RCMP in British Columbia have apologized for pepper-spraying children during the Sechelt band's soccer celebration earlier this week.
In a letter, the Sechelt RCMP detachment said police had no intention of directly spraying children while trying to control nearby adults as they were making an arrest.
Sechelt First Nation Chief Stan Dixon said he was satisfied with the apology and that the band will move to ease tensions with police. But some band members say the Mounties' written sentiments aren't enough.
"Our kids aren't even old enough to read this letter, so how are they going to know that they are apologizing to them?" Selina August told CTV British Columbia.
"It's not said in person, it's not coming from the heart," said another band member. "They put it down on paper -- it don't mean nothing on paper."
Band members on Monday were parading through the streets of Sechelt when RCMP officers pulled over a pickup truck full of children. Police said they were concerned about the number of people riding in the back of the truck, and that they were confronted when they tried to arrest the driver.
Officials say police used pepper spray when a crowd of band members taking part in the celebration got too close.
A confrontation ensued and the team's coach, Troy Mayers, was arrested. He was pepper-sprayed along with about a dozen other adults and children. Several people, including children and a baby, were hit by the spray and some were treated for breathing problems.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the RCMP issued a formal written apology.
"The staff sergeant apologized to the community and I'm telling you, know that we do sincerely regret children being pepper sprayed," RCMP Assistant Commissioner Peter German told CTV British Columbia. "Nobody wants something like that to happen."
The RCMP's district commander for the Lower Mainland met with Dixon on Wednesday and is promising to fully investigate the matter.
The band initially asked for an independent inquiry of the incident but it has now agreed to the RCMP conducting the investigation -- as long as a band member is acting as an observer. Still some believe even that is not enough.
"I don't think that's right, I think there has to be more than just one person from either the band or a lawyer," said Carole Joe, one of the adults who was pepper sprayed.
Meanwhile, the youth soccer team that won a weekend tournament finally celebrated their victory on Wednesday.
"This is what the Native band in Sechelt wanted all along -- a chance to celebrate their victory," said Carole Joe.
"This is what's kind of been lost in this whole frenzy of everything, and this upsetting situation -- it's the kids and that's what this is for," said band member Shannon Phillips.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's David Lefebvre
