Native media watchdog group aims to educate

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Sparked into action by derogatory remarks expressed by rock music mogul Bruce Allen on a Vancouver radio station, a group called One Voice Has Power has vowed to keep diligent vigil on all forms media.

After Allen's Aug. 3 on-air rant, the group, spearheaded by Kat Norris, began a information blitz calling for community action by way of a demonstration in front of the offices of CFOX.

We've tried to shift the focus away from Bruce Allen," said Norris. "In fact, more than anything, we're thankful to him for providing the incentive to start looking at how to deal with the big picture."

Norris said the big picture goes beyond the anti-Native spin and negative stereotypes of Natives permeating mainstream media coverage of First Nations' issues. Norris said Natives experience invalidating behavior every day, while banking, shopping, even hailing a taxi.

"We've all experienced that at one point or another," said Norris, "and we need to educate the non-Native communities that we are here and deserve to be treated like everyone else."

While protesting the station on the basis that, by law, no station or network is to broadcast material that is racist, discriminatory or of a hateful nature, Norris mused that the demonstration was "putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound." After considerable brainstorming with other concerned individuals, including Pat Gambler, who initiated a complaint against CFOX through the CRTC, the idea of One Voice Has Power began to congeal.

The name of the group was chosen because it empowers the individual. It reminds us all that, even individually, we do have the power to affect change.

Norris was impressed that she has already received a number of calls from people wanting to get involved with the group. Norris is confident that the group might be the catalyst for some interesting changes.