Greetings readers.
I rarely watch CBC, partly because I watch APTN National News, but on Dec. 10, 2009 I decided to see what they had in the news. For the first time I think I was happy to have tuned into CBC because an interesting story caught my attention.
In Vancouver, The Squamish First Nation recently placed (electronic) advertising billboards along a bridge. The news report featured short clips of outraged, middle class people crying, “Oh my god it’s an eyesore! I want to see the bridge when I come this way!”
I’m paraphrasing of course, but that was the gist of it.
I actually thought they were attractive signs, similar to the ones placed in cities across the country. What differed from these signs was that they were put up by a reservation.
The main argument of the naysayers was that the aesthetic beauty of the area had been destroyed. I could suddenly hear their thoughts, “Goddamn Indians, ruining my view of the city as I cross this bridge!”
Squamish Chief Bill Williams believes that natural beauty of the area was destroyed a long time ago (and not by his people).
Of course, no one sees that it is a new source of revenue for the reservation.
The extra money is then going to support community programs and services.
My first employer was the Listuguj Mi’kmaq Development Center, I learned how to be a responsible member of the work force through programs they offered. Those kind of programs can steer Aboriginal youth in directions they would never have travelled without guidance. Extra money for programs and services has never hurt anyone.
It may seem outrageous to some in Vancouver that a nearby reserve is putting up big signs that destroy their perceived aesthetic beauty, but what do those same people feel about our the aesthetic value of our land destroyed by concrete, steel and glass?
Fuck your feelings about aesthetics and beautiful views if you are in love with the sore sight of a city.
Cities look like graveyards.
Picture it: the skyscrapers are the tombstones, and buried under the blocks of concrete and glass are the natural world, the true aesthetic beauty.
Any thoughts? I am always up for discussion. My email is [email protected], so feel free to email me your thoughts, questions, comments or complaints (put Native Issues in subject box) and I will get back to you as fast as I can.
