A thief not only stole the Secwépemc flag from the Chase Museum, but also the key component of its message, “Together We are Stronger.”
On April 18, the RCMP received a report that the indigenous flag had been stolen from the museum on Shuswap Avenue, where it had flown alongside the Canada and B.C. flags as a statement of community.
“Video surveillance shows that at approximately 6:59 p.m. on April 17, the flag was taken by a man who had taken measures to disguise his face,” Const. Sarah Van Wilgenburg said in a May 2 media release.
She added that he was of average height with a thin build, and appeared to be indigenous and in his late 20s.
The flag was originally raised in 2018 to “symbolize the importance of First Nations people to our area.”
Skwlāx Cultural Heritage Protection director Nola Markey explained the flag means “Secwépemc presence in the area, within unceded territory, representing the four bands, Skwlāx, Adams Lake, Neskonlith and Splatsin.”
Anyone who may have information about the theft is asked to contact the Chase detachment at 250-679-3221 and reference file 2024-777.
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