'We are devastated by his actions and sincerely apologize'
A brewery on Vancouver Island has terminated one of its owners and closed its doors temporarily after a photograph appearing to show him wearing a "Show Me the Evidence" T-shirt on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation drew widespread criticism online.
Sooke Brewing Company announced that John Adair had been terminated, effective immediately, and that the brewery would close for the day, according to CTV News.
"We are devastated by his actions and sincerely apologize for the hurt they have caused," the company said in its statement.
Honouring survivors
The termination followed an earlier statement in which the brewery acknowledged the photograph, CTV News reported. In that first response, the company said the shirt's message did not reflect what the business stands for, and that Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, should be a day to honour residential school survivors, remember the children who never came home and acknowledge the continuing harms of the residential school system.
"What occurred at our brewery was inappropriate and unacceptable," the company said.
The brewery's response escalated as the image circulated and drew strong criticism from people in Sooke and elsewhere, CTV News reported. The company also said it had contacted First Nations leadership to hear their concerns and decide on next steps.
'An apology is not good enough'
Debra Lazzar, an elected councillor with T'Sou-ke First Nation, told CTV News the photograph was especially hard to see after a day of community events marking Sept. 30. The community had gathered for an Orange Shirt Day event in Sooke to hear from speakers and elders and to share Indigenous teachings, she said.
She said the effects of the residential school history continue across generations, including for survivors who could not attend the Sept. 30 gathering because of trauma, CTV News reported. While some in the community may see the incident differently, she said, that does not lessen its impact on survivors, their families and the Indigenous people who marked the day. "It was really hurtful," Lazzar said.
Lazzar told CTV News she contacted the brewery to start a conversation about what should happen next. She suggested the business could support future Orange Shirt Day events, set up a scholarship for T'Sou-ke students heading to post-secondary education, or contribute to programs supporting Indigenous women. She also offered to help arrange a face-to-face meeting between the brewery and community members, which she described as a culturally appropriate way to address the harm.
"I think action is needed," Lazzar said. "An apology is not good enough."
