Medicine Hat News editorial board statement

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 14, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

An article published in Saturday’s edition of the News titled “Remains from Saratoga gravesite close to coming home” included dated language that has detracted from the important subject matter and caused hurt among the Indigenous community.

The article, touching on years-long efforts to repatriate human remains found in historical graves in the city, described land in the area of the Saratoga Park section of the city and stated nearby residents were “essentially squatters (who) built homes on land nobody else wanted.”

This brief description ignores the complex issues involved.

Readers who contacted the News say the term perpetuates stereotypes and overshadows efforts announced Monday to re-inter the remains.

Several cite that settlement in that area predates the founding of Medicine Hat, or the drawing of property lines.

“Squatters” rights is a common term for the legal situation of adverse possession, which existed in Alberta Law until 2022, and through which a person can lay legal claim to property title in the case of long-term residency.

In practice, however, the term carries unfair connotations that put residents of Saratoga Park in a bad light.

The statement was careless and has understandably caused hurt in the Indigenous and Métis community. It is not in keeping with the News’s foundational commitment to create a more full and modern understanding of issues in our community.

The News apologizes for this use of outdated language and remains committed to providing a better representation of Indigenous culture and history within our community.

Many readers expressed support for the current work taking place. They hope it brings new prominence and greater understanding of Saratoga Park and the role of Indigenous peoples in Medicine Hat’s history.

Information of the “Ancestor Reburial Project” – described in another article in this edition – was unveiled Monday on the City of Medicine Hat’s website.

The work is being done by the local Miywasin Centre, the City of Medicine Hat and the University of Alberta with some federal funding.

Present repatriation efforts involve three sets of human remains found in 1967 during construction within the city that was not mentioned in the story, not a similar discovery of remains in 1959, which was described in the article.

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