Whether you come from Port Alberni on the West Coast as I do, or from Port-Cartier on the shores of the St. Lawrence, we all share the rare privilege of being citizens of one of the greatest countries in the world.

I'm a novelist from the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations of British Columbia, both small coastal reserves hugging the rugged shores of the west coast.

Attitude is attitude, whether you're a West Coast gangster or East Coast gangster, you know?

The West coast money and the East coast money, in an ever-increasing manner, is finding its way to Chicago.

To the west we have the Calexico port of entry, to the east Nogales. Both of these ports of entry have a large amount of trucks passing through. We hope with the opening of this port of entry, we will be able to siphon off the extra workload they already have right now.

I recommend that the Statue of Liberty be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast.