'It was ignorance': Charlottetown woman's Pride flag burned on Truth and Reconciliation Day

Jaimie Lee Augustine returned to her Charlottetown home last week to find the two-spirit Pride flag that had been hanging near the front door had been burned.  

To make matters worse, it happened on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honours Canada's Indigenous people and the children who never returned home from residential schools. 

"It took me by surprise and I was in quite a bit of shock," Augustine said. 

"I didn't know how to react to it at first. It's just not something you expect to have happen in your neighbourhood." 

The flag was set on fire while her children, aged six and nine, were sleeping in the upstairs bedroom. Augustine's husband was also home at the time. 

The flames stayed confined to the flag and did not spread to the building itself. 

"I think it was ignorance — people just wanting to feel powerful in the moment — and unfortunately that's not what it turned out to be," Augustine said. 

"A part of me feels like it was a hate crime, but part of me also feels like it's just … people playing around. Even then … it's not OK."

Both Augustine and Charlottetown Police Services believe the incident happened sometime around 2:30 a.m. 

After viewing footage from a neighbour's security camera, police say three youths who appear to be 13 to 14 years old are persons of interest. 

"The video didn't depict them committing the act. However, they were in the area around 2:33 in the morning," said Charlottetown police Det.-Sgt. Darren MacDougall. 

"These individuals are not suspects as much as they are people we'd like to identify to speak to." 

It was hidden for a while. Nobody really said much. But it's been more out in the open [lately].— Kaelyn Mercer, Native Council of P.E.I.

Kaelyn Mercer, the two-spirit program co-ordinator with the Native Council of P.E.I., was the person who gave the Pride flag to Augustine. 

She said the council has noticed an increase in hatred targeting the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Mercer believes more education and communication might be the key to preventing incidents like this. 

"People [are] being more blatantly homophobic, transphobic," she said.

"You know, it was hidden for a while. Nobody really said much. But it's been more out in the open [lately]." 

Potential hate crime, police say

MacDougall said the investigation continues, and police are looking at security camera footage from several businesses in the area. 

He said there's a possibility that the incident was motivated by hate. If that's the case, it could be an aggravating factor if the culprits are caught, charged, found guilty and sentenced.  

"With a flag burning like this — and a very identifiable flag, a Pride flag, a reasonable person would … know what it is — I would suggest there is a high probability that there would be an element of hatred to that offence," MacDougall said. 

Augustine wrapped her damaged flag in red cloth, and plans to approach a community elder about how to properly lay it to rest.

She hopes people will use this crime to educate themselves, and be more accepting to both gay and Indigenous members of their community.

"Even though it may be a flag, it means a lot to me. This is my identity," she said. 

"At least let me be in my own peace. Let me and my family stay safe. I shouldn't have to worry about these things."