[Bcma-l] What to Do with the Begbie Statue at UVIC Law
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Sun, 2 Nov 2008 09:52:46 -0800
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It really bothers me that those who control history "historians and curator=
s" fail to tell the whole story when it comes to the history of the Aborigi=
nal peoples in Canada and how they were and continue to be treated. Failur=
e to accurately tell the story of colonization is a disgrace. When our cul=
tural institutions develop exhibits and portray the Aboriginal peoples with=
out a balanced story presented=2C then those institutions are guilty of "sa=
nitizing and 'correcting' Canadian history". =20
The comment=2C "Perhaps if we continued to confront history in its actualit=
y in our=0A=
books and museums=2C we would grow to an appreciation of our society=0A=
today=2C and perhaps=2C indeed we might learn something from it [condemned=
=0A=
to repeat etc. . . ]" sounds like =2Cif people see the truth for what it is=
in museums and books then they will become accustomed to seeing it=2C and =
accept it as modern practices. Perhaps this line of thought goes very well=
with those that deny a holocaust even existed=3B see no evil=2C speak no e=
vil=2C do no evil.
It seems that the continued masquerade is that society=2C represented by in=
stitutions=2C cultural centres=2C museums=2C court houses=2C etc. make no m=
ention of how the First Nations were cheated of everything=2C while going o=
n as if it is business as usual. The reality is that it is not business as=
usual. When ignorance is perpetuated=2C it only brings out anger and that=
is why a leading political figure's statue was toppled and the man beheade=
d quite recently. Do we want ignorance or do we want peace and righteousne=
ss? I want the latter.
This is a discussion as a result of some students at the University of Vict=
oria wanting to destroy the statue of the hanging judge Begbie=2C which is =
proudly and prominently displayed in the foyer of the law school. I made t=
he suggestion to have it moved before knowing that First Nation Elders perf=
ormed a ceremony and restored balance to that space -- my guess is that it =
should be left alone. It seems that there are at least two other locations=
(court houses) where Begbie's statue is also displayed. I have no informa=
tion to believe that balance is achieved in those locations. It has been s=
aid by at least one aboriginal law student that seeing Begbie=2C is like a =
Jewish person seeing Hitler. I think this discussion at the law school may=
have originally been prompted as a result of some recent newspaper article=
s that discussed how Aboriginal people are savages. =20
It is no wonder that Aboriginal people are demanding repatriation of their =
stolen ancestors' human remains and their stolen and misappropriated cultur=
al objects=2C to control the land and archaeological sites=2C and to bring =
their culture back. It is no wonder that Aboriginal people want their own =
cultural institutions to be able to tell their stories to the public so tha=
t history is not repeated. We are all human beings and we just want the ho=
nour and recognition of that. To be labelled a savage=2C or to be portraye=
d as life were prior to contact is problematic. The first contact settler =
people often were greedy men looking for riches and wealth without regard f=
or anybody else. They took Aboriginal women for wives and later abandoned =
them and their children=2C leaving a whole legacy of Metis peoples=3B there=
are court cases that chronicle this. Christoper Columbus was a slave trad=
ing tyrant=2C why do the history books not mention this? Why was Captain C=
ook killed by Aboriginal people? Why did the legal system in the 1850s pro=
tect the gold miners instead of call for justice when a Thompson Indian was=
hung for stealing a loaf of bread? Why don't we create exhibits that educ=
ate the public=2C why it is that Aboriginal people in Canada continue to re=
main in poverty=3B why drugs=2C alcohol=2C sexual abuse and suicide are so =
common on Indian Reserves=3B why the Indian Act was created and the problem=
s/benefits it has created=3B why Aboriginal people make up the highest disp=
roportional incarcerated demographic in prisons=3B why is there a New Relat=
ionship in BC=2C and moreover=2C why is it that Aboriginal people have a de=
ep spiritual connection with the land and environment that was given to the=
m by the Creator.
To me=2C a focus on Aboriginal peoples with special emphasis on indigenous =
legal traditions is very important. The law is evolutionary in nature and =
is now recognizing aboriginal law. Institutions that portray the history a=
nd the legal system should also portray Indigenous legal traditions as they=
are just as constitutionally valid as that of mainstream society. This go=
es back to a sacred treaty depicted in the two-row wampum signifying two ca=
noes=2C one for Aboriginal peoples and one for non-Aboriginal peoples.=20
If cultural institutions cannot and will not accurately and respectfully do=
justice for the history of Aboriginal peoples=2C then those institutions s=
hould make immediate deaccession plans to give back what does not belong to=
them. Also=2C the justice system has failed Aboriginal people=2C perhaps=
=2C Aboriginal people should have more support and weight given to their ow=
n legal systems. =20
I hold my hands up in the West Coast tradition of saying thank you to Sharo=
n Syrette for acknowledging that which I speak about.
BC150 Project Discovers Personal Stories=0A=
Sharon Syrette knows that the history of the early days of British=0A=
Columbia is not limited to the likes of James Douglas and Matthew=0A=
Begbie. Thousands of Aboriginal people and newcomers have shaped the=0A=
province into what it is today. =0A=
"It's important to remember stories of our leaders=2C but we should acknowl=
edge everyday people as well=2C" she said.=0A=
Syrette is one of the founding members of Ama Liisaos Heritage Trust=0A=
Society=2C based in Mission=2C which received a BC150 Mosaic Grant for its=
=0A=
project When the Others Came.
I do not masquerade behind an anonymous posting=2C
The Enlightened=2C Troy Hunter
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] What to Do with the Begbie Statue at UVIC Law
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca
Date: Fri=2C 31 Oct 2008 11:11:48 -0700
As a historian and curator=2C it really bothers me to see the continual pro=
gression of the sanitizing and correcting of Canadian history by the new ge=
neration enlightened.=0A=
Perhaps if we continued to confront history in its actuality in our books a=
nd museums=2C we would grow to an appreciation of our society today=2C and =
perhaps=2C indeed we might learn something from it [condemned to repeat etc=
. . . ]=0A=
=0A=
I don't think we are doing our future generations any favours by this conti=
nued masquerade [something to think about on Halloween].
=0A=
2008/10/30 <bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca>
=0A=
=0A=
Troy Hunter wrote:
=20
=0A=
=0A=
I think it is nice idea to get rid of the statue but I do admire the fine a=
rtistic details of it that show what he looked like way back when he was a =
riding judge for BC. I guess=2C I am a bit of a history buff=2C my undergr=
ad is in cultural resource management. My recommendation would be to put i=
t into some facility where the true story is told about what he did in rega=
rds to hanging people. I am sure that he was doing what a judge at that ti=
me and in his position would do. It really isn't (I don't think) about Beg=
bie's personal beliefs=2C it was probably more to do with his job. Which t=
hen points the finger of blame directly at the Province of British Columbia=
. Considering that they (BC) covered over the native images at the Legisla=
ture building=2C that there is a New Relationship and post residential scho=
ol apology=2C maybe Begbie's stern statuette should be replaced.=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
The Maritime Museum of BC is downtown Victoria and in the upstairs is the o=
riginal courtroom where Begbie presided. I think that the statue would pro=
bably best be displayed in that space. Perhaps=2C with some help from the =
Cultural Resource Management Program and the law school=2C a proper exhibit=
could be developed.=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
As for what to do with the space left behind at the former Begbie Building=
=2C (law school)=2C maybe something that is more on the idea of transformat=
ion=2C of change=2C of the future. I think that the time has passed to sto=
p putting historical murdering judges on a pedestal and to put something wi=
th a little more deference to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada=2C something=
that would represent indigenous law. What that would like=2C I really don=
't know but maybe that would the basis for a new call for artwork.=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
ANY TAKERS?=0A=
I would be pleased to sit on a committee or such. But somebody or organiza=
tion must take the lead.=0A=
=0A=
Troy Hunter=0A=
Box 374=0A=
Merritt BC V1K 1B8=0A=
hunter@uvic.ca
=0A=
=0A=
Use Windows Live Messenger to send messages to your buddies on their mobile=
phones Find out more on our PC to Mobile website
=0A=
--=20
Larry A. Ewashen
Doukhobor Discovery Centre
112 Heritage Way
Castlegar BC V1N 4M5
www.Doukhobor-Museum.org
250-365-5327
Cell 250-365-6622
=0A=
_________________________________________________________________
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<body class=3D'hmmessage'><div style=3D"text-align: left=3B">It really both=
ers me that those who control history "historians and curators" fail to tel=
l the whole story when it comes to the history of the Aboriginal peoples in=
Canada and how they were and continue to be treated. =3B Failure to ac=
curately tell the story of colonization is a disgrace. =3B When our cul=
tural institutions develop exhibits and portray the Aboriginal peoples with=
out a balanced story presented=2C then those institutions are guilty of "sa=
nitizing and 'correcting' Canadian history". =3B <br><br>The comment=2C=
"Perhaps if we continued to confront history in its actuality in our=0A=
books and museums=2C we would grow to an appreciation of our society=0A=
today=2C and perhaps=2C indeed we might learn something from it [condemned=
=0A=
to repeat etc. . . ]" sounds like =2Cif people see the truth for what it is=
in museums and books then they will become accustomed to seeing it=2C and =
accept it as modern practices. =3B Perhaps this line of thought goes ve=
ry well with those that deny a holocaust even existed=3B see no evil=2C spe=
ak no evil=2C do no evil.<br></div><br>It seems that the continued masquera=
de is that society=2C represented by institutions=2C cultural centres=2C mu=
seums=2C court houses=2C etc. make no mention of how the First Nations were=
cheated of everything=2C while going on as if it is business as usual.&nbs=
p=3B The reality is that it is not business as usual. =3B When ignoranc=
e is perpetuated=2C it only brings out anger and that is why a leading poli=
tical figure's statue was toppled and the man beheaded quite recently. =
=3B Do we want ignorance or do we want peace and righteousness? =3B I w=
ant the latter.<br><br>This is a discussion as a result of some students at=
the University of Victoria wanting to destroy the statue of the hanging ju=
dge Begbie=2C which is proudly and prominently displayed in the foyer of th=
e law school. =3B I made the suggestion to have it moved before knowing=
that First Nation Elders performed a ceremony and restored balance to that=
space -- my guess is that it should be left alone. =3B It seems that t=
here are at least two other locations (court houses) where Begbie's statue =
is also displayed. =3B I have no information to believe that balance is=
achieved in those locations. =3B It has been said by at least one abor=
iginal law student that seeing Begbie=2C is like a Jewish person seeing Hit=
ler. =3B I think this discussion at the law school may have originally =
been prompted as a result of some recent newspaper articles that discussed =
how Aboriginal people are savages. =3B <br><br>It is no wonder that Abo=
riginal people are demanding repatriation of their stolen ancestors' human =
remains and their stolen and misappropriated cultural objects=2C to control=
the land and archaeological sites=2C and to bring their culture back. =
=3B It is no wonder that Aboriginal people want their own cultural institut=
ions to be able to tell their stories to the public so that history is not =
repeated. =3B We are all human beings and we just want the honour and r=
ecognition of that. =3B To be labelled a savage=2C or to be portrayed a=
s life were prior to contact is problematic. =3B The first contact sett=
ler people often were greedy men looking for riches and wealth without rega=
rd for anybody else. =3B They took Aboriginal women for wives and later=
abandoned them and their children=2C leaving a whole legacy of Metis peopl=
es=3B there are court cases that chronicle this. =3B Christoper Columbu=
s was a slave trading tyrant=2C why do the history books not mention this?&=
nbsp=3B Why was Captain Cook killed by Aboriginal people? =3B Why did t=
he legal system in the 1850s protect the gold miners instead of call for ju=
stice when a Thompson Indian was hung for stealing a loaf of bread? =3B=
Why don't we create exhibits that educate the public=2C why it is that Abo=
riginal people in Canada continue to remain in poverty=3B why drugs=2C alco=
hol=2C sexual abuse and suicide are so common on Indian Reserves=3B why the=
Indian Act was created and the problems/benefits it has created=3B why Abo=
riginal people make up the highest disproportional incarcerated demographic=
in prisons=3B why is there a New Relationship in BC=2C and moreover=2C why=
is it that Aboriginal people have a deep spiritual connection with the lan=
d and environment that was given to them by the Creator.<br><br>To me=2C a =
focus on Aboriginal peoples with special emphasis on indigenous legal tradi=
tions is very important. =3B The law is evolutionary in nature and is n=
ow recognizing aboriginal law. =3B Institutions that portray the histor=
y and the legal system should also portray Indigenous legal traditions as t=
hey are just as constitutionally valid as that of mainstream society. =
=3B This goes back to a sacred treaty depicted in the two-row wampum signif=
ying two canoes=2C one for Aboriginal peoples and one for non-Aboriginal pe=
oples. <br><br>If cultural institutions cannot and will not accurately and =
respectfully do justice for the history of Aboriginal peoples=2C then those=
institutions should make immediate deaccession plans to give back what doe=
s not belong to them. =3B Also=2C the justice system has failed Aborigi=
nal people=2C perhaps=2C Aboriginal people should have more support and wei=
ght given to their own legal systems. =3B <br><br>I hold my hands up in=
the West Coast tradition of saying thank you to Sharon Syrette for acknowl=
edging that which I speak about.<br><br><p style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 25=
5)=3B"><span class=3D"EC_boxFontH1">BC150 Project Discovers Personal Storie=
s</span></p>=0A=
<p style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 255)=3B">Sharon Syrette knows that the his=
tory of the early days of British=0A=
Columbia is not limited to the likes of James Douglas and Matthew=0A=
Begbie. Thousands of Aboriginal people and newcomers have shaped the=0A=
province into what it is today. </p>=0A=
<p style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 255)=3B">"It's important to remember stori=
es of our leaders=2C but we should acknowledge everyday people as well=2C" =
she said.</p>=0A=
<span style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 255)=3B">Syrette is one of the founding=
members of Ama Liisaos Heritage Trust=0A=
Society=2C based in Mission=2C which received a BC150 Mosaic Grant for its=
=0A=
project </span><i style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 255)=3B">When the Others Ca=
me</i><span style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 255)=3B">.</span><br style=3D"col=
or: rgb(0=2C 0=2C 255)=3B"><br>I do not masquerade behind an anonymous post=
ing=2C<br>The Enlightened=2C Troy Hunter<br><hr id=3D"EC_stopSpelling">To: =
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca<br>Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] What to Do with the Begbi=
e Statue at UVIC Law<br>From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca<br>Date: Fri=
=2C 31 Oct 2008 11:11:48 -0700<br><br><div>As a historian and curator=2C it=
really bothers me to see the continual progression of the sanitizing and c=
orrecting of Canadian history by the new generation enlightened.</div>=0A=
<div>Perhaps if we continued to confront history in its actuality in our bo=
oks and museums=2C we would grow to an appreciation of our society today=2C=
and perhaps=2C indeed we might learn something from it [condemned to repea=
t etc. . . ]</div>=0A=
=0A=
<div>I don't think we are doing our future generations any favours by this =
continued masquerade [something to think about on Halloween].<br><br></div>=
=0A=
<div class=3D"EC_gmail_quote">2008/10/30 <span dir=3D"ltr"><=3B<a href=3D=
"mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca</a>&=
gt=3B</span><br>=0A=
<blockquote class=3D"EC_gmail_quote" style=3D"border-left: 1px solid rgb(20=
4=2C 204=2C 204)=3B padding-left: 1ex=3B">=0A=
<div>Troy Hunter wrote:<br> =3B<br>=0A=
<div>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
I think it is nice idea to get rid of the statue but I do admire the fine a=
rtistic details of it that show what he looked like way back when he was a =
riding judge for BC.  =3BI guess=2C I am a bit of a history buff=2C my =
undergrad is in cultural resource management.  =3BMy recommendation wou=
ld be to put it into some facility where the true story is told about what =
he did in regards to hanging people.  =3BI am sure that he was doing wh=
at a judge at that time and in his position would do.  =3BIt really isn=
't (I don't think) about Begbie's personal beliefs=2C it was probably more =
to do with his job.  =3BWhich then points the finger of blame directly =
at the Province of British Columbia.  =3BConsidering that they (BC) cov=
ered over the native images at the Legislature building=2C that there is a =
New Relationship and post residential school apology=2C maybe Begbie's ster=
n statuette should be replaced.</span><BR>=0A=
</div>=0A=
<div>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
 =3B</span><BR></div>=0A=
<div>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
The Maritime Museum of BC is downtown Victoria and in the upstairs is the o=
riginal courtroom where Begbie presided.  =3BI think that the statue wo=
uld probably best be displayed in that space.  =3BPerhaps=2C with some =
help from the Cultural Resource Management Program and the law school=2C a =
proper exhibit could be developed.</span><BR>=0A=
</div>=0A=
<div>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
 =3B</span><BR></div>=0A=
<div>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
As for what to do with the space left behind at the former Begbie Building=
=2C (law school)=2C maybe something that is more on the idea of transformat=
ion=2C of change=2C of the future.  =3BI think that the time has passed=
to stop putting historical murdering judges on a pedestal and to put somet=
hing with a little more deference to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada=2C so=
mething that would represent indigenous law.  =3BWhat that would like=
=2C I really don't know but maybe that would the basis for a new call for a=
rtwork.</span><BR>=0A=
=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
</span> =3B<BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<strong><font color=3D"#000000">ANY TAKERS?</font></strong></span><BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"">I would be pleased to sit on a committee =
or such. =3B But somebody or organization must take the lead.</font></s=
pan><BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<font color=3D"#000000"></font></span> =3B<BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<font color=3D"#000000">Troy Hunter</font></span><BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<font color=3D"#000000">Box 374</font></span><BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"">Merritt BC V1K 1B8</font></span><BR>=0A=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt=3B color: purple=3B font-family: Tahoma=3B">=
<font color=3D"#000000"><a href=3D"mailto:hunter@uvic.ca">hunter@uvic.ca</a=
></font></span><BR></div><br>=0A=
<hr>=0A=
Use Windows Live Messenger to send messages to your buddies on their mobile=
phones <a href=3D"http://www.pc2mobile.ca/" target=3D"_blank">Find out mor=
e on our PC to Mobile website</a></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear=3D"=
all">=0A=
<br>-- <br>Larry A. Ewashen<br>Doukhobor Discovery Centre<br>112 Heritage W=
ay<br>Castlegar BC V1N 4M5<br><a href=3D"http://www.Doukhobor-Museum.org" t=
arget=3D"_blank">www.Doukhobor-Museum.org</a><br>250-365-5327<br>Cell 250-3=
65-6622<br>=0A=
<br /><hr />Use Windows Live Messenger to send messages to your buddies on =
their mobile phones <a href=3D'http://www.pc2mobile.ca' target=3D'_new'>Fin=
d out more on our PC to Mobile website</a></body>
</html>=
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