Minutes after The Chief posted an online story on the Squamish Nation's latest plan for generating revenue, a firestorm of response has shown strong opposition.
And the debate has exposed how fractured the neighbouring communities truly are. The plan to erect a 10-foot tall, 36-foot wide electronic billboard on Highway 99 opposite the Stawamus Chief has led to accusations of greed and desecration of nature.
"Seems like an episode from the Twilight Zone," states on blogger.
"First a casino now a billboard," states another. "The Squamish Nation has gone too far."
One Facebook posting has even steered toward possible drastic solutions: "Looks like it'll be tricky to knock down, but we'll find a way."
Ana Santos's letter appearing on page A15 highlights one pervasive reason for dismay. To paraphrase: "We thought natives were all about nature."
That may be so in a traditional sense, but it's weak position to say you're disappointed in them because they don't live up to a stereotype.
Then again, Squamish Nation councillor Dale Harry's argument that limited fishing has led to the need for this source of revenue perpetuates the notion of a community subsisting entirely on nature.
The argument seems a bit of a stretch since commercial fishing has never generated substantial revenue for the nation. However if Harry's assertion refers to the quality of fishing before European settlement, situations like the Nation's support for the Ashlu project and Garibaldi at Squamish undermine the argument.
You just can't have it both ways.
The lack of consultation with their neighbouring community also stings.
Squamish Nation representatives told District of Squamish council members about the plan on Tuesday as a courtesy.
They presented the plan as a done deal, without inviting public comment, and one wonders whether they did so because they knew the town would revolt. There's no billboard of its kind in the entire Sea to Sky Corridor, and lots of folks around these parts are proud of that. Surely they must know this.
On the other hand, perhaps they don't. Perhaps they've well and truly adapted to a modern age by perfecting the very methods they've so often been subject to. The fact is the Squamish Nation has much more political power than little ole' Squamish, and they're not afraid to take the bull by the horns. They've got the ear of our provincial government and the attention of the federal government in a way the municipality never could, and they've also got the backing of the Assembly of First Nations.
Read carefully Coun. Patricia Heintzman's Council Corner on page A13 and the highwire act becomes apparent. So too does hopelessness for those wanting a reversal of the decision. Don't expect to see our elected officials make a fuss over a billboard - eyesore or no eyesore.
