Local Canadian Tire branch accused of racism by FSIN, store claims employees followed protocol
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) has accused the North Battleford Canadian Tire of racial profiling, but a statement from the store says employees were following protocol after a door alarm was triggered.
In a statement released earlier today, the FSIN demanded an apology from the hardware store after Elder Gordon Albert was searched by employees earlier this week. The FSIN claimed employees followed the Elder around the store and accused him of theft before searching through his pockets and bags.
“We will not tolerate this treatment any longer,” Chief Bobby Cameron was quoted in the release. “The family is still considering their options, but at the very least, I am recommending that they file a human rights complaint.”
“Stores must train their employees to get past racial profiling. First Nations people are tired of being followed around in stores and accused of theft when they are just trying to shop for their families,” Cameron said. “Even if someone is behaving suspiciously, they are still deserving of respect and do not deserve to be humiliated in public.”