CITY OF NORTH BATTLEFORD CONDEMNS VANDALISM, SPRAY PAINTING OFKKK ON BILLBOARD The City of North Battleford strongly condemns the destruction of private property, in this case artwork produced by artists exploring the theme of reconciliation between Canadas aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, by vandals. This was a cheap and cowardly act and the message which was spray painted, which might be interpreted by a court to be hate literature, goes completely against the values of inclusion and tolerance which we in North Battleford believe and actively promote. The City of North Battleford is proud to have brought aboriginal and non-aboriginal artists together in two workshops, held June 24 and Aug 7, at The Chapel Gallery to dialogue about reconciliation between aboriginals and non-aboriginals and produce art. Sandra Semchuk, the project’s leader and workshop facilitator, is an associate professor from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design and is highly-regarded in artistic circles. In this case, the artists produced a work which communicates a powerful message about the relationship between Canadas aboriginal people and the rest of society. The City of North Battleford, which has not taken a stand on that message, appreciates Canadians constitutionally-protected freedom of expression and stands by the artists right to communicate that message which is a fair and reasonable comment on a matter of public policy. It is difficult if not impossible to know what the vandal intended to communicate with this mindless graffiti. Was he or she making a statement about the artworks message? Was this intended to be racist against aboriginals or non-aboriginals? Similar graffiti has been written on the walls of public toilets so it might simply be that the artwork was just a surface of convenience for a vandal with nothing more on his or her mind than causing damage. If the vandal’s intention was to foster hated, then he or she has failed because this incident will only serve to strengthen our resolve as a community to work together for the good of all the residents of North Battleford and the region, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike. That - and to stop vandals from destroying private property with spray paint.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 21:06:14 +0000
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