Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jul 2007
Source: Queen Charlotte Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Queen Charlotte Observer.
Contact:  http://www.qciobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2681
Author: Sarah McCanna

MORE THAN ANGER NEEDED

Editor, Sir;

I have been thinking a lot about our beautiful island Haida Gwaii, 
and the recent picture scandal. Thinking about it and hearing about 
it everywhere. As to our island is such a tight knit community that 
news travels fast. Most of the time the story isn't always right. A 
lot of people like to stretch the truth. To try to get over the wrong 
that has been done. It is always easy to point a finger and say that 
you did this, but own up to it. Yeah, what was done was wrong, but 
you know what...I think that it isn't just the photographer's 
fault...Maybe we should be pointing a finger at the people that are 
giving Haidas a bad name. Maybe they shouldn't be out partying every 
weekend, all night long, snorting coke.

Be mad all you want. That's not going to help anything? Our community 
has been dealing with a drug problem for years. It's about time that 
it's been exposed like it has. What is it saying to my generation? I 
look around in shame, I look and see my former classmates, and 
childhood friends, all into partying, some even getting messed up on 
Ecstasy. Dropping out of school, thinking that all they have to do is 
sell drugs, and they'll be balling in life. I wonder where they 
learned it from? Yeah, we can all deny it and say, 'oh they learned 
it from television, and the entertainment industry.' The thing is 
Television, and the entertainment industry, they warn us what the 
consequences are of drinking, and doing drugs. I've seen a lot of b.s 
in this community. What really gets me going is that our community 
has made these signs that are posted all over. 'DO YOU KNOW WHO'S 
SELLING DRUGS TO YOUR KIDS'...

Well everyone knows who it is. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to 
know. Why are these signs up? I don't know, but it really makes me 
mad. Don't put the signs up unless you really care. I'm sure there 
are a lot of people that care and want to bring these drug dealers to 
justice. It's just that something should be done...Myself am a 
teenage girl, would try to do something about it, but who actually 
cares what a girl entering adulthood has to say about these minor 
problems we have. I've known lots of adults who couldn't do anything 
about these situations. No one wants to listen, they just want to 
misrepresent our island. Making tourists believe we have it all. What 
a joke? Embarrassed of the recent pictures that have been put on the 
internet for the world to see?

You can make him take it down, and delete them, but were still going 
to have this problem with partying and drugs. If you want our Haida 
nation to survive, then please resolve this matter in a way that can 
actually make a change. Get rid of those who sell drugs. Don't 
protect them, they may be relatives of yours, but just think to the 
future. Is this the right way to go?

No, drugs are killing our people. It's making my generation drop out 
of high school. So if we want success in life, we got to bring it to 
ourselves. We need to get rid of the drugs and the alcohol. Yeah, 
it's fun to drink every now and then but every weekend? It's not 
necessary. So if you're my age? Go back to school, do something with your life.

Me, myself, I am working for success to show the world we aren't all 
drunks, and addicted to drugs. DRUGS+ALCAHOLuILURE, but 
School+University=Success!

The greatest thing in life. Success! I recently figured out what I 
want to be, a Medical Lawyer. Many people may not believe in me, but 
I'm going to do it. It will take a while for me to do it. In the end 
I'm going to be ballin'!

Anyways I'm done with my ranting and raving.

Sarah McCanna

Skidegate
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