In a distressing incident on the Montreal Metro, Tekahné:kake Stacey, a Kanien’kehá:ka woman from Kahnawà:ke, and her family faced a racist attack following their participation in an event marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Stacey’s nine-year-old nephew, who had performed a traditional smoke dance at the hospital, was targeted by a woman on the Metro for wearing his traditional clothing. The woman hurled insults and made derogatory remarks, causing the young boy to become upset and cry. Stacey captured the encounter on video and shared it on Facebook, but later deleted it due to negative comments.
Despite the distressing incident, Stacey expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support on social media. She mentioned that her nephew, who has always been proud of his heritage and traditional attire, was deeply affected by the encounter. Stacey emphasized that they would not pursue legal action against the perpetrator, as instances of racism are sadly familiar to Indigenous individuals. She highlighted the importance of resilience and pride in their cultural identity, noting that healing would be necessary for her nephew after such a traumatic experience.
