"Whoever did it, I hope they're found. I hope they're found quickly. I hope they're of age so it can be reported who they are, so we all know," says Leamington Mayor John Paterson reacting after someone painted "White Power" on some Caldwell First Nation welcome signs.
Authorities are trying to determine who scrawled the racially inflammatory message over the weekend.
Paterson posted an image of the graffiti on his Facebook page Sunday afternoon.
"To see this kind of thing happen, it's just like, I don't, I don't even know how to describe it," said Paterson Monday morning. "I was just appalled."
Paterson's photo, which as been shared 349 times so far, is captioned: "Disgusting. I hope this was not done by a Leamington resident and I hope the OPP will be able to track down the person or persons who used such racist language on the Caldwell First Nations property. All three of their signs plus several of the smaller ones have been defaced by someone with a total lack of intelligence and morals. Anyone knowing who may have done this, please contact the OPP. The sooner the person is found the, quicker the resolution.”
He hopes it doesn't reflect poorly on the town, but says it's pretty clear what residents think about the slur.
"I think this town is turning their backs on whoever the jerk was that, or jerks were, that did this."
Councillor Lonny Dodge with the Caldwell First Nation refused to comment beyond saying it's in the hands of the Ontario Provincial Police and the signs are being cleaned up.
The band is in Leamington and is the only federally recognized First Nation in southern Ontario without a reserve land of its own.
People with information concerning this incident should call the OPP detachment in Leamington at (519) 326-2544.
- With files from Adelle Loiselle.