WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg daycare is fighting back against racist letters it’s received.
On two separate occasions, the St. Norbert Children’s Centre got an anonymous letter telling them to change their name to St. Nigeria Day care because they serve mostly “Afro-Nigerian kids” and have Nigerian staff.
“I was shocked,” said Naomi Nicholson, who sends her 10 month old baby, Parker, to the daycare, “Especially the way it starts, ‘St. Norbert Child Centre is changing its name to the St. Nigeria Daycare Centre’, right off the bat you think racial, prejudice right there.”
The letters were left in the daycare’s mailbox on Friday of last week and again on Monday.
“I don’t think it’s exclusive for ‘Afro-Nigerian kids’, Parker being a prime example,” said Nicholson.
Executive Director Avril Coutou says it’s racist and not accurate.
“I am not ‘Afro-Nigerian’, haven’t been there, don’t know where it is,” said Coutou, “Well somebody has a lot of spare time on their hands, somebody needs to have a life.”
“We are certainly looking into this matter,” said Det. Sgt. Natalie Aitken, with the Winnipeg Police Service, “We realize that this would be concerning to anybody.”
Coutou says they have taken the letters to Winnipeg Police but are increasing security at the daycare.
“They’re not to open that door unless they know who’s on the other side and the reason for their visit,” said Coutou.
The Centre is also going to install security cameras at all 7 entrances and add more cameras when they can.
Coutou says the centre can’t afford to spend the money on the cameras but says they’re not taking any chances. She plans to apply for grants to pay for the security upgrade.
“What is the motivation behind this,” said Coutou, “Is it to close the daycare up? Is it to only have certain types of kids here? That’s not what we’re about.”
Currently 78 children attend the daycare from 5 months old to 5 years old.
Comments