I think the Tla’amin peoples’ request for a name to replace the current name of the city will receive a favourable response from the community, provided enough time is given to Powell Riverites to mull over it before putting it through a referendum [“Group wants referendum for possible renaming of Powell River,” March 16].
The position of the Indigenous community is pretty straightforward: the current name for them is evocative of past discriminatory practices, and it should therefore be replaced with a name free of negative associations. That’s clear and understandable.
That, though, is only one aspect of the story, albeit an important one.
Another aspect is this: quite a few generations of non-Indigenous people have also lived and worked in Powell River since its inception. It is doubtful that most of these people were ever aware that there was anything inappropriate about the name of the town.
For them the name meant a job, meant security, meant living in a place that also gave them much of the best that nature has to offer. In other words, for them the name did not conjure up discrimination, harassment, prejudice: it meant the very opposite. A name change ought to keep these people in mind, too, and as a former resident of Powell River, I sincerely hope it will.
This also is worth keeping in mind: if it is ultimately decided that the current name is too heavily encrusted with reminders of a colonial past, then let consideration be given to the choice of a name which highlights some of the positive aspects of Powell River’s natural surroundings, like Beartooth Landing, Loon Lake, et cetera, and which is completely free of negative connotations. The community as a whole may be (ought to be?) asked to make such name suggestions, a short list of which should then be put through a referendum for a final determination.
Ermes Culos
Ashcroft, BC
