THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay's daily newspaper has published an apology for a headline that has drawn condemnation from the Assembly of First Nations.
Above a story this week about two reported incidents in which eggs were thrown at pedestrians from passing vehicles, the Chronicle-Journal's headline stated "Egg-toss incidents have police scrambling."
The AFN executive committee, meeting in Ottawa on Thursday, demanded an apology from the newspaper.
National Chief Perry Bellegarde described it as "offensive and insensitive, particularly in a city that should be working toward healing and reconciliation between First Nation and non-Indigenous citizens."
According to a news release from the AFN, the perpetrators of the attacks were "allegedly yelling racist insults about First Nations people at the victims."
One of the victims required hospital treatment.
Friday's published apology said the headline's "play on words was inappropriate about a criminal attack and was inconsiderate, particularly to the victims."
On Thursday, Councillor Paul Pugh, speaking as Thunder Bay's acting mayor, issued a statement saying "We condemn hate-motivated crimes and discriminatory attitudes. We encourage everyone to report hate crimes and stand up to racism."
