Posting this open letter, Addressed to: Hon Christy Clark, Premier BC. Subject: Grace Islet in Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island We perceive that something is seriously missing in the discourse regarding the Grace Islet development, that being a residential home being built over top of a First Nations burial site. We as human beings are spiritual by nature, more or less so depending on our inclination and context. It is this spiritual element in us that generates the care and love for our parents, partners, children, and friends, indeed our respect for fellow human beings. It is essential to our humanity. In fact, this inner spirit has inspired and guided the creation of our liberal democratic society, our foundation of justice and democracy, our tradition of social justice. Today, late 2014, it is clear that there is an inequity of justice regarding the Grace Islet development. It may not have been so clear when nearby Grace Point was developed in the 80’s or when the property was purchased in 1990. But today, the ground has shifted and the injustice of the current situation has moved beyond doubt in the eyes of a great many people. How else can one explain the extent of the outrage in the Salt Spring community and beyond? Given Grace Islet is unquestionably a First Nations spiritual site, is it not required that the cultures in conflict here truly seek out common ground? Just as we would ask all the parties involved, we want to ask you and all those within the BC government, staff and political, “Have you stepped back to revisit the Grace Islet issue from your own sense of humanity?” One can only speculate why this situation persists, especially in light of the Tsilqot’in Nation Supreme Court decision and dissertations such as ‘The Comeback” by John Ralston Saul. As it now stands, there are no winners, everyone loses – Mr. Slawsky, First Nations, the Provincial Government, and the Salt Spring and larger BC community. On a broader scale, Grace Islet stands out as a visible continuance of past injustices. It signals a step backward from reconciliation and healing. So, how to move forward to a winning Grace Islet outcome? Where there is the will we believe that a return to first principles of humanity can enable the participants to find common ground. It may yet be possible to find a just and fair resolution to the Grace Islet issue. Given the visibility of this issue, such common ground may lead much further. In British Columbia society we are at a historic crossroad. The question is not simply, “What should be done about Grace Islet?” but,“What impact might our decisions here have on the larger BC agenda of social and cultural reconciliation with First Nations affecting not only social justice but shared sustainable resource development.” So Grace Islet is actually an opportunity. It can be the start of a sea change in accommodating our ancestral cultures within our developing society. So we respectfully ask you, Premier Christy Clark, to exercise leadership. The moment is ripe for a new direction driven by our humanity, supported by the federal Supreme Court decision. Great changes in the path of history often come from a decisive small step; let Grace Islet be the beacon to a positive new direction. Sincerely, The Social Justice Committee, Salt Spring United Church Cc: Hon S. Thomson Minister MLA, Mr. B. Slawsky, Gary Holman MLA, Elizabeth May MP With copies also to: The Driftwood, Vancouver Sun, Victoria Times Colonist, Island Tides
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:32:10 +0000
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