POISON STRONGER THAN LOVE
~POISON STRONGER THAN LOVE~
Written by Yukihiko Kano
translation arranged by Hiro Miyamatsu
In the past, I have introduced several books, and photographic collections and supervised films by Mr Hiro Miyamatsu, a senior member of the Happiness Realisation Party.
Through his books and supervised films, I became aware of the Grassy Narrows in Canada, which still bears the scars of mercury contamination.
In 1963, the Department of Indian Affairs forced 500 Ojibwa people to abandon their spacious settlement and move into cramped suburban-style housing complexes (Grassy Narrows).
Subsequently, mercury pollution in nearby rivers was discovered and the Ojibwa became dependent on government jobs and welfare. Eventually, alcoholism became widespread. Child neglect, juvenile delinquency, violent deaths, and suicides far exceeded the national average.
Some of the circumstances in this area are described in "What I Saw on the Indian Reservation - Six Years in Grassy Narrows, Canada - by Hiroshi Miyamatsu: 1983: Soshisha.
https://ameblo.jp/papadad/entry-12736783162.html
The issue is also raised in the short film Grassy Narrows -A People Between- 1979, supervised by Miyamatsu.
https://youtu.be/CVlW4uZQxXs?si=2S9gRxX2zhj8m6wP
While researching Grassy Narrows on the internet, a book with a shocking title caught my eye.
'Poison Stronger Than Love: The Destruction of the Ojibwa Community'. 1985
In the introduction to the book, a resident's voice states.
'I can't even explain myself. The only thing I know is that alcohol is a force stronger than love for our children. It is a poison, and we are broken people. We suffer enough in our hearts and that's why we can understand each other" - Resident of Grassy Narrows
This is the voice of a resident whose alcoholism is widespread.
They say that it is a stronger poison (alcohol) than the love for their children.
Indeed, in one of the short films, there was an interview with a woman who had overcome alcoholism.
Reviews of the book showed that it was very highly rated and was a very popular book at the time.
One reviewer wrote.
'An important contribution to the field of anthropology. The story will tear readers to shreds with its ethnographic narrative. The photographs accompanying the text are chilling and illustrate the intergenerational trauma that has resulted from the upheaval of the ancestral lands and the disconnection from the culture. It is a sad story, but it is important to understand that this story is happening in many places across the globe."
The accompanying photo is called chilling.
To my surprise, the photo was taken by Hiro Miyamatsu.
I wanted to read it at any cost. I ordered it at the beginning of last December and finally received it yesterday, 10 January. It took more than a month. I have never felt so far away from the USA and Japan as I did this time.
When I opened the page, it said "Photographs by Hiro Miyamatsu". I'm kind of happy.
The author is Canadian anthropologist Anastasia M. Shkilnyk (1945-2014).
The foreword is by Kai Theodor Erikson (1931-), a leading American sociologist, and professor at Yale University.
Many photographs by Miyamatsu are also included in the book.
Now, I want to read the book for six months. I'll write a review in the summer! (LOL)
*Photo female, Anastasia M. Shkilnyk.
The man is Kai T. Erikson.
I would like to add that I received the following personal letter from Mr. Miyamatsu regarding this book.
This book was written by Anastasia M. Shkllnyk, who came to the Reservation while I was there and later published in book form a dissertation she wrote for her PhD at MIT. It took about two years to write. During that time, Kai T. Erikson (then a professor at Yale University) came to the reservation to do research.
When Ms.Shklnyk was on the reservation, I had the pleasure of introducing her to the villagers and discussing the content of her dissertation with her while she was there. At that time, it was really rare for a white woman to come to the reservation alone, so I was able to help her in some way.
I can only say "nostalgia" now that I was able to help in any way I could.
※Mr. Hiro Miyamatsu at present
