Musqueam First Nation banner vandalized in Vancouver
Posted February 25, 2021 8:44 am.
Last Updated February 25, 2021 8:45 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A culturally important site for the Musqueam First Nation in Vancouver has been the target of vandals.
Chief Wayne Sparrow says the c̓əsnaʔəm village site near Southwest Marine Drive and Hudson Street is one of the oldest in the country. Earlier this week, some signage on a fence surrounding it was ripped up and scribbled on.
Pictures of the vandalism show massive tears through the sign, as well as a note that reads, “This land was made for you and me!”
This happened today at cesnam, a Musqueam village site that is thousands of years old. I guess some people are not too happy that we are protecting what’s left of our history. Racism still exists in Vancouver. #vanpoli #bcpoli @MelissaDeGenova @kennedystewart @LisaDominato pic.twitter.com/iPH4ODfkgV
— Wade Grant (@WadeGrant) February 25, 2021
“The band’s always been trying to get the whole village site back. We’ve purchased back the Fraser Arms and then the c̓əsnaʔəm edge of the site up, which used to be an old garage, repair garage for mechanics,” he explained, noting the area contains a burial site.
Sparrow says while the site has been bought back, the community hasn’t decided exactly what its next steps for the piece of land — as well as the remains on it — will be.
“So we’ve been trying to keep it as pleasant as possible for the neighbours by grassing it, because like I said, it was an industrial area. So we grassed it and then we put the fence up,” Sparrow said.
A social media post suggests the vandalism took place on Wednesday.
While this latest instance took place this week, Sparrow notes this sort of thing happens all too often.
“A lot of people in the general public say, ‘Why do you have an Indian reserve? Why don’t you just live like us and forget your rights? We’re all Canadians and just live together.’ But [they] don’t know [about] our history and our culture … I guess the bottom line, it’s racism,” Sparrow told NEWS 1130.
City councillors denounced the hate on Twitter.
“I’m so sorry to see this Wade,” Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung wrote Wednesday, adding “Racism does exist here. And we need to call it out.”
Councillors Melissa De Genova and Lisa Dominato echoed that sentiment.
Meanwhile, Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee also weighed in, saying, “There is still so much left to do as we work together to fight racism in our community and work towards reconciliation.”
“This ancient site is also close to the crosswalk on Granville St., which raises awareness and visibility of the history and territory of the Musqueam,” Lee added.
There is still so much left to do as we work together to fight racism in our community and work towards reconciliation. This ancient site is also close to the crosswalk on Granville St., which raises awareness and visibility of the history and territory of the Musqueam. #bcpoli https://t.co/kwB8116bsS
— Michael Lee (@MichaelLeeBC) February 25, 2021
The Vancouver Police Department says a possible suspect was located the same day, arrested, and released as the investigation continues.
The VPD adds its Hate Crimes and Indigenous Liaison officers are now engaged.
