LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We all need to “do better” on diversity
“Equality matters; (having) many diverse voices matters,” Michelle Obama told the packed house at SaskTel Centre on March 22. Yet in her stop in Saskatoon it appeared that only fair-skinned adults were invited to share the stage with her.
Even though Obama has long talked about the importance of consciously choosing to “do what’s right,” and to take action to increase representation and inclusion of those who have previously been excluded, no Indigenous elder or leader, nor youth (of any race or gender) was given representation in welcoming her to our territory.
With her focused work on exercise and nutrition initiatives, increasing youth retention in schools, and on supporting young women to find their confidence and voice, it would have been so wonderful to have a female student from Oskāyak, Westmount, or the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre share some of the creative, homegrown initiatives in these areas taking place in our own communities.
Sadly, despite the previous day being the “International day for the elimination of racial discrimination,” what we showed to Obama, and the rest of the world, is that Saskatoon hasn’t fully integrated her message of the need for us all to “do better” to challenge the status quo.
When planning any event, we are all responsible for paying attention to who is invited and who is excluded, who speaks and who is silent, whose image is privileged and whose is made invisible. For as Obama reminds us, the next generation is watching all we do.
Erika Faith, Saskatoon
Build event centre and they will come
There is the burning question again about whether there is a need for a downtown event venue. Of course, like the last time (over 30 years ago) there seems to be much controversy and question for the need. I liken it to what I’ve heard about the stock market. Once you hear about a “hot stock,” it’s too late to make money on it. This is a similar situation. Once we start talking about it as a city, its need has already passed.
I had the opportunity to spend a few years in the bowls of SaskTel Centre during events. First and foremost, if you don’t understand the catering industry you will never know how much lost revenue occurs when the proper facilities aren’t available. Next is the question of multiple event opportunities on one day. How are such opportunities prioritized and how many are lost?
When thinking about the need for another city owned or possibly a P3 arrangement venue, don’t think from a “do we really need one” perspective. Rather, think about how much our growing city is missing from not having one.
Bryon Marion, Saskatoon
Downtown arena is not a priority
Let’s step back and take a deep breath. A group of downtown business types suggested that what we need and more importantly what they need is a new arena, of course in a downtown location.
Downtown Saskatoon is a sorry shadow of its past and has been in decline for years. Approximately 25 per cent of the downtown core is vacant land used for parking in order to pay the taxes on it for the speculators who own it; business openings and closures are frequent in our shaky business climate.
So let me ask this council and said business types why should I spend my tax dollars and swallow future huge tax increases to help them shore up dying downtown in order to secure their personal livelihoods.
Saskatoon is not going to be the metropolis of your dreams and we have enough on our plates for now with a large debt load, rapid transit waiting to become a fiasco and a railway issue that can only mean more massive tax increases.
If the business associations want a new arena, let them buy the land, put in the infrastructure and build it themselves.
Quit denigrating the existing facilities and creating a frenzy to promote a facility that is not needed at this time. Come back to me when Saskatoon reaches 400,000 souls; then we’ll talk.
Robert S. Hampton, Saskatoon