‘People stay silent’: Treaty 8 executive director reacts to vandalism

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A stark reminder of division between the non-Indigenous and Indigenous communities was prevalent in Fort St. John over Family Day weekend.

The Treaty 8 Association’s offices in the downtown core were vandalized with swastikas, a neo-nazi symbol, and profanity on Sunday, February 16th.

In the ensuing days, reaction to the images has been swift. City Mayor Lilia Hansen stated Fort St. John has “no place for hate,” and provincial minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Christine Boyle said such displays “take us backwards” in the movement toward reconciliation.

In addition, the RCMP is investigating the act as a hate crime.

However, for the Indigenous community, it’s another reminder of the deep racism even in 2025 still existing within the city limits.

Treaty 8 executive director Marlene Roy grew up in Fort St. John, and has served in some capacity in the organization since 2008.

According to Roy, volunteers were at the building planning the annual Spirit of the Peace Pow Wow on the weekend of the incident.

After heading home from planning the event at the offices, Susan Auger texted her to alert her to the graffiti. She alleges it likely happened in broad daylight.

“The sad thing is that if it really did happen in the broad daylight,  [if someone] had seen it, nobody said anything,” said Roy. “[Racism] is so accepted. People stay silent.”

“No one speaks up.  We talk and talk about educating people, but if people don’t want to learn, they’re not going to learn.”

Roy’s parents were residential school survivors.  What seethed more, is the vandalism was underneath the organization’s “Every Child Matters” sign. 

“We require action,” said Roy. “We always talk about showcasing Aboriginal culture as part of educating and learning. Last year, we were planning a National Aboriginal Day ceremony on June 21st, but the school district said it was their graduation, and they couldn’t change [the date].”

Roy said in the days since the incident, there has been an outpouring of support from the town, including an offer to paint a mural on the wall. 

However, she described reconciliation as “words with no action” and more needs to be done to ensure Indigenous people in the community are a priority.

“Our community needs to be safe, and for it to be a happy place again,” said Roy.  “We need to own it.  It can’t be a small handful of people trying to keep trying to make it safe.”

“If you want to learn about the Indigenous community, read about residential schools. They existed. Come to our events, and join us when we do things. It’s about getting out there.”

“If you see a person being mistreated, step in and say something. If not, you’re just as guilty being silent.” 

Anyone with surveillance footage about the incident or witnesses is asked to call the Fort St. John RCMP at (250) 787-8140.