Trigger warring The following story contains references to hate symbols and racism, which some readers may find distressing.
Less than a week after the “Every Child Matters” barrier at Port Alberni’s Orange Bridge was vandalized for a second time, a third incident has now been reported.
Tseshaht First Nation says between one and two o’clock in morning today January 21st, the barrier was again defaced this time with racist language and swastikas painted on the bridge pillars.
Tseshaht leaders say there is no place for hate in Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island, or anywhere in the world.
The Orange Bridge holds deep significance for Survivors of the Alberni Indian Residential School, which closed in 1973.
For decades, the bridge marked a painful boundary for many children forced to attend the school.
In 2022, Tseshaht First Nation worked with the Ministry of Transportation to repaint the bridge orange the colour of Orange Shirt Day and add the words “Every Child Matters,” creating a space of remembrance and healing.
Tseshaht acknowledges these acts may be deeply upsetting and triggering, noting the swastika is a symbol tied to genocide and ongoing anti-Semitism.
The Nation is urging community members to stand together, condemn hate, and seek support if affected.
Anyone who may have been affected can contact the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line 24/7 at 1 800 721 0066.
Comments