Hate Crime Against Aboriginal Day

The media wasn't much interested in promoting Aboriginal Day although it is now government sanctioned as much as media wants to cooperate with celebrating power over the indigenous people of this part of the continent. I wonder....

Greetings to all,

On this day when we are to celebration the great and rich heritage and culture of the aboriginal peoples, we, the members of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Algonquin First Nations, have become victims of a hate crime.




I am deeply saddened by this - I have no words to describe the sorrow that my spirit and heart are carrying at this moment.

My heart is wounded, but my spirit is not broken, I appeal to you for help. As a community member, as a mother, as a grandmother, to you my brothers and sisters in culture and spirit, I am seeking your help - sometime during the night, my community, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg has become the \victim of a hate crime, our Cultural Centre has been vandalized, with huge black paint swastika signs and with the wording "White Power" written completely around the entire building, furthermore, picnic tables and tents have been destroyed.




Just as our community was preparing for its aboriginal day celebration today, there is no celebration, our community is in tears, and I must say that this heinous crime also raises the issue of our safety and security of our people, our community. Please, I am asking you as brothers and sisters, to get this message out to media, to the public.

This crime must be reported to the public.

We need the media's attention on this devastating situation!

We need public attention and support.

If you have further questions, you may contact the Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre directly at: 819-441-1655, and ask for Sylvia, Anita, Rene or Gilbert,or you may contact me at 613-728-5999.

I Thank You for your attention to this message and for any help you can provide.

Claudette D. Commanda
Kitigan Zibi Algonquin Anishinabeg

Anyone with any information regarding the individuals who have done this should contact the Kitigan Zibi Police department at (819) 449-6000.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Dear Claudette, Sylvia, Anita, Rene, Gilbert and all at the Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre

On behalf of the Spirits Rising Memorial Society, I offer our support, prayers, love, light and healing to all in your community.

Seeing what happened to your beautiful cultural centre on television took my breath away. My heart is also wounded. What hurts you, hurts me.

We walk with you, our dear relatives, and share your great sorrow.

I believe we are living in the time of the Seventh Generation. There are the negative forces that want things to remain as they’ve been for the last five hundred years and I feel that the ‘ugly one’s’ actions against you are the result of their fears and inadequacies.

I’ve attached some beautiful words by Chief Crazy Horse to help to soothe your hearts. Together we will bring back the love and light of our beautiful people.

Love Light Healing Knowledge
Michelle x
10:46 pm
Reverend Dr. Victoria Marie (SisterSea) said…
Dear Claudette, Sylvia, Anita, Rene, Gilbert and all at the Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre,

My heart filled with pain as I read what happened at your cultural centre. I do not have the words to say how I feel but know that I am with you and send you love.

I will get the word out by posting your letter on my blogspot.
10:47 pm
Anonymous said…
I should read your blog more often, have there been any developments concerning this? Do you think it's too late to cross post this? I wish I had known about this last month I would have put it on the blog that day. Hope you're doing well Viki, LA is good and the Worker here is even better. I'll see you soon.

Chris
8:29 pm
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