Elder Jane Alice Dedam did not want the cashier fired for the comments. (Radio-Canada)

A traditional aboriginal forgiveness circle will be held next week for a young Co-op Atlantic cashier in Bouctouche accused of making racist remarks to an elder from the Elsipogtog First Nation.

Jane Alice Dedam said she didn't want to see the girl fired or punished for her Dec. 23 comments, so she suggested the alternative plan.

Co-op Atlantic's manager of public affairs called Dedam on Thursday to say the young girl has agreed to participate.

"She was elated, was so happy, because it is in her mind, also in her heart, a proof that people want to own up to their deeds, their actions," Romeo Cormier told CBC News.

"We're moving ahead in, I think, a very positive direction," he said.

The forgiveness circle is tentatively scheduled for next Friday, said Cormier.

Co-op Atlantic officials have declined to say whether the cashier will be fired. (Radio-Canada)

Earlier this week, Dedam said she had stopped at the Co-op, the southeastern village's largest grocery store, to pick up some last-minute items for Christmas.

She doesn't speak French and had difficulty understanding what the cashier was saying to her, but could tell something was wrong by the reaction of people around her, she said.

"Something about you being a stupid Indian, old stupid Indian or something like that,” Dedam recalled of what the cashier said.

A forgiveness circle would help reach out to the girl, rather than isolate her, or foster hatred, or resentment, Dedam has said.

Cormier declined to say whether the cashier will keep her job.

He has previously said employees can face sanctions, such as being fired, or getting a negative comment on their employment record.