Saying one thing, doing another.
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The deep connection to the Land is vital to First Nations. The relationship between the People and the Land is an integral component of First Nations governance. The authority and identity of the Nations come from and are tied to the Land. It is the Land that gives us our deep sense of place and our sense of self. For some Nations the very social structure of the community is embedded in the Land.
– Centre for First Nations Governance
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– Tsawwassen Mills land preparation
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“This development partnership is a major step toward achieving our community’s vision under our treaty,” Tsawwassen First Nations Chief Bryce Williams said in a news release. “Combined with our complementary agricultural, residential and industrial activities, this development is a significant move forward in creating a truly sustainable community for our members.”
– Construction begins on two new malls
This monster is such a monstrosity that, I’ll admit, I didn’t think that it would be built. Our host here drives me nuts with his doom and gloom predictions, but maybe he has a point. Cassandra was, after all, right.
And I’ll say it even more explicitly. This development makes a mockery of this: “It is the Land that gives us our deep sense of place and our sense of self. For some Nations the very social structure of the community is embedded in the Land.” Clearly it’s about the money. Not that this FN doesn’t have to right to pursue money like everyone else, but let’s skip the platitudes.
And this statement: “this development is a significant move forward in creating a truly sustainable community for our members” is also ridiculous although we hear something like it for every type of development like this. For things to be truly sustainable, the metric must be something more than a hope of income security. I doubt that paving farmland for parking would do very well with an expanded definition. Even the income security part seems suspect to me. This is an awfully retro form of retail development. Something like comprehensive road pricing could put a big dent into something like this.
It will be curious whether this initiative will succeed with the increase in online shopping-is a destination mall on the way to the ferry going to be a big draw? However, Gord Price’s Tsawwassen Mills can be morphed into “Tsaww Mills”, a tribute to Metro Vancouver’s wooden past.
Seems to me they are doing what they’re saying… FNG web site says economic realization (and development) is one of three principals that relate to “the land.” If current trends are sustainable, the parking lots will ond day be converted to high rise condo buildings, rapid transit will head to the new town center, and hopefully the ferry terminal too.
Some context …
http://www.biv.com/article/20140325/BIV0320/303259931/commercial-real-estate-report-retail-landscape-undergoes-overhaul
Interesting point, but then look at this way. The Tsawwassen FN settlement resulted in the band taking control of thousands of acres. These new malls are big, but are a small portion of the thousands of acres.
How would you like it you were told that you could not alter even a small portion of your property, to generate income or for any other reason you wanted, and that it had to stay as it was for the greater good of society?