Port Alberni RCMP are investigating after someone vandalized the Historically Orange Bridge over the Somass River.

Port Alberni RCMP are investigating after someone vandalized the Historically Orange Bridge over the Somass River.

The ‘Every Child Matters’ message, painted by survivors of the Alberni Indian Residential School, was defaced with the word child replaced with a derogatory, racist name.

Members of the Tseshaht First Nation began cleaning up the vandalism within hours of its discovery Friday, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

They had everything cleaned up by noon on Saturday.

Port Alberni RCMP say while the crime was not reported to the detachment, officers are investigating and they are asking anyone with information - perhaps dash cam footage - to contact them.