Surrounding my work are buildings being built where there used to be sidewalk and buildings being renovated because they aren’t in use. Its part of what some call progress. Depending on how you measure it that might be the right word, but progress for who? That is the question. You probably don’t want to know the answer, if you have to ask then it ain’t you.

Microsoft, Apple and Amazon are all developing downtown. A historic site was part of one of those deals. The catch: they have to keep the shell. Its lipstick on a pig. It doesn’t enhance anything, it merely covers up the nature and reality of the situation. And, I guess, in that sense, it is all too appropriate.

Having them want to build in your area is like winning the corporate lottery. Municipally, provincially and federally, people drool at the chance to give tax breaks and incentives to billionaires who don’t need them.

This is nostalgia mixed with some sort of patriotism. Patriotism to a system and way of life that’s built on erasing Indigenous history and people while developing on their land and making absurd profits none of the original caretakers see.

I guess its fitting to have these corporations doing this.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I need to remember my lot in life. I’m told things will be easier this way.