Indigenous team cites racist slurs
‘Three cheers for Gerald Stanley’ among taunts, manager says
A Saskatchewan slo-pitch team made up of Indigenous players says some of its members are “traumatized” after they were barraged by racist comments at a tournament in the Village of Perdue.
Sarah Phing, manager of the Vicious Hitters team, said 11 of her players went to Perdue on Aug. 11 to compete in a one-day tournament.
Phing said people in the bleachers and members of opposing teams made racist remarks throughout the day, particularly during the final, which the Vicious Hitters won.
RCMP Cpl. Rob King said the force was not called to respond to any incidents at the ball tournament, but its members are investigating comments that have since appeared online in relation to the event.
Phing said before the final game of the tournament started, someone affiliated with the opposing team said, “If we win, we’re going to give three cheers for Gerald Stanley,” a reference to the white farmer who was acquitted earlier this year in connection with the shooting death of Colten Boushie, a Cree man from Red Pheasant First Nation.
The whole experience was “horrible,” Phing said.
“They were taunting us people like we were worthless. We’re not worthless. We’re still human beings too.”
After winning the final, Phing said her team was upset because they were awarded less cash than they had expected. A member of her team accused a tournament organizer of being racist.
A member of the Perdue Minor Ball Association, who refused to give her full name, said there was a misunderstanding about the prize money. She said the organization was not able to give out as much money as initially planned because fewer teams than expected registered for the tournament; the organization had hoped to have 12 teams, but only six signed up. She said this was explained to teams.
According to Phing, a tournament organizer asked the Vicious Hitters to leave and then a fight broke out between a Vicious Hitters player and a player on the team they had beaten in the finals.
Phing said the fight was broken up and no one was seriously hurt.
RCMP said they did not receive a call about a fight at any ball game in Perdue on Aug. 11.
“It was hard. This is still so hard. It’s still so fresh. Normally I’m such a strong person, but knowing what could have happened is what’s killing me,” Phing said.
According to a Facebook post by the Village of Perdue, the situation with the prize money was explained to “the upset team” several times, and none of the volunteers, association members, or organizers heard any racist comments.
“Let everyone rest assured that no one is withholding winnings from any team,” said the Village of Perdue, on behalf of Perdue Minor Ball, in the Facebook post.
“The experience of this team does not reflect the Village of Perdue, Perdue Minor Ball Association, or its volunteers. We do not support violence or racism from anyone.”
The Facebook post said volunteers at the tournament were called “racists, rednecks, hillbillies, and were threatened with a ‘scalping,’ ” and that many of the social media posts by the team describing events at the tournament were spreading misinformation. The post said various social media posts are having a significant impact on organizers and volunteers.
Phing said she is encouraging members of her team to record their memories of the day so they can present them to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
She said she wants the story made public so people understand racism is still prevalent in some areas of Saskatchewan. She said she doesn’t think the Village of Perdue should be allowed to host ball tournaments in the future.
The Village of Perdue refused to comment beyond what was posted on its Facebook page. The president of the Perdue Minor Ball Association could not be reached to comment.
The experience of this team does not reflect the Village of Perdue, Perdue Minor Ball Association, or its volunteers.