Editor:
Re: Do as we say, not as we've done, Murphy's Law, Jan. 18
First, in the name of full disclosure and to prevent the usual racist slur that eventually is thrown out when one disagrees with First Nation plans, I am of aboriginal descent. My great grandmother was of the Ojibway Nation, who was deprived of her status when she married a white man. My relatives lived in Northern Ontario and knew only to well the scourge of racism and poverty.
The editorial and other comments like it reveal a basic misunderstanding of a great deal of the discussion taking place in regards to the mega mall.
The whole NIMBY thing is thrown out as a meaningful conversation stopper and if that doesn't work, predictably the use of the you-did-it-why-can't-they argument is used. This merely serves the interest of developers and the short-term economic fix being thrown out by those who stand to immediately gain financially in the building of this mall.
The latest economic argument for this kind of development is that it is increasingly difficult for developers to find enough land to build mega malls.
Well, duh, that's because in the 21st century it has been recognized by investors and long-term money managers that productive agricultural land in urban areas will provide an excellent return on investment.
Why? Because people always need to eat and like precious metals, the land cannot be reproduced. Don't believe me? Google AGCAPITA and see what it has to say about putting agricultural land in your RRSP. Yes, productive agricultural land is a recommended retirement income investment.
Compare that to investing in companies that build malls and similar mega developments. How many are aware the mall developer, Ivanhoe Cambridge, has had a project stalled for the last three years in Burnaby, next to mega mall Metrotown?
Remember the ill-fated Olympic Village? This kind of "arrested development" is happening worldwide and is a hangover from the development template of the 20th century.
Let's change the conversation from past blame and misplaced guilt. Let's allow aboriginal people to learn and profit from the mistakes of the last century and participate in what is happening in this one.
The TFN treaty was supposed to be a vehicle that would give a secure future to generations of the Tsawwassen people, of which there is about 450 in total, half of which live and work in other cities, provinces and countries.
Members are being sold the old economic model of paving over land that has been used to grow food, when really, by preserving and working the land in agriculture, it would provide the jobs and wealth the treaty was supposed to secure for the TFN.
The agricultural industry provides well paid management, scientific, educational, supply chain, tourism and retail opportunities for many now and the TFN is in a position to provide its members with excellent and long-term opportunities for the future.
A modern agricultural and cultural use of the land would truly draw people and would not require the selling of their future to international developers, who, as the economic meltdown has shown, put executive bonuses first.
Worldwide, fertile agricultural land is being bought up by investors who recognize that in the future, agricultural land will be more precious than gold. Those who possess it, look after and preserve it will be rich and powerful for many generations.
Unfortunately, this alternative has not been openly explored even though there are TFN members who have tried to bring it forward. Their vision has been silenced by well-meaning editorials and attitudes such as this.
Yet, why is it that the unacceptable practices of the past century must be accepted by my ancestors as a way of "saving" us? Once again, I fear, we are being bought off by buttons and poisoned blankets.
Debbie McBride
