New Indigenous-led centre vandalized in Kitchener

Kitchener’s Willow River Centre has been vandalized, less than a week before National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Land Back Camp’s new permanent gathering space is the first in Waterloo Region to be completely run by TwoSpirit and IndigiQueer individuals.

Waterloo Regional Police Service stated in a release that an unknown person wrote on the exterior of the building with chalk on Sunday night.

Co-director Amy Smoke told CityNews Land Back Camp believes they know who it is.

“Because of the mounting hate and aggression and racism and homophobia that’s just clear across the country, it’s not something we’re surprised about,” said Smoke. “It’s just devastating. We haven’t even opened our doors to the public yet.”

Smoke said two messages that are specifically targeted at them and another co-director have been removed. One message that still remains says Land Back Camp “took [money] from white guilt.”

“We’ve been seeing this coming for a very long time and this is why we do what we do and why we look to our allies and supporters to stand up for us when we’re not in the room and when we’re not in those spaces,” said Smoke.

Willow River Centre is set to open its doors to the public on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those looking to support Land Back Camp can find ways to do so HERE.