"Nineteen Indian Boys Flogged with Strap Soaked in Vinegar," The Young Worker (Young Communist League of Canada). April 30, 1934. Page 1 & 9. ---- Truro, Nova Scotia, April 25. - Nineteen Indian boys were stripped naked to the waist and lashed with vinegar-soaked strap in an Indian home at Shubenacadie by Rev. Father Mackey, principal of the institution and Edward McLeod, caretaker. The flogging was done in the presence of Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer.
Stripped to the Waist According to report of Allison MacDonald, the Indian agent, on March 2, nineteen boys of the Indian school were stripped to the waist and given punishment on the bare back. From ten to twenty strokes of the lash were given to the boys, ranging from 6 to 20 years old. After the whipping the boys' hair was shaved close to the scalp and they were placed on bread and water for two days and no food for the third day.
Ten of the boys escaped from the school a few days ago and went to the agent in Shubenacadie, where they revealed the most inhuman treatment received at the hands of school officials.
The flogging of the boys was caused by the disappearance of $53, allegedly belonging to one of the Sisters of Charity.
Indian People Demand Punishment of Those Responsible The Indian people of Shubenacadie and the people of Truro are very indignant about the brutal treatment of the boys and demand removal of Father Mackey. More than $25 was raised by the Indian people from the local reservation to launch a campaign for a full investigation. They are appealing to all Indian reservations for aid.
Government Responsible Somebody must be held responsible for this horrible deed. The working class youth must first of all, lay the whole responsibility on the government which has placed in charge of the Indian school such men like Mackey. The brutal treatment of the Indian children must be viewed in no other way, than by the policy of oppression of the Indian people, who are denied certain democratic rights, their youth are denied the opportunity to a real education, the land given to them is of the worst kind, they are discriminated against everywhere, denied sufficient relief and considered as an "inferior" race.
Young Communist League Acts The National Committee of the Young Communist League immediately acted on the situation and sent a protest wire, reprinted in this paper, and a resolution to the Bennett Government. The resolution reads in part:
"We demand that an immediate investigation be made of the case at Shubenacadie and that the investigation committee be composed in its majority of representatives of the Indian people themselves and of the boys in the school. We demand the immediate removal and imprisonment of Father Mackey and his substitution by an Indian principal under the control of a school committee elected by the Indian population of Shubenacadie.
"We demand that this investigation be broadened out to delve into the whole situation of Indian education with the aim of exposing the discriminating practices against the Indian youth which condemn them to life-long ignorance in many cases.
"The National Committee of the Young Communist League pledges itself to rally the youth for the struggle against such practices. It will itself assist financially to the campaign being carried on by the Indians at Truro for the purpose of contesting their claims".
The "Young Worker" appeals to all its readers, to all working-class youth and adult organizations to immediately launch a wide protest movement around this issue. Mass youth meetings, where protest wires and resolutions should be adopted, are to be organized everywhere.