A counsellor for some of the B.C. families of missing and murdered indigenous women was shocked to see a family restaurant in Surrey offering a “Willie Pickton” liquor shot on its menu recently.
Rebecca Brass, an indigenous woman and counsellor at a WAVAW rape and crisis shelter, was having lunch at Wings Tap and Grill on King George Boulevard in Surrey two weeks ago, when she saw the item and snapped a photo.
The incident comes as Canada prepares to begin the long-awaited national inquiry into thousands of cases of murdered and missing aboriginal women, many of whom were slaughtered by serial killer Robert Willie Pickton.
Pickton was charged in 2007 with killing 26 women from a list of 69 who went missing, although he bragged about killing 49. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years for the murders of six women between 1997 and 2001. Charges were discontinued in 20 cases.
At first Brass thought the drink was named for Pickton’s brother, but then she realized that the serial killer’s nickname was Willie. Brass contacted the chain restaurant’s head office and was referred to the Surrey location for a response as to why the shot was on the menu.
“It’s really upsetting that they would try to profit off that tragedy. This is a broader cultural issue. It’s racist and sexist. And it’s a desensitization of the issue, and contributes to the culture of violence against women,” she said.
“I really hope other restaurants will take this seriously.”
Brass said she has heard that Willie Pickton is a common name for alcohol shots, but she hasn’t heard of any other restaurants including it on their menus.
“I was especially concerned because this is a family restaurant,” she said. “We’re paying for this injustice, and it needs to stop.”
![The menu at Wings Tap and Grill, located on King George Boulevard featured a shooter called the Willie Pickton, named after the notorious B.C. serial killer. [PNG Merlin Archive] [PNG Merlin Archive]](http://wpmedia.vancouversun.com/2016/08/the-menu-at-wings-tap-and-grill-located-on-king-george-boul.jpeg?w=640&h=480)
Wings Tap and Grill, located on King George Boulevard.
“The Surrey team sincerely apologies for over-sighting this old list created by the past manager. Furthermore, he does not work for the restaurant or brand,” said Laticia, a communication manager who refused to give her last name.
She said the drink list was pulled as soon as the guest alerted head office about the insensitive item, adding that an internal memo has been sent out to notify the restaurants that all drink menus and lists need to be approved by the head office.
She said that the company “supports non violence against women 100 per cent and wants to continue creating a positive experience and a positive brand.”
