"Canada has a bigger race problem than America. And it's ugliest in Winnipeg,” are the words painted on the front cover of the latest Maclean's magazine.
In it, writer Nancy Macdonald said racism is more prominent in Winnipeg than in any other city in Canada.
"I'd ask whether they feel racism, and again and again people would tell me, 'I feel it every time I walk out the door,'" said Macdonald.
The article talks about how the death of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine has finally forced the city to face its festering race problem.
"Sometimes, just walking down the street, someone will give you a dirty look, and they don't even know who you are," said Leanne Saunders.
"They used to call me a ‘dirty Indian,’ stuff like that, and I think that's where I got most of my anger," said Lisa Everett.
In reaction to the article, Mayor Brian Bowman, who is the city's first Métis mayor, acknowledged there is a racism issue in Winnipeg.
He said the problem won't be solved in a day but, "We're sure as hell (going to) try.”
Choking back tears, Bowman defended Winnipeg.
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak was also on hand. "I guarantee that right, now somebody is having a racist experience, in a restaurant or on the streets in Winnipeg somewhere. I’m not here to pacify that," said Nepinak.
He said we need to open a dialogue.
A poll commissioned by CTV Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Free Press during the municipal election last fall indicated that a large majority, 75 per cent, of Winnipeggers agreed that the division between aboriginal and non-aboriginal citizens was a significant problem for the city.
The poll, conducted by Probe Research, found that 49 per cent strongly agreed, while 26 per moderately agreed.
Winnipeg divided by race: Poll
