Marlene Roy, the executive director of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association in northeastern B.C., was shocked to discover swastikas and profanities spray painted on her office building in Fort St. John after finishing meetings on Sunday. The incident, now under investigation by the Fort St. John RCMP as a potential hate crime, has sparked outrage and condemnation at both the local and provincial levels.
As staff worked to remove the graffiti, a passerby shouted “Heil Hitler,” adding to the distressing nature of the situation. Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen and British Columbia’s Indigenous relations minister, Christine Boyle, have both strongly denounced the vandalism, labeling it as racist and unacceptable.
The use of the Nazi swastika has drawn criticism from groups like B’nai Brith Canada, who are calling for a national ban on its public display. Roy, familiar with facing anti-Indigenous sentiments, emphasized the importance of speaking out against racism and promoting cultural education.
Despite the incident, Roy has found solace in the outpouring of support from the community, with offers to paint murals on the building to deter future acts of vandalism. The message from Roy and her supporters is clear: standing up against hate is crucial in creating a more inclusive and respectful society.