I was honoured to drum and sing in solidarity with Alicia, and family members at the one-year anniversary of Dale Culver's death in police custody near 10th Avenue and Highway 97.
From the news coverage to date, so much of the evidence points to police brutality and racist profiling causing Dale's death. Shortly after this memorial session, I was witness to a verbal assault by a white female store manager on a First Nations man who was peacefully asking for change. He was gentle; she was screaming, swearing and hysterical and a reminder of what monsters racism creates, because I believe this was her motive.
I was shocked and horrified and didn't react in the moment, but I will protest, and write where I can about this issue that raises its ugly head over and over in Prince George, and I will follow Dale Culver's story. I am so sorry for the impact on families, and on all of us, of brutality fueled by hatred.
Susan Phillips
Prince George
