In this the age of overly political correctness, we too often overlook the truth or are afraid to state it for fear of the “heat” we might bring on ourselves. But NOT on Keeping it Real!
Every time I drive north over the Lions’ Gate Bridge, like many other motorists and their passengers, I glance down at Squamish Nation housing on the north shore reserve below … and what do I see: ugliness. The homes are fairly new … but they look like they have been built in a gravel pit.
And if you drive through the rest of the reserve below … the housing ugliness gets even worse.
But don’t give me the usual excuses so often cited when looking at native reserves: poverty, isolation, unemployment.
My understanding is the Squamish nation does very well, thank you very much. The band is a major landlord to the federal government, cashing in for millions of dollars each year on lands leased near and under the bridge; the Park Royal Shopping Centre is built on Squamish land; the huge former hotel, now a residential tower I’m told, along with commercial businesses as well on the south side of Marine Drive at Capilano Road is on band land; and many, many band members have good jobs and income.
Some would argue living in an ugly gravel-pit-like environment is the residents’ right. I am even sympathetic to that argument, to some extent.
But then I also believe that we are all part of a larger community and have not only “rights” but a responsibility to our neighbours as well. And in this regard, I see the Squamish nation as bad neighbours.
Have you ever driven east on the Dollarton highway through reserve lands on the way to Deep Cove? Be honest ….. you can tell where the reserve housing ends because so does the shabbiness and the ugliness.
And on the way, you’ll also have passed what I believe is the ugliest convenience store on the north shore as well.
This is not poverty or total lack of funds: this is just bad neighbouring!
Which brings me to the next offering of ugliness the Squamish Nation is about to inflict on its neighbours:
The Squamish natives plan to erect SIX huge electronic billboards …. three metres high and eleven metres wide… on native lands near both North shore bridges, the Burrard Bridge and even their supposedly sacred (so much for that!) Stawamus Chief mountain and hiking area south of Squamish.
UGLY!!!!
Not much respect there for “mother earth” and “all their relations” in despoiling the land and the environment in this way. Where are all the elders on this one?
All of it approved, of course, by the far-too-acquiescent federal government … that would NEVER allow you or I to do the same on privately owned land in the same area.
The band says it needs the money. I doubt its finances are so desperate that it must inflict such ugliness on its own land, its neighbours and the larger community it is also a part of in the Vancouver area.
Compared to its other revenue sources, these giant television screen billboards, will generate relatively small revenues. But no doubt lead to a huge loss of respect for the Squamish band by the million people who live around and beside them.
Another ugly addition to the Squamish nation’s already too large existing inventory of ugliness.
Harv Oberfeld
44 responses so far ↓
1 Henri Paul // Sep 29, 2009 at 3:00 am
Compared to the area where you live , every where else does looks shabby.
Remember ,there is no place like home,wherever it may be.
(Response: Yes, home is where the heart is. But when anyone or a group inflicts unecessary ugliness on neighbours, I think that goes too far. h.o)
2 Powell river persuader // Sep 29, 2009 at 5:53 am
My hats off to you Harvey Oberfeld, it takes some real brass you know what`s to talk aloud about first nations, all the political correctness garbage.
I have been villified in the past for speaking to truth about first nations.
I watched an interview with a chief from northeast Canada,a colder remote section of the east coast, there were many suicides,gas and paint sniffing,drugs and alcohol……..
The chief went on to say that it will never stop until the cheques stop arriving.
Up here on the sunshinecoast the hirarchy chief and elders do very wll,strangers to the river rock casino not? Yet it`s that old trickle down thing,they learned well from whitey government.Keep the masses looking poor,squeaky wheel gets the grease.
(Response: What makes the Squamish nation situation all the more interesting is that I have learned there are only about 3,440 members .. and only 1,940 or so actually living on reserve lands. And if they can’t manage with their current real estate revenues, federal $$$ etc ..there should be a full investigation, by band members themselves, or …if they had any guts …the media. Somebody knows the numbers and where it’s all going. h.o.)
3 spartikus // Sep 29, 2009 at 2:55 pm
You say the Squamish are doing well financially – but what are the numbers? And has this always been the case or is this affluence relatively new? Paved streets and manicured lawns now showing up overnight and all.
And speaking of which, have you ever driven through the “white” parts of Prince George and Vanderhoof et al? Looks pretty similar.
(Response: I tried to check on their website, on Google and Google News … couldn’t detail of their finances.. but with their real estate/lease holdings ..they sure can’t plead poverty like so many other reserves can. As far as PG etc… if they fit with their neighbours, nothing wrong there… but HERE the Squamish housing areas look like a blight to me … they could use a little more pride, not ugly billboards. h.o.)
4 Lynn // Sep 29, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Thankyou so very much for having the courage to put into print what I have wondered about and asked aloud at home.
I too have questioned where all their revenues are going.
Also I do not understand the true motivation for ugly billboards.Is it simply because they can.
(Response: I think it’s just greed … apparently along with total disrespect for their neighbours, mother earth, our environment, our visual world. Interesting I hear Pattison group was offered … but refused to get involved in the project. And I doubt it will be a great bonus to any advertisers on there either. h.o.)
5 K. C. // Sep 29, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Harv: FYI there is no longer a hotel on the south side of Marine Drive in North Vancouver…not since the 1980′s! Today it is residential and a fitness centre….
(Response: Thanks for the info .. I’ll correct the blog reference …but it’s still on native land and bringing in lots of revenue, isn’t it? h.o.)
6 !i // Sep 29, 2009 at 5:44 pm
“The band says it needs the money. “
Who knows? The band’s money numbers are more guarded than the US nuclear missile launch codes.
Squamish Nation, Finance Department,
Department Head: (edited ..h.o.)
(Response: Thanks > I wrote the official you named asking for annual financial report figures of revenues, expenditures ; got a reply referring me to someone else > I wrote that person > awaiting a reply. h.o)
7 blaffergassted // Sep 29, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Are they anything like that big UGLY electronic billboard near the Pitt River Bridge?
Or are they more like the UGLY billboards installed over McBride Blvd in New West?
(Response: They’re all ugly in my view …anyone know if those you mention are on reserve, private, provincial or municipal lands? But the ones you merntion don’t block the view from the Burrard Bridge or Lions Gate etc. h.o)
8 wstander // Sep 29, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Maybe the fact the housing has to be built under a bridge, has somethng to do with the ugliness.
(Response: The housing is not under the bridge… you can see it from the bridge off to the east…and, sorry to be so honestly blunt, it’s really an ugly streetscape. h.o)
9 Norman Farrell // Sep 29, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Those who oppose the billboards appear to have only one card to play. Boycott any advertisers who use the boards to pollute the views.
(Response: That certainly is one possibility…and some just might ,but I’ve always felt most people will boycott just for a brief time …until the advertiser has a great sale on something .. and then it’s all easily overlooked. h.o.)
10 wstander // Sep 29, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Off to the East. Yeah, right, about 300 yard to the East. I have been going over that bridge for 50 year. I know what I am talking about. Not exactly the location for prime residential real estate thanks to the bridge.
(Response: The houses are fine … what’s the excuse for the gravel pit appearance? I’ll bet if it was in Surrey… the media would do stories on it. With landscaping and lawns and trees and flowers this oceanfront and riverside property could actually look quite nice ..a credit to the neighbourhood. And it’s not even a native issue …it’s just a bad neighbour issue. A blight on the city for residents and tourists alike. And their billboards will make it WORSE! h.o.)
11 davidp // Sep 30, 2009 at 1:06 am
Seems to me there is some indication that a financial audit is due. The income from the rental properties should be enough to put everyone in the band into retirement. They should be set up pretty damn fine, all in all. Why are they not? Who is getting all the money? Why is Canada still paying the band and the individuals, when they’re clearly able to make a supreme amount of income just by leasing to the mall and towers?
It burns me that we do not re-assign the money that is their “share” of the Federal funding to a band that is in need. This band clearly has it made in the shade. Let’s help the needy instead.
(Response: A reader gave me the name of a financial official with the Squamish Nation. I wrote asking for their last annual financial report, sources of income, details of expendidtures…annual loss or profit. I received a reply redirecting me to someone else … so I have now written that person. Would be happy to publish the Nation’s financial figures demonstrating the need… if they provide them h.o)
12 wstander // Sep 30, 2009 at 6:33 am
Why should the financial affairs of the Squamish Nation be any of your business?
Unless, of course, you really don’t think the money is really theirs, but is just a gift from us white folks. Unbelievable.
(Response:Stop being so racist..nothing really to do with colour. Believe it or not, I do NOT lay awake at night worrying about the finances of the Squamish nation. I’ve only inquired into it after my own blog readers suggested I check it out because the bands have apparently have argued they really NEED the money. So it’s an obvious question…in view of all their real estate and federal millions … do they need $$$ so much as to uglify our environment… a question we would ask any private developer, municipal, provincial or federal agency if they wanted to put up such ugly signs in such prominent places. Or do you feel just BECAUSE natives are involved ..they can do anything they want ..and no one should be allowed to criticise or even question??? Unbelievable!!! h.o.)
13 Lybb // Sep 30, 2009 at 6:46 pm
They are hypocrites just like us!!! LOL
14 SharingIsGood // Oct 1, 2009 at 12:30 am
I get it, Euro-Canadians can move in, chop down all of the forest, lay down concrete asphalt, build structures of every different hue, chocke the skys with car, ship and train pollution, kill off the salmon and the deer; but now that nearly everything that was natural has been replaced by man-made structures, those nasty Squamish Nations people have the audacity to erect those ugly signs! How dare they! Sheesh! This is one argument I would never want to try to win for the Euro-Canadians.
(Response: This isn’t about refighting the whole history of the world and settlement (including that of the natives, by the way, who came over the land bridge from Asia). It’s simply about .. in the year 2009 … putting up a lot of UGLINESS for very few bucks, totally ignoring the environment, the visual imact .. and your neighbours. h.o.)
15 Wilson // Oct 1, 2009 at 12:54 am
You damned racist bastard ! I am just kidding Oberfeld. ‘Bout time somebody called this one out. had to be done and good on ya for doin’ it. Go back to BCTV. These days they couldn’t say shit with a mouth full of it on there. We need ol goats like you back on the air !
(response; It isn’t easy! I would be much more popular by being like the Dalai Lama … saying things like .. Better to show kindness than anger … Peace is the path to happiness … and Your heart is for more than heartache. And I could stay in First Class hotel suites too ..be treated like a King!!! But No ..I have to reflect Reality, express Frustration about daily injustices and fight Lying politicians and expose crappy Journalism. And what do I get? No retirement thanks or farewell from the Premier; the ire of some old comrades in the media; and being dumped as a Webster Awards judge! And yet I feel better than EVER!! Where did I go wrong??? LOL! h.o.)
16 Wilson // Oct 1, 2009 at 2:15 am
I miss you Oberfeld. I really do. Media these days sucks the big one. You forgot to kick my ass for saying BCTV I forgot it is Global now. Whatever the hell that is. Too bad you got dumped from the Webster’s. And the Premier? He doesn’t like fat ol’ goats like us. You gotta be one of the young pretty people to be in that circle. People like you and me are going extinct. But damned that noon newshour gal is a fine one. Keep it real Oberfeld. Keep it real.
(Response: Thanks. I miss you all too …or most of you.
And the blog (no ads, no sponsors) is partly my way of just staying in touch. By the way, I also say BCTV when I talk about the Golden Age at the station … and call it Global when I talk about what has happened to it under the Aspers. Still some very fine talented people there … now constrained by what I see as a very different management and news philosophy … and the the fact CanWest is broke. Good time to be retired … and still stirring up some independent “thought” by blogging. h.o.)
17 Michelle // Oct 23, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I too am very angry about the billboards, I feel that the Squamish Nation is hypocritical, in turn, I can’t help but feel very disappointed in them and to feel that their cultural needs change when it is convenient. In addition, the Squamish Nation is one of the richest bands in Canada. This whole thing is a sticky situation – but I sure hope the billboards don’t go up as planned.
I can’t help but feel akin to the idealistic aboriginal views – we are stewards of the earth. She provides everything we need and we must protect her. It is very disappointing that such a wonderful message can be dismissed for a little money.
There are such opportunities for our Aboriginal peoples, some major past victories as well – I only hope they figure out who they really are and never lose sight of it again – there are telling signs that they are not thriving.
I had the pleasure of working with Calvin Helin about a decade ago on the NEXUS conference for the Native Investment & Trade Association.
I hold him in very high regard, he was a wonderful employer and a highly intelligent person (with some radical ideas). Recently he has been in the news for his views on his own people, he is preaching for the betterment of his people – he believes that the handouts should stop.
These are not his words but loosely he feels that Canada’s Aboriginals have lost their pride, and in a need to protect their cultural background, and ensure their survival they essentially cause harm to themselves. Additionally, the open verbal attacks on Europeans are detrimental, even racist, causing public opinion to be very negative. I have to say I completely agree.
18 Home Grown West Van Girl // Dec 3, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I would like to thank the Squamish Nation for being such GREAT Neighbors! My dog and I enjoy the Ambleside dog park at least four times a week. The dog park is Squamish Nation reserve land and it is very valuable real estate. I don’t see any other Resident of the North Shore offering such beautiful land with huge cultural significance for community use? Also… Why is it that you can only walk your dog off leash on Squamish Land in Ambleside and not on The West Vancouver district portion? Poverty Harvy isn’t appealing to you? Shocker. While you give your verdict about the finances of the Squamish people’s maybe you should take into consideration that they pay millions of dollars for sewer, water and policing just like any other municipality. I am positive there is great deal that you and I do not understand but I encourage you to try to understand before you make rash narrow-minded conclusions.
19 dee joe // Dec 6, 2009 at 3:20 am
its a shame where one such as yourself can point fingers, when you know 3 are pointing back and you dishonor human kind. take that magic wand of foulness you spread and bring it somewhere else, like the guy above said ol’ goats like you are becoming extinct and we are better off for it too! if you truly found a healthy balance in your personal thoughts before writing them down, chances are you wouldn’t of bothered, you’d be more prone to being part of a solution than part of the so called problem and i feel bad for you. what has been done to the homeland of the squamish people is hurtful enough than to have you and todays society judge them. you want to talk bullshit, then lets get started on vanoc and 2010 and we’ll all agree about seeing something ugly!
(Response; The first sign has gone up and it IS ugly: it uglifies the neighbourhood: it uglifies the city …. I just don’t believe this band is so poor it had to inflict this ugliness on its neighbours. Shame on them! h.o.)
20 OrangeCrush // Dec 7, 2009 at 11:53 am
Get over it!!! You are not a Squamish Nation member, don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong!!
(Response: So let me understand your point … We, as BC residents (including first nations), are allowed to criticize whatever companies do anywhere; whatever governments do anywhere; whatever community groups or organizations do anywhere … EXCEPT the Squamish nation. They should be allowed to do anything they want … anywhere … and we are not allowed to criticize?? What a unique view of the world! h.o.)
21 Edgey // Jan 26, 2010 at 12:46 am
this is an interesting discussion to hear out loud and although I don’t agree I appreciate that it isn’t just happening around drinks at some country club. I find that the aesthetic values that we place on our homes and yard are generally not shared by our First Nations freinds this is more of a product of utility than poverty in many cases. Could this be a case of oposing values rather than any kind of ill intent. As for the signs … I’m sure Jimmy Paterson sleeps pretty good at night
(Response: Welcome to the discussion. Not even someone with the money and power of Pattison would be able to put up signs where the band did. Seems to me a double standard .. and they sure don’t add to the beauty of the region or respect for the band itself. h.o.)
22 Get over Yourself // Jan 26, 2010 at 4:57 am
Maybe before you judge other people you should judge your life first, they do say when you dislike someone you see something in them you don’t like about yourself. I understand the progression of life but you people often forget our ancestors helped your people and then your people live a money making life, gee i think we’re pretty good at playing your game. Get over yourself and if you don’t like it go back home where you’re ancestors originally come from, oh yeah you probably don’t think that far back….weren’t you ever taught if you dont have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all…if not i’ll just give you a little reminder.
(Response: “You people” ? Sounds kind of racist to me! And go back where we came from?? Montreal? Remember, first nations also came from somewhere else over the land bridge from Siberia, right? Personally, I’d take Montreal! And I don’t understand why you are so sensitive about anyone criticising something a band does …even when someone feels they have done wrong. What makes you so holy??? Lord knows, first nations spend a whole lot of their time criticising others … and I have no problem with that. BUT if you can’t take a little back; don’t dish it out. h.o.)
23 Squamish Nation band member // Jan 26, 2010 at 5:52 am
The state or fact of being ignorant = Lack of knowledge, education or awareness!!!
(Response: Exactly! h.o.)
24 Skookum1 // Jan 26, 2010 at 11:48 pm
There’s a big difference between the Squamish people and their band government, the Squamish Nation. Despite the huge revenues earned by the band – and the huge payola in land and money that’s part of the Olympics buy-off – most of it does not reach regular band members. Who don’t have the money for landscaping, shrubberies (“bring me a shrubbery!”) and lawn gnomes and flamingos. I agree with whomever above it was said there’s some difference in values, and while there’s not much natural landscape adjoining houses on the Capilano reserve, out on the Burrard reserve (which is not Squamish, but Tsleil-waututh) it looks to me as if the artificiality of urban-housing type landscaping has been avoided, and the raw bush cut into as little as possible. Yes, there’s junk in some yards, and some people don’t have money to paint their houses regularly (not do they see a point); but you can find non-native areas of Whalley, New West and towns like Lillooet that are in the same category.
Most of those people in the houses near the Lions Gate aren’t rich at all – though their “Indian Act government” (as one Skwxwu7mesh friend of mine puts it) certainly is. There’s a lot of questions – and discontent – within the band about this. For more on that have a read through various posts on http://www.liberatedyet.com which is a blog by Skwxwu7mesh activist Dustin Rivers – Dustin’s pretty upset with your article here, Harvey, and I can see why. You’re confusing the ability (and/or desire) of the PEOPLE to conform to “community standards” with the wealth of their GOVERNMENT. And there’s as much distance between the Squamish people and those who are in charge of the bureaucracy (and budget) created by the Indian Act which has power over them, and their land. The government may be rich, but the people are largely poor, but the government pretends everything’s more than peachy-keen – sound familiar?
And as for ugly, the Squamish had no choice in what was built on their lands in the days before they had autonomy from Ottawa’s deal-making; e.g. Neptune Terminals’ big piles of sulphur, or the industrial lands around Second Narrows and the concrete cloverleafs at the north end of that bridge. They’re all pretty ugly too.
You seem to be complaining that the Capilano Reserve doesn’t look like British Properties or Delbrook or Edgemont, all nice and tidey with beautiful gardens. Yet the Squamish who live in those houses are lucky they have housing at all; landscaping lawns and adding some monkey-puzzle trees and rhodos is not high on their priority list.
(Response: Thanks for your really interesting and informative perspective. I have always been well aware of the struggle and realities Canada’s aboriginal peoples have faced in their history and I am extremely proud that, during the Seton Portage BC Rail blockade, I was the ONLY BCTV reporter band members wanted to talk to ..and I stayed with them there, on the tracks, for several days. I also still remember as if it was yesterday, my own sadness when I attended the funeral of a great man and old friend Chief Joe Mathias. But it is BECAUSE I see first nations people as EQUALS that I speak out about things I disagree with involving their band as much as I speak out when I disagree with many other government bodies ..municipally, regionally, provincially, federally and even internationally. I do not pander to first nations like others do in front of them to be poltically correct and then speak differently about them behind their backs. I tell people exactly how I see things openly and up front and I TOTALLY REJECT the ridiculous assertions by some writers to this blog that criticising decisions by the Squamish band or any other aboriginal band is off limits. I believe the billboard signs are UGLY; I believe they hurt the Squamish band’s image; and I believe they are a blot on the environment .. and an insult to Mother Earth. And all our relations. h.o.)
25 Alice // Jan 27, 2010 at 6:03 pm
just for all your information.. its not the member ship we dont have no options on what goes up or what is done in our nation.. as it is the one that steal from our nation… we are poor cause our councellers are making themselves rich by these bill boards.. and all the land revenue we get we dont see a red dime out of none of the land moneies that come in. so its not fair that you say squamish nation look at our leaders they make all this decisions not us we lose out on alot of things cause of them. yeah you are right our nation needs to be audit.. and it needs to be a closed audit.. we get robbed as a nation from our leaders.
(Response: If any members of the Squamish band council wish to respond to this or any other criticism, I would be happy to let them use this blog to do so. My own repeated queries to the band office for budget/spending info went unanswered. h.o.)
26 Get over Yourself // Jan 28, 2010 at 7:14 am
“You people”, EXACTLY my point, and for your education the land bridge is a theory, you don’t really know first nations people if you say we crossed a land bridge…and I would suggest to keep looking further back into your ancestor lineage because I am pretty sure that they did not originally come from Montreal…..ask the Eastern indians they will tell you otherwise ! You better take a First Nation history class not taught by a non-native professor…..
(Response: You’re blowing smoke to obscure my main points: those billboards are UGLY; they despoil the environment; they do NOTHING to bring respect to the Squamish band. h..o)
27 atomicfrog // Feb 12, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I too am interested in how is SN doing in their finance. I heard of someone working in SN as a financial manager and it looks like he was compensated finely despite of his obvious lack of experience. (Not to mention this guys has connections inside management) I am sure that SN is floating on a sea of money and the billboard is just another way to make more.
(Response: I have received numerous e-mails from Squamish band members expressing similar concerns. My own blog dealt with the ugliness of those signs …but clearly there are many other concerns about the band’s funds .. and where they all go. h.o)
28 SN member // Jul 28, 2010 at 8:28 pm
First of all the landscape looks like a gravel pit because years ago the Capilano River used to flow through this area. The Reserve is built on top of the old river, educate yourself on this. We have 16 different council members making at least $75K annually a year, it was posted in a news bulletin a few months ago. Members of the Squamish Nation receive $1000 a year for distribution money from the Nation and that is all. A lot of members struggle with alcoholism, drug addictions and sexual abuse. The reserves are not places where you have to keep up with the Jones-es. The Nation spends around $40 million on programs and services a year to try and keep the people off the streets and get them treatment for their addictions. They have snowboarding teams and lacrosse teams for the youth. Programs for new mothers, health programs and counseling programs. A school for toddlers and community centre. The list goes on. So I hope this gives you an idea of where the money goes. As for the billboards, they are not half as ugly as the homes that are being built half way up our mountain sides, the ports that import plastic from China and export our trees and the empty rivers that use to be rich with salmon. That is what is ugly to me.
29 jen a // Aug 3, 2010 at 7:24 am
1) there should be a full ouit for were the finances are being used. (Look in the cheif and counsil pockets.)
2) My question why are the member who live off reserve get blacked balled cause of living in the (whity) communtiy?
3.) you’ve talked about discrimation,well being a member, living with the “whity” the treatment is unfair. It really depends on so called top of the totam pole affect. (who knows who, families names,)
4.) for years i’ve tried, To get the squamish to reconize my daughter as member. Families in the same situation are members. question? why? never no respone when inquired to cheif and counsel.
30 Leslie // Sep 1, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Maybe the day will come when “Equality” will have a true meaning and not fit someone’s personal definition. I am first nations and yes, it bothers me to see that first nations communities do not take pride in their ‘outward’ appearance. I’ve been in some ‘non first nation’ neighborhoods that looked pretty bad too but you never hear any criticism about that. It’s just ignored. The difference is that there are bi-laws and rules about having old banged up junker cars in your yard in most cities. On a reserve, it doesn’t matter. You can’t see what the inside of someone’s house looks like, regardless of what their nationality is. The European influence that raped and pillaged this land will always hide the truth of their ugliness. It’s painted nicely, has manicured lawns and big smiling faces.
31 Peter // Oct 5, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Your fXXXG (edited) retarded man! You have no idea what you talking about!
I’m pretty sure if your people were murdered, raped, force to go to residential school and where almost an extinct race. You would be a little fxxxxd up to!
Squamish Nation does have lots of Money.
But where does it go? It goes to elders services, children’ services, schooling is fully paid for for members, sports programs, recreational activities, salaries for the band managers, as well as the construction of new houses and buildings as well renovations of the older houses. All that money also has to be divided into equal parts through the Nation. And well or nation consists of 5,000+ members. How much is 1-2 million supposed to help these people. That’s 200-400 dollars to each member.
Another reason why the reservation. does not look nice, Is because all the members that make good money, don’t live on reservation. They live of reservation comfortably away from drugs, alcohol and violence.
And pretty much everyone else on the reservation can’t get work. Because your racist fxxxs won’t hire because you think we are all alcoholic’s, drug addicts, rapists and everything else you call. There’s not much you can do about it when, the only way to make a living is fishing down the river or selling drugs.
Canada and the US looks exactly the same, Squamish Nation has very beautiful land, landmarks, etc. But you decide to just look at the ugly. And that ugly is being fixed. All just like Canada and the US.
You don’t see me complaining about the ugly that is off reservation. Like dumps, the destruction of forests, the pouring of toxic waste into streams, ponds, rivers, etc. What about the Downtown East Side in Vancouver? Why don’t you complain about something that has to do with your own people before ours! Probably about 3/4 of the homelessness and poverty in Canada is from white’s!
You think the white man way is so much better? Why don’t you fix your own fxxxxg problems before you to fix our.
You are all a bunch of fxxxxg Hypocrites!
P.S. The reservation towards Deep Cove is not Squamish Nation Land, that is part of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Why don’t you get your facts straight before you start to comment and complain about this shit.
Your probably just an amateur blogger, who has no life. But to complain about stuff has nothing to do with you. You probably sit on your computer all day blog about stuff, get a comment back that makes you look like a fool. Then you just forget it and start another. Probably can’t get a girlfriend or even hooker for that matter. So you just whack off to amputee porn. Get a life besides complaining about others!
(Response: No, I wouldn’t hire somoeone who can’t seem to write paragraph without swearing. As for why don’t I write about white society ..clearly you aren’t reading this blog. Of 335 posts, all but one deal with what you call “white” society problems. If you really want to be treated like equals you gotta take criticism sometimes too … and deal with the issue …not just use profanity. h.o)
32 jen a // Nov 21, 2010 at 3:01 am
The Nation pays for garbage removal and once a year the community has a major cleaning removing larger iteams.
33 ed // Nov 29, 2010 at 6:42 pm
look at how you we’re raised
look at how natives we’re raised ..i say raised because everything in their lives was taken from them & had to start over with new caregivers..(they we’re not raised well)..you should look at that problem.
your blog seems to be a misinformed rant that blames others for what you think your people want to hear. grow up.
what you think is ugly is just natural to the inhabitants of the area.it is what they know.
btw your obesity is ugly no one wants to see it..i’m sure you have the funding to beautify your gut.
in a strange way it’s kind of the same issue..you can but you don’t ??
your malls are ugly ..your skyscrapers are ugly..your smog & industrial waste is ugly..??
maybe you should look in the mirror first .
pce.
34 Squamish Member // Dec 17, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I am a Squamish Nation member, and I understand your complaint. However, your time might be better spent “keeping it real” by discussing a more important issue — corruption within the Nation.
Yes, the SN gets millions of dollars from the government, but the “leaders” fleece off the top, overpay themselves, appoint relatives and friends to top positions, and screw over the other less affluent members.
Contrary to popular misconceptions, a lot of members do live in poverty, are scraping by, and have grown up in terrible environments of abuse and dysfunction. To try and get any help from the Band for education, housing, special healthcare (disabled children, mentally ill, elders) is extremely difficult and they make it near impossible. (Not to mention SN members play our their personal vendettas and prejuidices while looking over applications and requests.)
I’d like to see someone “keep it real” about the real issues! Maybe someday someone will grow some balls and make a site about what really goes on!
35 James R // Apr 15, 2011 at 6:12 pm
@ Harvey Oberfeld,
If you have the time and inclination, you might read the recently voted on, (and rejected by Membership), Squamish Land Code available on the band’s web site. It showed an intent on the part of the Chief and a few leaders to permanently set in concrete their power over their own people.
The Squamish Membership voted against it on April 7, 2011. Evidently, no one in the MSM seemed aware of the momentous vote, except Global News. This new “partial constitution” for the Squamish Nation was intended to place absolute power over Lands and other critical pieces of band affairs, squarely into the hands of the Chief.
The complexities of the document which was voted on, were purposely formed in legal abstract terms, to such a degree that only a couple of the band members would be able to comprehend it.
First Nations Autocratic, even Dictatorial Governance, along with inattention of the Federal and Provincial government bureaucracy, have been responsible for the sad “state” of affairs on reserve lands.
Across Canada, dictatorial systems of government along with help from lawyers, have entrenched and fostered abuse of power, and have ignored the critical elements of enriching native people over the long term.
For the first time, probably in history, the Band Membership went against their own senior leadership with a very vocal landslide majority of 60%. This was a historical event.
The Squamish Membership should now move forward to provide itself its own system of checks and balances, and step out from under the autocratic governance that it has been subjected to. The Chiefs and a few around them have squandered wealth, but more importantly, have suppressed and damaged the spirit of their own people.
Perhaps the Squamish Nation Membership will lead the way.
(Response: I was somewhat aware of the vote…but being retired, didn’t take the time to delve into it. Wish the worknig media, though, would take more of an interest in the subject. h.o)
36 Arlene Winterstein // Sep 22, 2011 at 1:53 am
Hi, I’m a new resident of the residential area under the Lionsgate Bridge in West Vancouver.
If you knew the history of the land that we inhabit here, you would understand why may appear
to some of you as a gravel pit.
This area was a beach and river (Capilano) along with other streams that covered this area.
It in fact is a RIVER BED, NOT A GRAVEL PIT.
It is ground that is very hard to work with in ground preparations for residential purposes.
(Response: Believe it or not, these days there are ways to beautify a site … IF the residents/owners want to. If they don’t want to, that’s fine too. But in my view it look like crap. h.o)
37 Someone // Nov 17, 2011 at 9:39 pm
So why do the “white” people complain about the new SN billboards? makes no sence cause billboards are EVERYWHERE on off-reserve land some are way uglier than theirs. and yeah SOME parts of the reserve are ugly. who cares ? SOME parts of off-reserve are ugly. Maybe you just want everything more of an artificial look like the rest. but is that whats really important to you? Life shouldnt be all about the looks and paving roads and cutting down trees and bushes to make things fancy. Yeah some people should be cleaning up there yards but whatever. Get over it, if this is your concern then fix up ur own yard.
38 Assweasel // Nov 17, 2011 at 11:05 pm
So whats the Hullabaloo all about.
Age old story one group of ppl trying to impose upon another group, values, esthetics etc.
I like the look of that area. It reminds me daily that not everyone thinks they need to live in this plasticized society we call “the norm”.
Be cold , be hurt, be hungry, be homeless and go knock on the door of the house with manicured lawns. and pristine shrubbery. The only help you will find there is when the Police come and arrests you for disturbing the “good citizens.
Now go and knock on any one of those doors in what you call “the gravel pit” asking for the same help and you will find it without question.
Some people try and hide how ugly and mean spirited they are behind a facade of whitewash and lilacs.
Everything is so fake nowadays even this ideal you have of how a neighborhood should look.
You speak of community but you don’t even know what that word means. I have neighbors that I have lived next to for 6 years and I don’t even know their names. And not from lack of trying.
Try the gravel pit out and i bet you everyone knows everyone in the whole neighborhood. Probably even know their birthdays etc.
And you think this cosmetic ideal you have of a neighborhood builds community?
LOL! Not! it separates.
First of all your afraid to upset your neighbor by even stepping foot on his lawn or god forbid hitting a baseball into his backyard..
Then you have to keep up and maybe even do one better than your neighbor with his new topiary.
Give me the gravel pit any day! Even with all its problems. At least it is a real place with real ppl not some some really strange Stepford existence i find myself in now.
As for the signs i bet you the elders and leaders are all having a good chuckle over that one.
Yeah they are ugly about as ugly as the way of life all the ads on them are trying to sell you.
But wait a minute is that not exactly what this topic was all about in the first place?
The ugliness of a community!
Not only is the Squamish Nation able to rub our faces in how ugly our own communities really are. But we are paying them to do it as well.
My hat is truly off to the Squamish Nation for the humor i am sure they all find in this.
As for My moniker. It comes from an Alien in a Steven King Book. Because more and more i feel the world is becoming a very strange place to me.
The way I feel about things and the way i see things has often made me wonder am i some type of Alien!!
39 twodogs22 // Jan 19, 2012 at 8:11 am
well you white people don’t have it right yet….you fall for the belief that you cannot do anything about the billboards….cause you where told that it was reserve land and therefore had to accept that the squamish nation was putting up the billboards. DID YOU KNOW THAT THROUGH YOUR FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS YOU COULD DO SOMETHING…..THEY ARE THE ONES THAT CREATED THE LAWS ON THE RESERVE AND THE LAWS THAT YOU HAVE TO LIVE BY BECAUSE OF THE SEPARATION OF THE RESERVES. your governments are still making the laws that govern us and govern you….and you still think you don’t have a say. well i have been saying for years and questioning for financial disclosures from both your governments and my c/c to find out myself where the money is coming from and where it is going. and not once have received an answer to my requests. if you look closely at this there are two different things being talked about here….one is money received from the federal government and the money made by the squamish nation. well the government can and does force financial audits from the squamish nation because the squamish nation would not receive any money from the federal government if they did not. and the squamish nation does not have to give financial audits for revenue money made by the squamish nation. so the question i ask is how do you get answers from a dictator system here on this reserve and force c/c to disclose how much and where does the money made go…..cause we sure do no see it and if it is given…..it is not given fairly or equally to all members…..there is favourtism, nipitism, prejudice within the community
40 Adelaide Ambers // Jan 22, 2012 at 5:11 pm
HO, nice way to bring the ugliness out of people. These comments bring us back to square one. Look inside yourself and see what ugliness brought this out.
(Response: How ridiculous. To criticize billboards or gravel pit housing is NOT allowed?? I believe in EQUALITY ..not just giving one group or another a free pass on everything. Ugly is ugly … and those signs and that housing are ugly. And the hundreds of thousands who dirve over the Burrard or Lions Gate Bridges each week know exactly what i mean…and I’m sure most would agree. But what has turned out be even uglier has been the over-the-top or sometimes racist responses the topic has elicited from those who just can’t take legitimate criticism. h.o.)
41 Sheshe // Jan 25, 2012 at 8:31 pm
What about the people who control the funds? This isnt so much about the people living in the homes it is more their government hemerging the funds earned into other get rich quick sceams. This article only outs down the people living on reserve which I know would not live this way givin the choice!
42 Arlene Winterstein // Jan 25, 2012 at 10:52 pm
is it h.o. that says that our community is ugly?
well some say that rome was not built in a day.
as some squamish nation members are VERY concerned with how our neighbourhoods look. i’d like to say that it takes time and money to work on these things.
and yes…we (wee) members DO have barriers to overcome at the lower levels to even get the attention of our OWN POLITICIANS using all the monies for their own larger projects. i don’t think they are even noticing our neighbourhoods, as most of the richer guys don’t live with us or care.
we have to lobby them just to get garbage or spring cleaning piles taken away!
that is what you see when you look off the bridge>> piles of furniture and construction refuse that needs to be taken away with the swipe of a pen that is in the hand of the Band Council, as it has to be ok’d by them first as we have been told we too (the squamish band) is in a huge deficit now with the huge land purchase in Squamish.
now the more immediate needs of band membership may not be heard so readily, as the main guys (Calla and Company) are heading off for some large gathering with Sean Atleo.
(Response: I NEVER said your “community” is ugly. I said the signs ARE ugly and I believe the band members are hypocritcal talking about protecting mother earth etc..and then spoiling it despicably with such ugliness for a few bucks. And the gravel pit housing IS ugly too. But that doesn’t make “the community” ugly …just some VERY PUBLIC parts of it. But, judging by the many comments and private notes i have received from band members, I think you should be much more concerned about how/where all your band funds are spent. All my requests to the band for budget documents went unanswered. And you should really be worried about that rather than what h.o. thinks of your ugly signs etc. h.o.)
43 I_Love _Haters // Jan 28, 2012 at 3:12 am
WHAT A RIDICULOUS TOPIC. Ridiculous comments from all, that have gone beyond the 1st commenter post. Yes Assweasel, I find it all quite humorous ! This is coming from a Nation member who resides in & has for the majority of my life in the above mentioned Community. I have lived outside my community, educated outside, worked & payed taxes outside. As well as traditionally educated inside my community. Why does a driver going over the bridge care or need to comment that we do not care about a lush green lawn ? Chemicals added, water wasted etc…. this is just 1 example that we can all go back & forth on and never agree. As we all have our own priorities, opinions, laws, beliefs and such. Amazing how many take on junk that gets them into debates on “I am right”, so you must be wrong. How about “I hear your position” please hear mine. Yes, if you knocked on a door here and needed assistance, you wouldn’t be ignored. Wishing all on here a great start to 2012. hugs, love & peace.
44 Arlene Winterstein // Feb 4, 2012 at 2:47 am
Oh believe me Oberfeld…
we are very concerned where our funding is going.
we do everything we can to get audits and see financial reports all to no avail.
i am not too sure why our membership is so powerless in getting the answers. you wouldn’t happen to know any laws that would refer to band management in Canada that makes the leadership accountable to its members?
we have real estate venturers and guys sitting on different boards all over b.c. making deals on the Squamish Nation’s behalf without getting any permission whatsoever.
these guys are hired by the band to to make deals that sometimes go wrong. once we lost over 2 million dollars to one of the guys who gambled it away in the stock market. was he made accountable? not too sure.
if we speak out about anything, (see Squamish Voices latest protest in Vancouver) we are told we are trouble-makers.
they then cut off our supports by giving us a hard time when we try to apply for our services as a punishment for voicing our concerns about where the monies are being spent.
Bill Wilson just posted on this kind of stuff going on in different bands leaving the general membership poor while the band council members and their staff and families live on the high road. you can see this article on our page Squamish Voices in facebook.
We general members are just ignored by the high rollers (guys given permission to take the money and run), sometimes nearly getting run over by their BMW’s (literally) if we are walking in their way on our streets.
if you ask me, if our leaders cannot answer questions now from their people, what do you think they will do to the membership if they go self-government? our elders always warned us about the politicians in the band asking to go self-governing, as this would make them invincible in a way in their decision making which could lead to dictatorship.
the people with all the power only need the numbers to count to hand over to the province and the country to get funding which gets filtered out for selfish needs like private real estate purchases and trips. this money as you have seen in the Attawapiskat situation doesn’t always make it to the people.
i feel that every band in canada should undergo some scrutinization for the people’s health and well-being.
(Response: My heart goes out to you. I wonder what would happen if several of you got together and went to the feds …aboriginal affairs …with your complaints listed in writing? Or approach the Globe anbd Mail for an investigation/story if aboriginal affairs do nothuing? Good luck. h.o)
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