Last month, the Treaty 8 Tribal Association building in Fort St. John was defaced, with racist epithets—including a pair of swastikas—scrawled on the front of the building.
Now the District of Tumbler Ridge has released a public statement to “Condemn all Forms of Racism, Discrimination, and Hate Speech.”
It reads as follows:
“THAT the District of Tumbler Ridge stands firmly against all forms of racism, discrimination, and hate speech in any capacity – whether in speech, writing, verbal expression, graffiti, or vandalism. We condemn acts of racism and discrimination directed towards any individual or community.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent events at the Treaty 8 Tribal Association building in Fort St. John. We recognize these events’ impact on communities and all residents of Tumbler Ridge and the Peace Region.
“The District of Tumbler Ridge believes in fostering a community built on respect, inclusion, and reconciliation. As a municipality, we reaffirm our commitment to upholding these values and working collaboratively with all communities to ensure safety, understanding, and unity. We encourage all residents to stand together against racism and discrimination and to continue to building a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community for all.”
B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish rights advocacy group, posted that “The recent use of the Nazi swastika to deface the Treaty 8 Tribal Association building in Fort St. John, BC, is yet another stark reminder that the Nazi swastika represents the worst of society.”
They are calling for a ban on Nazi symbolism across the country. “In recent years, Nazi iconography has surfaced with alarming frequency in the public sphere, used by an increasing number of groups and individuals to promote hate and instill fear within Canadian society,” says the petition, at www.bnaibrith.ca/nazi-swastika-petition/.
“Since the atrocities of WWII, the Nazi swastika has become universally synonymous with systematic violence, terror and hate. Its growing presence in our country poses a threat to every single Canadian citizen, undermining the core values of equality, diversity, and inclusion that define our nation. Eighteen countries have already taken action to ban these symbols. It is imperative that Canada follow suit.”
The incident in Fort St. John is being investigated by the RCMP as a hate crime.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
