After removing Tintin in America from the Winnipeg Public Library system due to complaints of racism, CBC News reports the City of Winnipeg has returned the children’s graphic novel to the shelves—but in the "adult graphic novel" section.
Tintin in America is part of the cartoonist Hergé's Adventures of Tintin series, loved by children internationally. Adventures of Tintin chronicles Tintin’s travels as a reporter throughout the world.
Part of Tintin in America includes Tintin meeting a group of Blackfoot Indians in "Redskin City." While interacting with the Blackfoot tribe, they call him "paleface." The Blackfoot also tie Tintin to a post and tell Tintin that he will be held accountable for their suffering.
Tintin in America contains sharp social criticism of America's treatment of Native Americans. In the comic, the Blackfoot are kicked off of their land after the discovery of oil.
In an email sent to Winnipeg library branches and obtained by CBC News, the problem with Tintin in America is its "racist depictions of indigenous people":
"The decision to withdraw this title was originally made in 2006 after several patron complaints about the content being offensive. The complaints were reviewed by the Youth Services Librarians at the time and the decision was made to remove it from the public collections based on overtly stereotypical and racist depictions of indigenous people."
According to city officials, Tintin in America accidentally returned to shelves during an order mistake.
After a review in which the graphic novel was removed from shelves entirely, city officials determined the comic should be placed in the "adult graphic novels" section. Therefore, government officials say adults are able to check out the title “in order to carry on discussions with their children or others."
Other Tintin titles appear to be placed in the "juvenile nonfiction" section.