Tla'amin Nation citizens, including hegus John Hackett, members of the public, and City of Powell River councillor George Doubt gathered on Monday, May 13, at Tla’amin Governance House on Klahanie Road to participate in a name-change opinion poll ballot shredding ceremony. The shredded ballots were meant to reject an opinion poll about the name-change, sent out by a group called Concerned Citizens of Powell River in February.
This unofficial poll was being sent out to Tla’amin members’ mailboxes on Tuesday, May 14, stated Hackett, in a media release. The poll is not mandated by any official government body and raises serious concerns about privacy and personal information, he added.
Hackett said the illegitimate and divisive poll is not welcome in Tla’amin.
“I’m sorry that our community members have to see this in their mailboxes and feel this is a targeted attack on reconciliation,” stated Hackett. “Tla’amin Nation’s position on opinion polls, official or unofficial, remains unchanged. How many ways do we have to say no?”
“We’ve watched the shocking conduct of the concerned citizens at city hall, which includes shouting at and belittling members of city council and the public. There is nothing genuine about this group or this exercise aimed to sow division among residents and distract from the real work of reconciliation and relationship building that our communities are engaged in.”
In a previous statement about the name change process, Hackett said there are already 10 recommendations that provide a clear and cooperative path forward, including striking a reconciliation committee and delegating staff to implement these vital and constructive steps to reconciliation. The shredded ballots will be used as liners in the Tla'amin’s new composting program.
“Our elders encourage us to always try and make good from a bad situation, so we plan to use the carbon matter from the ballots to enhance food security for our community,” stated Hackett.
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