Shirt stolen from Indigenous memorial in Kitchener
Waterloo regional police are investigating a theft from a cultural display set up at The Healing of the Seven Generations in downtown Kitchener.
The display of red dresses and shirts is set up on the organization’s front lawn for missing and murdered Indigenous people. Each post has one person’s story attached, along with a clothing item.
On Thursday morning when staff member Serena Wesley arrived at work, she noticed one of the items was missing.
“One of the poles was empty that had one of our T-shirts on it, and it was for a young man,” Wesley explained.
“We had a T-shirt up there for him and we had put a hole in it and put a zip tie through it so no one could take it, so whoever took had to rip it right off the pole.”
Wesley explained that the display is a memorial.
“We have stories on every pole and for us – one of the poles is my mom – so it’s to honour them, to give them a voice and to educate people,” Wesley said.
Staff reported the theft to police.
In an emailed statement, WRPS said it’s believed the theft took place between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday.
“Due to the cultural significant of the stolen item, WRPS’s General Investigative Unit and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Unit are involved in the investigation,” WRPS said.
Wesley said it’s not the first time one of their displays has been altered.
“Last year we did have another incident that we did not report. We had a lady that came on the property during the day. It was on the weekend. She picked one dress off, looked at it, I guess decided she didn’t like it, put it back and grabbed one of the other dresses and took it,” Wesley said.
“The shirts and dresses don’t have any value to them – there’s no cost – it’s just what they stand for, what they represent. So it’s just hurtful.”
Wesley said whoever took the item likely knew what they were doing.
“You’re standing right in front of someone’s story and you decided to rip that shirt off that pole that was supposed to give that person a voice,” Wesley said.
“We’re an organization that if you were really in need of a T-shirt, we would give you one.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Waterloo Regional Police Service or CrimeStoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pharmacare bill passes in the House of Commons, heads to the Senate
The Liberals' pharmacare bill is headed to the Senate after passing third reading in the House of Commons.
National Bank of Canada seizes Ont. woman’s car by mistake
A university student woke up one morning to find her car had been towed away without warning. She finally got answers - just not the ones she expected.
More Canadians are moving to the U.S. Here's one of the main reasons, according to an immigration expert
Recent data from the U.S. census revealed that more than 126,000 people moved from Canada to the U.S. in 2022. An expert said that one of the main reasons for this move is the cost of living.
MPs 'wittingly' took part in foreign interference: national security committee
Some MPs began 'wittingly assisting' foreign state actors soon after their election, says a report released Monday, including sending confidential information to Indian officials.
Her gut was producing alcohol. Doctors didn't believe her
For two years doctors told her she was an alcoholic. Then they realized her gut was making alcohol from carbohydrates, a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome.
Bus carrying Quebec tourists crashes in Cuba, leaving 1 dead and 26 injured
One person is dead and 26 were injured after a bus carrying Quebec tourists was involved in a collision in Cuba on Sunday.
Here's how far B.C. drivers must keep from cyclists, pedestrians under new law
A new law protecting cyclists and pedestrians in British Columbia takes effect Monday, establishing minimum distances that drivers must keep from so-called vulnerable road users.
N.L. becomes latest province to eye stricter tobacco regulations
Newfoundland and Labrador has floated an eyebrow-raising trial balloon in a bid to further the public health fight against tobacco and nicotine.
Forest bathing: What it is and why some Alberta doctors recommend it
Many people are familiar with the benefits of being in nature, but forest therapy goes a step further than a simple walk in the woods.