LETTER

Importance of local newspapers

 

The importance of local newspapers is often frowned upon by the conglomerates, the 'news-makers'.  I would not like to sound like, or plagiarize, President Trump, but would anyone know about Terry Fox if it were not for local newspapers?

In my case, our local newspaper, then the Aylmer Bulletin, carried an article titled  "Aylmer Sculptor Starts Art Movement” (December 17, 1981, page 7). The content was about an exhibition called 'Legacy of Vinland' at the National Library of Canada.

What was so special about this event? It was an exhibition of 43 works, with the focus on a 67-inch, large sculpture -- the First Multiple Sculpture in the world (later known as Multiple/Multilateral), titled 'Legacy of Vinland'.

I could document many positive comments, even superlatives, by many important visitors, but the fact is it introduced embedded historical figures, such as “The Indian Chief on a Horse”, proudly overlooking the valleys as a guardian and protector of his culture, to ensure its rightful place in the future. All this among other multiple representations -- and henceforth called the Multiple sculpture. That was 36 years ago!

Today, I have seen a miracle occur, when during a ceremony honouring leadership in Indigenous issues at Rideau Hall, Governor General David Johnston apologized for calling Indigenous Peoples “immigrants to Canada” (CBC News June 19, 2017).

The immigrants were represented on the sculpture in my figure, 'The Immigrant' – lost and lonely at first, but soon contributing to the stream of life in his new homeland. My contribution began with that sculpture, and all this was noted first in a local newspaper.

Rasto Hlavina
Pontiac