Several shirts and a hoodie were removed from the ‘Every Child Matters’ display [Tout enfant compte] located outside the office of Healing of the Seven Generations in Kitchener, Ontario.
The display consists of four orange hooded shirts and hoodies representing the north, south, east and west. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the discovery of unmarked graves in the grounds of former residential schools across Canada.
The organization’s executive director Donna Dubie, told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo that two shirts were stolen last week when the display was set up and a child’s hooded sweatshirt was stolen Monday night.
The culprits of these thefts have not been identified, specified the director of this support organization for Aboriginal people. I want to believe in the goodness of allhe assured. I also believe that most likely is someone who does not understand the meaning of orange shirts.
Ms Dubie decided not to report the thefts to police, but could change her mind if the display suffered further damage or if more shirts were stolen.
The organization asked neighbors to watch and call the police if they see a thief or intruder disrespecting the exhibit. Donna Dubie also expects the thief (s) to understand that the exhibit honors Native victims. A member of his organization was willing to tell them the importance of the campaign Every child is important.
” If they really need a T-shirt, but can’t afford it, I’ll probably give it to them. They don’t have to steal it from the display. “
More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend church -run and government -funded residential schools between the 1870s and 1997.
With information from the CBC
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
