Skip to main content

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
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Poor Working Environment

My unit is located near the KMHC office, along with a friendly wave or hello I see the junior staff going about their business in a cheerful manner with the exception of one employee.   You would think KMHC has a pleasant working environment but that is not the case.   March 2016 is when Urban Native Homes head office was forced to move from their former spacious location to the cramp basement level of KMHC.   There were approx. 8-10 staff members at the time.   Then the Urban Native Homes financial scandal broke out and soon after the current UNH acting director’s illicit past became public knowledge, everyone was worried will they have a job.  Fearful meetings going on in the community room, the rumor mill was in full rotation while I just stood back and observed the panic.   Check your search engine it states this building location is Urban Native Homes head office yet that is not correct.  There is no real head office, the organization has s...
110 comments
Read more

Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou

I hope one day we can truly say there is a haven where older natives who experienced homelessness can find a place to call home and have the resources available for the best quality of life in their golden years. Koo Ga Da Win Manitou Housing Complex has a long journey in order to reach that goal. Perhaps more funding is needed or better trained/experienced outreach workers who can relate to tenants concerns and health issues. Programs that would interest all tenants as a whole would be nice. Most important we tenants must try to get along with their neighbours. (as the good book says "Love thy neighbour") I've been here less then a year and I've observed alot, we have a diversity of tenants living in the building from different reservations and walks of life. Some have problems with alcohol, prescription drug addictions, physical disabilities and slight mental disabilities. The one thing we all have in common is our health concerns, from chronic back pain to deadly...
1 comment
Read more

The Ladies of KMHC

I & friend Teresa Last week I attended a program host by NWC Hamilton, it was there I met up with six female tenants of KMHC.   It was nice to see the ladies again I was greeted with hugs and smiles.   The program was Holistic teachings by Jane Burning she spoke about the Creator and positive thinking.   I enjoyed the presentation though it was a wee bit long.   During lunch break I had the chance to chat with the KMHC tenants to find out how’s life going at KMHC.   Things haven’t improved most tenants don’t like each other and there’s a lot of negative energy in the building.   I offered a sympathetic ear and didn’t judge as they shared their stories. The big problem with KMHC is tenant Aunt Opie and I’m glad she didn’t attend the NWC program.   You may recall I spoke of her in past blogs, aunt Opie’s negativity spreads throughout KMHC.   She brags about sending false complaint e-mails about tenants and staff to Justin the head direc...
Post a Comment
Read more