***Mar 2006 Focus pg 1-32 - Focus Magazine

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CreativeCoast culture talks24 the arts in april26 vibe36 palette38 coastlines 40Re-branding VictoriaCHRIS CREIGHTON-KELLYLet’s recreate the city’s image by putting the land and its peoples front and centre.Tzinquaw and Thunderbird Bentwood Box, by John Marston (Coast Salish),2005, 28 x 15.5 x 15.5 inches, yellow and red cedar, cedar bark, paint, abaloneHe has had a few glasses of wine. So he, a non-native person,insists on telling me this: “There could be colourful banners,murals on the side of buildings, outdoor pole carvers and businessesselling aboriginal art.”I respond by saying this is what we already have in Victoria. He countersby saying yes, but we need more of it. He is well-intentioned, butapparently, in some cases, there is a limit to the human imagination!This exchange has sprouted from a lively dinner party conversation.All eight of us agree on one thing—the “little bit of old England” imagethat Victoria has projected to the world is in serious need of an update.A number of suggestions are floating at and above the table—an ecosustainablecity; an island/marine-based city; a high-tech city; an educationcity; an arts city. What would that look like? Who would need to investin that? Who would be the stakeholders in changing this image?Who would not want this to change?A few weeks earlier, giving four teenagers a ride into town, I overheartheir spirited mockery of fish and chips, tartan shops and tea inPHOTO COURTESY ALCHERINGA GALLERYthe afternoon. Someone suggests that the Inner Harbour feels like amovie set. I catch that most of this is for old people, that Victoria is notreally hip enough.And yesterday, at an art opening, the artist, while talking abouthis work, mentions that his creative community includes some musicalPeruvian friends, “…not what we usually associate with Victoria, it isnot known as a hotbed of Peruvian music.” Giggles all around thegallery audience.So it is in the body politic. Re-branding Victoria. Let’s face it, thislittle bit of old England thing was a little bit ill-fitting in the firstplace. Certainly it is true that folks from the UK were some of thefirst settlers to make contact with the indigenous people of this land.But telling a complete, honest tale of our city has to take into accountother folks with an Asian, African or South Asian heritage. Not tomention different countries in Europe.And most critically, any story—any history—of Victoria must putFirst Peoples first. I asked Janet Rogers, a Mohawk writer and Victoria’spoet laureate, about a new image.“First of all, I am curious about the intention of this re-invention.For me, if it is simply linked to tourism, that is problematic.”We talk about where any city’s image comes from. Usually it has itsroots in history and geography, however vaguely. From these two,certain myths are created. But sometimes these myths are imposedwithout a truthful evaluation of the past, without due consideration toall of its citizens.Rogers puts it this way: “For this image to be more authenticallyAboriginal, it has to be more than branding. Indigenous people need tobe consulted from day one. They need to drive the project, to design theprocess and to direct the activities that would comprise any new image.”Thinking about art, she continues, “Of course, there needs to be agreater presence of aboriginal art in the city. But we need to go fullcircle—there needs to be aboriginal culture, aboriginal life ways, foods,plant life...”She has my imagination stirring. This would mean a real re-think. Itwould involve starting with the land.I recall the vital work of Cheryl Bryce, a Lekwungen woman andlands manager of the Songhees People. Over the last two decades,she has devoted herself to researching, remembering and restoringIndigenous food systems in what is now called the CRD. She sees thisancient/new method of identifying, reclaiming and harvesting plantsas part of a de-colonizing process. She regularly gives what she calls“De-colonizing Tours.”I ask her if her work is for locals or tourists. “It can be both. Thereis a fine line there. I want to show people that the history of colonizationhas impacted the land and that this, in turn, affects all of us wholive here plus anyone who comes to visit—what we harvest, what weeat, what we consider as harvestable. The reason that our lush, localland base even exists is due to my ancestors. Especially the women bentover in the fields weeding, harvesting and burning.”She talks about how, “...an ecosystem works together and impacts24 April 2013 • FOCUS
FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, indigenous peoplehave stood here before us. To understand the meaningof this place, to (re)create an image for this place wenow call Victoria, we have an unambiguous, palpableresponsibility to begin with this fact.everything—history and culture. People need to know the truth, thereal story of colonization. We need to go farther back in time and godeeper in the present time.”I feel inspired. But I wonder how this could work in real life. I wonderhow to make us care about this—both the throngs of visitors and thoseof us who are lucky to live here.Cheryl affirms that she wants to see “the living presence of FirstNations people. I want to see it everywhere—owning the businessesthat sell our art, changing the street names, sharing the stories.”Maybe such an image change is not possible. Tourism is generallyaligned with relaxation, downtime and resting, not heated discussionsabout Canada’s colonial history!Marketing a place is not usually associated with being provocative.Those folks who are invested in a certain way of promoting our cornerof the planet do not really want controversy—contested history, contestedfutures—to intrude on a placid, easy-going narrative. Just jump on thedouble-decker bus, next we are off to see a castle.But all of this simply begs the question: Who decides a city’s image?Could it be its citizens, rather than its power brokers? Could it becommunity values instead of the imperative of commerce?It is hard to put a finger on Victoria’s exact values. It is some sortof amalgam that cares about outdoor activities; public and communityservice; respect for elders; local heritage; environmental sensitivity—especiallywater-based; art, performance and literary appreciation;gardening year-round; wellness at all ages; and a locavore, sustainablefood supply.Now put First Peoples—all of the Coast Salish people that aboundon the southern tip of our island—at the centre of this list. Notadded on, as an afterthought.If re-branding is to have any depth, it will mean re-imagining andthen re-constructing a new Victoria image. In our mediated world,more and more folks are seeking the real thing, the genuine article.And there is nothing more genuine than our relationship to the land.Perhaps a city’s image can be evocative, rather than provocative.Imagine standing at your favourite spot on the land. Or even better foran island, where this land meets the water. Now close your eyes. Forthousands of years, indigenous people have stood here before us. Tounderstand the meaning of this place, to (re)create an image for thisland we now call Victoria, we have an unambiguous, palpable responsibilityto begin with this fact.So, my fellow citizens, it is time to bid bye-bye to teatime at theEmpress. To Union Jacks on red buses.Are you ready for an extreme makeover?Chris Creighton-Kelly is a Canadian artist and writerwho lives in the Victoria area. Along with FranceTrépanier, he is the co-author of Understanding AboriginalArts in Canada Today.Holistic DentistDr Deanna Geddo DDS• aesthetic work emphasizingyour natural smile• amalgam removal• metal-free crowns,bridges, dentures• ceramic implants404 - 645 Fort St (across from Bay Centre)doctor_dg@shaw.ca • 250-389-0669www.integrateddentalstudio.caSupporting arts,culture and our community.John West & Holly Harper1286 Fairfield Road, Victoria250-385-2033 • www.HollyAndJohn.cawww.newportrealty.comWith 50 years ofcombined real estateexperience, Johnand Holly share yourpassion for GreaterVictoria's unique andexciting housingopportunities.www.focusonline.ca • April 201<strong>32</strong>5
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***Mar 2006 Focus pg 1-32 - Focus Magazine

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