I am a settler. I moved to Powell River over 30 years ago. I was raised in Colborne Village, a small cluster of homes on the north side of Simcoe, Ontario.
When I moved here, I had no knowledge of the atrocious connection between the two places.
I went to elementary and middle school in Waterford less than 15 kilometres from Six Nations and a few of my classmates were from families that moved off. Ernie and Joe ended up at high school in Waterford and I ended up in Simcoe 12 kilometres away.
We never learned their history in school. We were not taught that after the Six Nations fought for the British and were promised the massive tract of land along the Grand River that they only ended up with five per cent of what they were promised.
When we played hockey games in Cayuga it was frightening but no adults ever took the time to explain to us that people in the stands there had good reason to hate us.
Five per cent. That is all they got from the Haldimand Treaty.
Crime after crime is being slowly peeled away now.
I attended a few powwows but clearly did not learn anything. It is good now to follow the efforts of [Land Back Lane spokesperson] Skyler Williams and others as they fight to get their land back, even throwing their support behind the Wetʼsuwetʼen. It’s time.
Israel Powell was born in the village I grew up in. He is practically the equivalent of a war criminal. Why would we want to maintain any association with his name?
I know a few of the smart, young, elected members of Tla’amin Nation from meeting them at the business we used to own. It was a pleasure to make their acquaintance.
Their request to consider renaming the city has been done in the most polite way imaginable [“Process for possible renaming of City of Powell River proceeding,” October 20]. I do not think I could act as maturely as them if I had experienced the same wrongs.
My vote or voice is only one, but I say let us get this done because there is a whole bunch of reconciliation that needs doing.
To other settlers like me, I hope you speak up and show your support so we drown out the angry racist voices. It’s time.
Lorne Morrow
Powell River
