Editor:
I'm a tourist passing through Prince Rupert on a month long journey of the west coast, and I happened upon a piece written by Todd Hamilton, the publisher of your little newspaper, entitled Any bear hunting ban must apply to all.
As someone who works in a small First Nations community in Canada's north, I am both shocked and affronted by the language and ignorance demonstrated in the piece by Mr. Hamilton. After generations of genocide, and the theft of land, resources and wildlife from First Nations by whites just like him, his language demonstrates a cultural insensitivity unacceptable in any conversation - let alone from the publisher of a local rag.
I request that Mr. Hamilton be required to take cultural sensitivity training, as in my view that piece demonstrates ignorance and undertones of racism that are unacceptable in any community, let alone a community where First Nations play such an integral part.
If you are unable to accommodate this request, then I will be taking my complaint to both Black Press and the BC Press Council.
First Nations deserve a remarkable amount of respect from Caucasians such as Mr. Hamilton - we have a lot of reparations to make.
Sadly Mr. Hamilton has tainted what was otherwise a wonderful visit to your city.
Laird Herbert,
Mt. Lorne, Yukon