Photo courtesy FSIN.
The Chief of the Muskoday First Nation said she realizes there will always be racists, but she considers a sign hung on a bridge on their land particularly disturbing.
The message is that white lives matter, because they are the ones who pay the taxes, a pair of shoes also hung on the sign.
Chief Eva Bear explained the sign contains misconceptions, because their message has never been that white lives don’t matter.
She stressed that everyone matters, and added that there is also a misunderstanding that First Nations peoples don’t pay taxes.
The shoes, Bear said, are particularly disturbing, because shoes are the symbol used for the discovery of bodies at residential schools.
The incident has been reported to the RCMP.
Witnesses say they saw an unknown man put up the sign.
Bear hopes he will come forward to possibly join some ceremonies, or visit with First Nations peoples to hear first hand about their culture and history.
Muskoday First Nation is part of the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, said this racism is deplorable, and it has triggered those dealing with past traumas, he would however, like this to end in a positive way.
Arcand hopes the person or persons responsible will come forward, so he can learn more about First Nations peoples, which would be a true act of reconciliation.
(CJWW)
