Upon reading of Parks Canada's attempt to preserve some of the cultural landscapes of Aboriginal peoples I was somewhat dubious. Can this government institute "encompass the traditional values of Aboriginal peoples, including spiritual views of the natural world and associative values in the land, while still being understandable to Board members whose world views are typically based in Western historical scholarship."?
I have driven from coast to coast four times and have seen many of these so called historical sites. From Crawford Lake in Ontario, Indian Head Sask., the Badlands in Alberta, and the Pacific Trail or Stanly park BC Historical landmarks, these sites are usually a plaque with a paragraph explanation. At no point does the cultural and historical significance of these places come through. Historian Susan Buggy defines an Aboriginal cultural landscape as a "place valued by an Aboriginal group (or groups) because of their long and complex relationship with that land. It expresses their unity with the natural and spiritual environment."( http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/r/pca-acl/sec4.aspx)The anthropological activity used here is an attempt at applied or practising anthropology in where the HSMBC in trying to "solve a problem and achieve policy goals" (textbook)The website acknowledges and need for change and if we cannot preserve the actual historical sites I hope we can preserve the spirit and symbolism of these treasures.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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I enjoyed your point of view. Very thought provoking and quite accurate. I do agree that there is very little recognition given to the aboriginal cultural contributions to society in general, but it is very evident in Canada's national parks.
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