Squamish Billboards
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.
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I agree with you- sure the billboards may be ugly but what’s even more ugly is not allowing young people having opportunties to expand their education, passions for life, and giving them a smile.
Your article also reminded me of the movie, “The Age of Stupid” where a woman was able to keep a wind mill out of the community because it was “aesthetically unappealing”- altough it would provide clean, renewable, cheap energy.
I agree with you- sure the billboards may be ugly but what's even more ugly is not allowing young people having opportunties to expand their education, passions for life, and giving them a smile.
Your article also reminded me of the movie, "The Age of Stupid" where a woman was able to keep a wind mill out of the community because it was "aesthetically unappealing"- altough it would provide clean, renewable, cheap energy.
So you are psychic and are able to read people’s thoughts. What if they just don’t like the signs is there something wrong with a person’s opinion because it conflicts with yours?
Natural beauty is one thing – and destroying it is also not good but being barraged with ads is not good either, perhaps these people do not like seeing bill boards? Anyway it is mostly a non issue as neither of us are from Vancouver.
So you are psychic and are able to read people's thoughts. What if they just don't like the signs is there something wrong with a person's opinion because it conflicts with yours?
Natural beauty is one thing – and destroying it is also not good but being barraged with ads is not good either, perhaps these people do not like seeing bill boards? Anyway it is mostly a non issue as neither of us are from Vancouver.