The chief of the Skeetchestn Indian Band has offered a reward of $500 in exchange for information about who cut down their band’s welcome sign.
The sign was only erected last week about one kilometre outside of Savona, B.C.
Chief Ronald Ignace said the sign was cut down on Sunday, which was National Aboriginal Day. “We’re quite upset about it,” he said.
Ignace took photos of the sign, showing a clean and level cut at the base. “The posts that hold it up are about two feet square practically,” said Ignace. “It’s a deliberate act because they marked where it was going to be cut so that it would be level when it fell. They were very careful and deliberate.”
“We take it has a hate crime because it happened on Aboriginal Day.”
Ignace said they have reported it to the Kamloops RCMP and he is personally offering the reward in the hopes someone comes forward with information.
“Other people have also put forward money for the reward as well,” he added. “Our community is shocked and horrified by this act but on the other hand, I see the support.”
The Skeetchestn Indian Band is holding a council meeting on Tuesday and Ignace said they will be replacing the sign.
Anyone with information on what happened is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000.
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