MONASTERY, N.S. - A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with allegedly spray painting racist graffiti on a school bus, a school and a sign near the building in Monastery, N.S.

An RCMP spokesman says children who arrived at the East Antigonish Education Centre on Tuesday morning were faced with a hate-filled piece of graffiti targeting Indigenous people that was spray painted across a bus.

The students also saw a message against black people on a sign near the school.

About 100 Mi'kmaq students attend the school.

The spokesman says the 17-year-old, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with public incitement of hatred and four counts of mischief.

Police didn't say whether the teen had any ties to the school.

He has been released on conditions and will appear in Antigonish youth court at a later date.