MP’s office, museum, RCMP headquarters targeted in rash of vandalism

WINNIPEG (CityNews) – A rash of vandalism overnight in Winnipeg has a local MP calling for action after his office–as well as RCMP headquarters and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights–was targeted.

The graffiti, which looks to be connected to Wet’suwet’en/Coastal Gaslink protests, comes the day after blockades across the country were dismantled.

“Shut down kkkanada”, “land back”, and profanities were spray-painted in big red letters at each of the three targeted sites. “Stolen land”, “u fail us”, and “do better” were scrawled on St. Boniface MP and Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal‘s office.

Recently a group of young people occupied his office for 11 days, to show their support towards the blockades. Vandal says it’s a tough time in our country’s history.

“Both sides are extremely frustrated. The public, the business, industries are frustrated and they are not getting the goods that they need. First Nations are frustrated because of historical maltreatment,” he said.

“It’s disappointing when that happens because the way out of this issue is dialogue, not through vandalizing something or violence.”

Police and first nations relationships remain tense as law enforcement and protestors stood opposite one another at blockades over the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project. But it was the red spray paint on the chest and face of a bronzed monument to honour fallen officers, that has raised the question: has this gone too far?

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Canadian Museum for Human Rights President and CEO John Young says the museum is an iconic landmark in Canada, which could explain why it was targeted. While the motivation of the vandals remains unclear, Young says it seems like a reflection of frustration and attempting to draw attention to something that matters.

“This is something that we need to wrestle with better as Canadians: the realities of colonization,” he said.

 

Clarence Nepinak says he was sad to see the graffiti when he came to perform a ceremony at the CMHR Wednesday morning. With conversations around reconciliation at the forefront, he says vandalism and graffiti only discourage dialogue.

“And I just pray for those people that did this that nothing besets them, that’s going to hurt them.”

The President of the Manitoba Metis Federation also weighed in on the vandalism, saying the Metis Government won’t endorse protestors who deface public property.

“Can we honestly say we know that’s what these protestors are supporting?” said David Chartrand.

“Imagine how the families of those officers who died in the line of duty must feel. Imagine the pain that will resurface when they see this monument vandalized. I shudder to think what lies around the corner. Will an actual life be lost in the name of protest?”

Meantime, the Assembly of Manitoba Cheifs (AMC) is calling for an immediate stop to acts of vandalism and offensive and racist comments directed at people participating in solidarity protests.

“I understand the range of increased tensions from confrontations and arrests, to hostilities and racist empowerment and abuse directed to First Nations in mainstream media and over social media networks that may lead to people acting out in this way,” said AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas in a release.

“But the onus is on us as First Nations people to continue to demonstrate in the ways of our ancestors and leaders before us. To push against the system in a way that is honourable and respectful. Desecrating the RCMP memorial that was erected in memory of Constable Dennis Strongquill, an Indigenous man who dedicated his life to protecting the people of Manitoba and making our communities safer is unacceptable.”

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Dumas goes on to say any more vandalism will further divide people on the issue at hand.

“It is only through peaceful demonstrations and accurate information that we are able to garner public support for the issue before us. As for the individuals calling for violence against these peaceful demonstrators, there is no room in this world for that kind of hatred or ignorance.”

Clean up efforts have already been completed at the CMHR and have started at RCMP headquarters.

Winnipeg Police say they investigating all three events as being linked but are not investigating it as a hate crime at this time.