge hearty chi-miigwech" which means "big thank you." He said the reaction gave him a confidence boost and is really appreciated.