RCMP investigates hate-motivated vandalism in Hardisty, Alberta

Community Safety Alert: Hate-Related Property Damage Under Investigation

On the morning of June 12, 2026, officers from the Killam/Forestburg RCMP responded to reports of hate-related vandalism at an energy company site in Hardisty, Alberta. The incident occurred shortly after a ceremonial tipi was raised on the property during a Tipi Raising Ceremony led by Indigenous Elders from Maskwacis, held in connection with an upcoming golf tournament hosted by the company.

Investigators have confirmed that, during the late-night hours between June 11 and June 12, someone used spray paint to deface the tipi with hateful imagery and wording. Additional race-based hate messages were also discovered on a sign near 43a Avenue, south of 43 Street in Hardisty. Police believe these incidents are linked and occurred one after the other. Due to the nature and content of the damage, these offences are being treated as hate-motivated crimes.

Official RCMP Details

According to the Alberta RCMP, the sequence of events and current focus of their investigation are as follows:

• On June 11, 2026, a tipi was raised at an energy company’s site in Hardisty during a Tipi Raising Ceremony led by Indigenous Elders from Maskwacis, held in conjunction with a planned golf tournament.
• Between approximately 11:00 p.m. on June 11 and 1:00 a.m. on June 12, 2026, one or more unknown individuals spray-painted hate-based images and messages on the tipi canvas.
• Similar hateful, race-based messages were found spray-painted on a sign in Hardisty, in the area of 43a Avenue, south of 43 Street. These markings have been documented by police and removed.
• The damage is being investigated as mischief to property that is hate-motivated, meaning the offences appear driven by bias, prejudice, or hate toward an identifiable person or group.
• The investigation is being supported by the Alberta RCMP Hate Crimes Coordinator and Indigenous Policing Services.

Public Assistance Requested

This investigation relies heavily on help from the community. The Killam/Forestburg RCMP are specifically asking local residents, businesses, and drivers to review any available video footage and report information that may assist.

If you were in the area of the Gibson Energy site in Hardisty or near 43a Avenue, south of 43 Street during the relevant times, please check any security cameras, dashcams, or doorbell cameras for unusual activity.

• Time window for potential evidence: between 10:00 p.m. on June 11, 2026 and 2:00 a.m. on June 12, 2026.
• Primary locations of interest:
  • Area surrounding the Gibson Energy facility in Hardisty.
  • Area near 43a Avenue, south of 43 Street in Hardisty.

If you have any information or footage that could help identify the person or persons responsible, please contact:

• Killam/Forestburg RCMP: 780-385-3502
• Alberta RCMP non-emergency line (any RCMP jurisdiction in Alberta): 310-RCMP (7267)

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can submit tips through:

• Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
• Online via P3Tips.com
• The “P3 Tips” mobile app (available on Apple App Store and Google Play)

Residents can also report crime online and access RCMP news and tools using the Alberta RCMP app, available through Apple and Google Play.

CrimeCanada.ca Community Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, hate-motivated offences against cultural and ceremonial spaces pose a serious threat to community safety and cohesion. These acts can make entire groups feel targeted and unsafe, especially when directed at Indigenous cultural symbols such as ceremonial tipis. Even in communities that generally show lower rates of violent crime, like the areas served by Killam RCMP detachment and nearby Forestburg, hate incidents can have a disproportionate emotional and social impact.

Community members can help by promptly reporting suspicious activity, especially late-night movement around businesses, cultural sites, or public signage. If you encounter graffiti or messages that appear hateful or threatening, document them safely (photographs from a distance, noting time and location), avoid engaging with potential suspects, and contact police immediately. Standing against hate-motivated crime, including vandalism, is a key part of building safer, more inclusive communities across Alberta.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.