‘Unacceptable and disgusting’: Support pours in for Oilers’ Bear after alleged racist social media comments

EDMONTON (CityNews) — Oilers defenceman Ethan Bear has allegedly been receiving racist messages on his social media following Edmonton’s first-round playoff loss to the Winnipeg Jets this week.

In a social media post, Bear’s girlfriend Lenasia Ned says the Oilers player, who is Indigenous, has been receiving hateful, racist messages by fans.

Fans are apparently blaming Bear, who made a mistake in Edmonton’s triple overtime loss in Game 4, for the Oilers’ four-game sweep in the playoffs.

“Ethan has received numerous racist messages and comments,” wrote Ned in a message posted to her Facebook and Instagram. “To hide behind a screen is cowardly. But to use stereotypes against him as an Indigenous person is dehumanizing and awful!!

“We will not be silenced. We will not except (sic) this behaviour. It’s 2021 we are all equal and this needs to stop.”
Many of the replies to the initial post were overwhelmingly positive. Ned said Bear appreciates the love and support from everyone else.

“Ethan has broken countless barriers as an Indigenous man to make it to the NHL,” she wrote. “He is human. We understand there is criticism but there is no room for racism.”

Ethan Bear's girlfriend shared this post after she said he received racist messages on his social media – adding that he appreciates the love and support from everyone else. #yeg #oilers #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/7uwHShsHlj

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) May 26, 2021

Oilers GM Ken Holland addressed the alleged incident in his year-end media availability on Wednesday, saying he would reach out to Bear to offer any support needed.

“It’s totally unacceptable and disgusting,” said Holland.

"It's totally unacceptable and disgusting" @EdmontonOilers GM Ken Holland on any racist comments towards Ethan Bear..

— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) May 26, 2021

Bear is one of a small handful of active Indigenous players in the NHL, a list that includes Montreal Canadiens star netminder Carey Price and Stanley-Cup winner T.J. Oshie of the Washington Capitals.

In a letter issued prior to Holland’s press conference, Alberta’s Treaty No. 6 Chiefs said they were appalled at the racism directed towards Bear.

“The Chiefs condemn this act of violence toward Ethan, and are concerned by the lack of response by the Edmonton Oilers for not responding to this critical issue. Far too often our athletes and people are subject to acts of racial slurs and inappropriate derogatory language referencing the race of our people in sports.

“We call upon the National Hockey League to immediately take action to address this conduct of racism and hate towards First Nations people, especially at this time toward Ethan.”

Several took to social media to show their support of Bear, including former players, journalists, broadcasters and politicians.

Former NHLer Andrew Ference, who captained the Oilers for two seasons before retiring, said hockey had no place for racist fans.

“Ethan Bear is a very good hockey player. Lift him up and he will be an integral part of any success the Oilers have in the future.

“More importantly, Ethan Bear is an incredible human. If you’re sending racist remarks his way, you’re just a [expletive]. Hockey doesn’t want you.”

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Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley also expressed her support of Bear.

“Ethan Bear, you’re an amazing athlete and ambassador for our community,” she tweeted. “You played so hard for the Oilers this year and have inspired so many youngsters. There is no place for racism in Edmonton. We must all be anti-racist.”

CityNews reached out to the Jets organization regarding the comments. True North Sports + Entertainment, the owner of the Jets, directed us back to a statement issued Thursday regarding racism in general, in which they said the murder of George Floyd was a “tragedy” and a “seminal moment in history that significantly raised awareness for issues of racism, social justice, diversity, and equity.”

My colleagues in Winnipeg reached out to the Jets organization regarding the racist comments directed towards Ethan Bear after the Jets knocked the Oilers out in the playoffs.

True North directed them back to their statement yesterday regarding racism in general.#yeg #oilers pic.twitter.com/NFmyl57c51

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) May 26, 2021