A7 - Sunday News, December 14, 1980 EE mailbox Church is a symbol of oppression Dear Editor: In the Vancouver Sun article of the fund-raising dinner for St. Paul’s Church on the Squamish reserve in North Vancouver on Tuesday, Nov. 18, Louis Miranda is quoted as saying, “It saved the lives of all the Squamish people.” “It is a heritage for the Indian people,”” agreed Simon Baker. “It is a symbol of native Indian Culture,” said Grace McCarthy. St. Paul's is nor a “heritage for the Indian people” nor is it a “symbol of Native Indian culture” any more than Simon Baker is when he appears in public in_ his Plains Indian costume beating his “tom tom”. It did not save, but destroyed the lives of all the Squamish people. The church is a symbol of defeat, oppression, ignorance and of a sell-out to threats of blackmail. It is a White building built by Whites for a White religion. Its architecture is not at all Indian, nor is the philosophy behind it. In the 1850s, Squamish guerillas, fighting to maintain the independence of their nation, in the face of a European invasion backed by superior arms and un- fathomable English deceptions, were threatened by Col. Richard Moody with the slaughter of the whole nation. With a gun at his head, the chief agreed to allow missionaries to induct his people into their cult. Many Squamish people were rewarded for playing ball with the Europeans, by selling out the rest of their driving around the Squamish reserve: first to Park Royal, then the International Plaza Hotel, the trailer park, the marina; then to the cheap, junky houses of the Squamish people. Where is all the revenue from the developments? Not with the people! Where is the Squamish Nation? Nowhere! Are Louis Miranda and Simon Baker Indians? No; they are Christians. Alderman explains his position Dear Editor: The North Shore News, both in its Dec. 3 and Dec. 7 issues reported that North Vancouver District council had voted in favour of ad- ding two more aldermen, increasing the number from the present six to eight. You also reported that I voted against such an increase. In fact, no such vote has taken place. Council merely voted in favour of taking this matter to bylaw for final decision. In the past, I have campaigned vigorously for this very thing and I still believe in maximum representation. However, I did vote against sending this to bylaw at the present time and for a very good reason. As you know, both councils have set up an advisory task force consisting of Mayor Bell from the District and Alderman Sorenson from the City to come up with terms of reference on procedure for amalgamation of the City and District. Hopefully we will hear from them soon. In the meantime, | think we should wait before we make a final decision on the matter of eight aldermen. It can only complicate the whole issue, which to my way of thinking, is of con- siderable importance to both City and District residents. This is why, at this par- ticular time, I voted against dealing with the issue of eight aldermen. Ernie Crist N. Van. District alderman Charter needed to change society Dear Editor: We need courageous Christian politicians to appeal to man's higher nature and to oppose per- missive law which caters to selfish individual mghts and irresponsible freedom. Our free society has reached such extremes as to make the innocent young, and the family in general, defen- seless against certain 1n- dividuals. The results of the Amencan 1980) clections, whereby a profile president with a Christian platform was elected, demonstrated that the mood is developing in American society for government to come to the rescue of the family and to have the state put the cm- phasis on human obligations before selfish human nghts. The public instinct for survival is awakening in Canada also to the need for a return to freedom im _ the traditional democratic sense whereby it was granted conditionally to the fulfilment of the individuals moral obligation, that 1s, the individual's mght must be subordinated to his obligation to mnaocent life, to the family, and the common good, but not- withstanding to his Creator's commandments. These obligatons must be in- corporated in a Charter of Human Rights tf we want to change our chaotic society pohtcally for the better and avoid further bloodshed and possible communist or fascist take-over. More people should white to the Provincial Premiers Likes H-F the way it is Open letter to Mayor Loucks Ths letter ts to let) you know of my thoughts regarding Hamilton Fell ‘Thais arca is to my lhking as a singic family dwelling arca I wantit to remain as such Ihe developers seem to thank they are our answer because they believe they can improve this arca | wouldn't have bought into thes area af To felt ato was slum bound A redevelopmenat program will not help me af Pam no ] was asked if 1 thought this arca was a slum DINING LOUNGE longer here WEST VANCOUVERS WONGS WOK, QGaarme Cartoneee Case ERR {a 926-7371 7 a ORDER IN CHINESE and | replied -- these pnces? What more do we necd than a park on both sides of our homes. What al an clementary figh = school within walking distance, and a large shopping centre close by’ We have a bus service and = jumor enabling us to travel in any direction throughoul our beautiful city. Why should I want to move out of an arca so many people want to move into” L Napier North Vancouver Weve Got Em,., All Sizes... Great Shapes. CHRISTMAS TREES farm grown ye Rees ») a\s& Maple Leaf. living trees & fresh holly t Garden Spots and the M.P.s and express their concern. L.J. Matte Prince George 980-68 14 The church has done its job. It has destroyed the Squamish nation. Let the building subside into the earth where it belongs. The Squamish longhouse, used for winter dances and traditional ceremonies, burned last spring. Why is $500,000 slated for the renovation of an ex- travagant, over-elaborate church, a destruction and desolation, when the real Indian winter dances and ceremonies are housed in a 2x4 and plywood shed called a longhouse? The half million dollars should be spent replacing the burned longhouse with a real Indian “heritage” building, a genuine symbol of a new and _ vibrant Squamish nation. 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