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Lost Native Traditions


 The other day as I was walking in the hallway something came to mind.  Ever since my Eagle Feather blog many moons ago there hasn’t been any big Native events in the KMHC community room.  No smudge ceremonies, no Native foods, no Native prayers and no Native speeches to inspire …Zippo!  I’ve never seen the Housing Service Coordinator Ingrid Nosel ever host a Native ceremony I doubt she knows or speaks her own Native language which is quite pathetic and UNH’s hired her to run this place! :P  Jeezus!
As far as aboriginal artifacts there’s not much in the common areas of the building, in the basement they have a few pictures on the wall of native elders from “God knows where” they are certainly not past or present tenants. In the community room there is a smudge bowl that is never used and a few strands of sweet grass that is so old it’s not sweet anymore. No dream catchers, no Native art on display. The late famous Native artist Norval Morrisseau who I met and hung out with many years ago would be rolling in his grave.  I had a vision, it would have been fun this summer seeing young Native dancers and a few drummers singing and performing a mini show outside in the building courtyard for us and the neighbors.  Can you imagine the publicity and admiration we would get from the downtown Hamilton community, it would have been awesome.  But of course UNH's response to my idea would have been "Get Lost, We Have No Money"!  :(
Yes folks!…I would say Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou Housing Complex has lost it’s way, it is no longer unique in downtown Hamilton, it just another subsidized housing facility with the occasional invasion of bed bugs, so who should be held responsible for the lack of native tradition in this building?  *Points toward the HSC* :P
I also noticed in the Urban Native Homes website, the pictures they use for propaganda and exploitation are former tenants and one who is dead, I don’t know about you but I find it in poor taste. 


Summer is over and the autumn season is here Thanksgiving & Halloween is just around the corner and I’m looking forward to it.  In a few weeks the King clan will be meeting in Toronto for a huge Thanksgiving feast, it’s the one thing we do best…hosting a big bash and having fun. :)

Comments

Tony King said…
After re-reading this blog I have to admit this is one of my favorites. :)
February 20, 2014 at 11:29:00 AM EST
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