As the world watched, the famed Notre-Dame de Paris burned.
As Catholics and other Christians were preparing to celebrate Easter, theySA国际影视传媒檙e calling it a Holy Week miracle that the building escaped total destruction.
As of this writing, the damage was limited to the iconic spire, the roof and some areas below. The facade and the largest rose stained glass windows appear to have been saved.
Credit goes to the citySA国际影视传媒檚 400 firefighters, including those who formed a human chain led by the Paris Fire BrigadeSA国际影视传媒檚 chaplain to save priceless relics, including what is believed to be the Crown of Thorns placed on JesusSA国际影视传媒檚 head during the Crucifixion.
Within hours, major French corporations had committed hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild the building, and more than $1 billion has been committed to date. The fundraising has only begun.
The fire probably reminded some readers of the 2005 fire that destroyed IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 St. JudeSA国际影视传媒檚 Cathedral, itself an attraction for many visitors to the capital. It took 12 years of fundraising to pay off the $11 million cost of rebuilding.
There were no billionaires in sight: most of the money came from small donors, perhaps yourself included.
Before you open your wallet to help rebuild Notre-Dame SA国际影视传媒� which is owned by FranceSA国际影视传媒檚 government, by the way SA国际影视传媒� consider the argument presented by many Indigenous Canadians that your money could be better spent.
Take into account the Catholic ChurchSA国际影视传媒檚 persistent refusal to apologize to Indigenous people all over North and South America for the enslavement and genocide sanctioned by the Church since Pope Nicholas V sanctified the conquest of SA国际影视传媒榯he New WorldSA国际影视传媒� and the African coast. Under the authority of several papal directives collectively called the Doctrine of Discovery SA国际影视传媒� still in effect, by the way SA国际影视传媒� Indigenous people lost their lands and their lives.
The effects continue to be felt today by those experiencing the trauma of residential schools. To this day, no pope has apologized for Catholic involvement in this assimilation project.
The trauma of this and other assimilation efforts continues to be felt today by many Inuit, particularly through homelessness, food insecurity, and loss of identity.
The Notre-Dame fire reminds us of the connection between buildings and humanity. Here at home, Nunavut Housing Corporation president Terry Audla has stated that the territory would need $1.2 billion to build homes to fill the need faced across Nunavut. That money is not coming any time soon. To add insult to injury, every fire that happens in Nunavut gains little attention outside of the community, and only adds more people to the list of those in need.
If you had a billion dollars to donate, you would do the same as the French billionaires and keep that money close to home.
Notre-Dame is just a building and has the support of those types of folks. Take a moment and ask yourself: whoSA国际影视传媒檚 going to support your neighbours in need?
