City, former MLA condemn racist graffitti
Anti-Indigenous racism is alive and well in Fort St. John, as evidenced by a pair of swastikas and vulgar language which appeared on the side of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association offices over the weekend.
Comments from a post on LinkedIn by Doig River First Nations Band Manager Shona Nelson, who posted a photograph of the graffitti, agreed with Nelson’s sentiments, condemning the incident and those who would perpetuate racism and “extremism”.
Former MLA Dan Davies said he is heart-broken and outraged by the incident.
“As someone who deeply values and respects our Indigenous communities and the diversity we see in our community, it’s deeply painful to witness such hatred and ignorance. These acts of racism are unacceptable at every level and should be condemned.”
Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen also spoke out on Tuesday, expressing the sadness and disappointment of city council, describing the vandalism as an act that “goes against the values of respect, inclusion and unity we strive to uphold in our community.”
Hansen’s statement went on to say that the “Treaty 8 Tribal Association represents the rich history, culture and contributions of First Nations people in our region. We stand in full solidarity with the Treaty 8 Tribal Association and all Indigenous peoples.”
Both Hansen and Davies said that everyone has a responsibility to work together and stand up against racism in all its forms, to ensure that our community is a place where everyone feels safe, valued and respected.
“To those responsible, your actions do not represent who we are as a community, and we trust that you will be held accountable,” Hansen said.