This is an excerpt from the Comox Valley newsletter. Sign up to receive local news and events in your inbox every Wednesday.
K’ómoks First Nation said in a Sept. 4 news release that the nation is against a performance coming to the Comox Valley by “comedy” group The Danger Cats. The group is reportedly known to have ties to the far-right extremist group Diagalon and is performing in a secret location in the Comox Valley on Sept. 26 — four days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The press release outlines how the group has historically mocked the women murdered by Robert Pickton and shares comedy that perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The nation stated that the timing of this event — four days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — is an insult to the purpose of the memorial day.
“By attempting to profit from making light of the horrific crimes committed by Robert Pickton, including the murders of Indigenous women and other women who were his victims, the Danger Cats troupe continues to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and trivialize the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG),” reads the statement from K’ómoks First Nation.
“The tragic loss of Indigenous women and the ongoing crisis of MMIWG must not be reduced to a punchline. We call on our community, local governments and businesses to take a firm stance against this event and to prevent our town from becoming a platform for spreading messages of hate and division. Hosting such an event at any time is unacceptable — but doing so in the lead-up to a day dedicated to truth and healing further undermines the values of respect and reconciliation that we strive to uphold.”
Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) shared a press release on the same day stating that it stands with K’ómoks First Nation. In the release, the CVRD stated that it is “opposed to any form of racism, misogyny, hate and discrimination happening within our region.”
“We stand by the K’ómoks First Nation and the First Nations Leadership Council to condemn harmful content referencing the murder victims of a notorious serial killer, that is being promoted in the name of comedy.”
The CVRD statement added that confronting racism, sexism, stereotypes and myth is a part of taking responsibility for collective safety, and calls upon members of the community to stop the spread of hate speech and content that makes light of violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
Resources for support
Racist incident helpline: 1-833-457-5463
Call VictimLink (province-wide 24-hour phoneline for victims of family and sexual violence, and all other crimes): 1-800-563-0808
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC: 1-800-784-2433
