The town of La Ronge announced “Development Incentives Program” Jan 28, and one wonders, Where is Reconciliation in this picture?
I guess I’ve come to understand that those that are more vulnerable in this community, literally have no place. That was fairly clear in the zoning decisions made last year.
This is the picture of a capitalist, in Saskatchewan, more southern sense of a community.
I know if I really wanted to live in a southern community, I could have stayed there.
While I see on Facebook, the complaining about people knocking at their doors at night, trying to get in, for warmth, something to eat, someone to visit, their next fix maybe?
I have no idea why people in the community would be surprised to have folks at their doors in the night? This is probably going to grow, because, where does one go, when there is nothing? Less than they had for several years.
Several years ago, I attended a meeting of community members looking at what they wanted to see for La Ronge’s future.
The overwhelming response! Preserve the waterfront!
Well, that hasn’t happened and looks like it won’t according to this plan. Shoreline Commercial Districts, DISTRICTS yet, and even filling up the backyard with “garage and garden suites” are written into the plan.
Where do we talk, not only about the vulnerable people living amongst us, who have the right to live with care and respect, as we all do.
They’re not even on the map.
And Long Term Care, building a huge place, which means people from other communities will still have to travel, when we hear that people want to stay closer to home as they age.
And, my big question! What about the environment?
A group of people have been working very hard for several years to raise awareness about the value of the muskeg, which have so many important qualities that should be protected and enhanced to ensure, not only health for the people who live here, but for future generations, because the future of our home here, Earth, is looking pretty bleak.
A future of increased illness, mask-wearing, and who knows what, seems to be the reality we face.
We live in an area of such beauty and promise. While the Town makes these plans, we can look to our neighbours. Each of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) communities, have developed Land Based Learning camps, to give their youth an opportunities to learn about the land around them. Learn how to be self-sufficient, living off the land, as their ancestors did for thousands of years.
I can’t help but think – the Indigenous people of this land lived for thousands of years on this land. When the Settler’s came, the people living off the land were healthy people, the land was healthy.
It certainly is not now, nor are the people. Tri-Community, what a misnomers
It seems to me we are going in the wrong direction, which has been the practice for many generations now.
When is it time to take a hard look at what we are doing, and learn from the people who have lived on this land successfully for so long.
I’m not saying going back necessarily to living in the past, but, learning from the teachings of care, compassion and respect.
I remember being at an event, Barbara Coloroso, who my friend always refers to as the Goddess of Children, talking about the need to teach our children compassion. Compassion for ourselves, compassion for others, compassion for our environment, all that is around us.
I saw this beautiful baby with her mother, sleeping peacefully in her carrier, and, as I looked at her, I wondered.
What is the future for this little person, sleeping so securely in her carrier?
I want the future to ensure a brighter, healthier future for all babies like her and for everyone, people whose ancestors lived here for time immemorial and those who come to make their home here.
To build a healthy community and/or society, all aspects need to be included at beginning and woven through the entire plan, viewing all aspects as valuable.
Let it be a place of blended respect, compassion and care for all life around us, not just a few.
