Tensions are rising over a request by area First Nations to have the province change some local place names to Indigenous terms, including Discovery Passage and the Tyee Spit.
A strongly-worded letter by 12 hereditary chiefs from Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai First Nations was sent this week to the mayor and council. They say they were disappointed, frustrated and appalled by council’s response.
“To say that reconciliation is moving too fast and that you struggle to pronounce the names of the lands on which you reside is spitting on the Indigenous people as well as any hopes of working towards reconciliation with the Indigenous people,” the letter reads. “The names of these places are our hereditary right and should be labelled as such and not be considered a move to promote tourism, but a motion to restore and build on a relationship with the Indigenous people.”
One of the hereditary chiefs, Shawn Decaire, posted the letter to his public Facebook page. We have also shared it below.
City council sent its own letter to the provincial names office last month, requesting the province hold public information sessions in Campbell River about the proposal, so residents and the surrounding communities can provide input.
“We believe these sessions would provide valuable insight into the cultural significance of the name changes, allow for meaningful community engagement, and ensure transparency throughout the process,” reads the letter, signed by Mayor Kermit Dahl.
He adds that the city is committed to supporting a public engagement process, and “looks forward to collaborating with the province to ensure a respectful and inclusive dialogue.”
He also asked the province to consider the financial implications of implementing any name changes.
During a presentation to council on October 24, Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai elected chiefs Chris Roberts and Ronnie Chickite urged council to support the name changes as “a small step in the right direction” towards reconciliation.
Roberts suggested council should either support the request or say nothing, and was against opening the discussion up to the public.
“Our request would be to reply to the province simply with a no comment, and follow the previous discussion you had, because it would do a disservice to invite more consultative processes on this matter,” he said.
On October 25, Campbell River representatives met with representatives from both First Nations in closed-door council to council meetings.
There are eight place names under consideration for change by the province, Vista Radio detailed them in a previous story. The three names within Campbell River city limits considered for change are:
- Change Discovery Passage to Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ (pronounced Lee-gwilth-daxw) Passage
- Change Quinsam River to Kʷənsəm (pronounced Quinsam) River
- Change Tyee Spit to ʔuxstalis (pronounced Oox-sta-lease)
The city has until the end of the month to provide its formal position in feedback to the province.
