Skip to content

RCMP investigating sign at Pender school

Sunshine Coast RCMP are investigating after a sign was strung up between the welcome poles at Pender Harbour Elementary-Secondary School threatening to cut down totems if “George, Stanley or John A” are touched – an apparent reference to recent movem

Sunshine Coast RCMP are investigating after a sign was strung up between the welcome poles at Pender Harbour Elementary-Secondary School threatening to cut down totems if “George, Stanley or John A” are touched – an apparent reference to recent movements to remove statues of some historical figures.

RCMP said they seized the banner on July 7 and are reviewing surveillance video from the school.

Suspect 1
RCMP are asking for the public's help identifying the suspect shown in this security camera photo

"Given the sensitive nature of this threat, police are working diligently to locate a suspect and are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the person in the surveillance video," said Const. Jihan McDougall in a press release that also included photos from the surveillance video. "There is no tolerance for this type of behaviour and we will work very hard to find the person responsible."

In a statement from the shísálh Nation, Chief Warren Paull said: “Racism exists here on the Sunshine Coast, as it does elsewhere. And as always, racism will be confronted for what it is — as an expression of ignorance and hate that must be completely rejected in all forms.”

Shíshalh Coun. Selina August said there have also been messages of support.

"While we woke up ... to hurtful news of racist incidents, we are also met with the love, support, and generosity of British Columbians from all walks of life who wish to see true reconciliation become the reality across this country,” August said in the statement.

Several Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors also addressed the incident at their July 9 board meeting.

Leonard Lee, the director for Pender Harbour, was blunt in describing the banner as racist and threatening. 

“It really upset me,” Lee said. “It was threatening to a large portion of our local residents, many of whom are my relatives and lifelong friends... I’m proud to say it was widely condemned by our local community and there’s no place for it anywhere, especially in Pender.”

Chief Paull, who represents the Nation on the SCRD board, thanked the directors for their support.

“It was a bit of a gut blow to the membership,” Paull said. “But when people started seeing all the positive comments and the support, it certainly took away the gravity of the acts of a very ignorant few... Thank you for calling it out and saying it’s intolerable and we’re not going to accept it.”

Police are also investigating the vandalism of highway signs featuring the shíshalh Nation name for Madeira Park, salalus. It’s not clear at this point if the two incidents are linked.

The statement from the shísálh Nation said the word “conquered” was spray-painted on one sign.

– With files from Sophie Woodrooffe and Canadian Press.