The Institute for Public Education/BC condemns the vile act of racism directed at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc people on Sunday. We stand with the community and all Indigenous peoples, elders, survivors, and families who have been hurt by this reprehensible action. We are also thinking about the children and youth witnessing their community being threatened, their family histories being dismissed, and generational trauma being mocked.
Further, we are increasingly disturbed by the growing use of residential school denialism in public discourse; we believe it emboldens racists groups and threatening acts such as this. We call on all community members and organizations as well as local, provincial and national leaders to acknowledge that free speech must never include hate speech.
On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and every other day of the year, we recommit to honoring the survivors and those who didn’t return, pledge to learn their stories, and stand up to those who would threaten the safety and well-being of Indigenous communities.
Steve Cardwell,
Chairperson, IPE/BC
