A Treaty 8 Tribal Association building in Fort St. John was defaced with racist graffiti, sparking condemnation from Indigenous leaders and local officials. The spray-painted message, scrawled beneath an B次元官网网址淓very Child MattersB次元官网网址� banner, read B次元官网网址淔--- ur kids,B次元官网网址� with swastikas on either side.
Shona Nelson, Band Manager at Doig River First Nation and a Treaty 8 member, shared the incident on LinkedIn, saying the vandalism underscores the persistence of anti-Indigenous racism. B次元官网网址淩acism [is] alive and well in our community, and no political will exists from government officials to stand up against racism and extremism,B次元官网网址� she wrote. B次元官网网址淎pparently, freedom of expression only applies when you are hate-mongering and giving voice to violence by the B次元官网网址榝ar right and far out.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
The Treaty 8 Tribal Association represents six First Nations in northeastern B.C., encompassing Sicannie (Sikanni), Slavey, Beaver (Dane-Zaa), Cree, and Saulteau linguistic groups.
The act was met with swift condemnation from local and provincial officials. Jordan Kealy, Conservative MLA for Peace River North, called it a B次元官网网址渄isappointing attackB次元官网网址� on the community in a Facebook post.
B次元官网网址淭hese acts of racism and violence against members of our community take away from who we really are and the future we are all striving for. Hate fuels division,B次元官网网址� he wrote.
Kealy urged residents to reject hatred, saying, B次元官网网址淲e need to do better. And that starts by lifting each other up, not tearing others down. I hope our community can be the great place we know it CAN be, where people can be proud to call the North Peace home, and everyone in it our neighbours.B次元官网网址�
Fort St. John Mayor also denounced the vandalism, expressing B次元官网网址渄eep sadness and disappointmentB次元官网网址� on behalf of the city council.
B次元官网网址淭his unacceptable act goes against the values of respect, inclusion, and unity we strive to uphold in our community,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭here is no place for hate in our city. These actions seek to divide us, incite fear, and negate the progress we have made in building relationships with Indigenous communities.B次元官网网址�
He reaffirmed the cityB次元官网网址檚 solidarity with the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, stating, B次元官网网址淲e must all work together to ensure that Fort St. John is a place where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. Acts of hate will not define us; our response to them will.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭o those responsible, your actions do not represent who we are as a community, and we trust that you will be held accountable.B次元官网网址�
Christine Boyle, B.C.'s Indigenous relations minister also condemned the vandalism, saying that Treaty 8 is a "critical part of B.C.'s work to advance reconciliation."
Meanwhile, Jewish human rights group BB次元官网网址檔ai Brith Canada says the graffiti showcases how the swastika is being used against a variety of racialized groups, and it calls for a national ban on the public display of the emblem of the Nazi Party.
Black Press Media has reached out to the Treaty 8 Tribal Association and local RCMP detachment for comment.
- With files from The Canadian Press
