In a recent viewpoint [“Viewpoint: Truth and reconciliation requires more than a name change,” December 3], the first concern expressed is that it will be costly and I agree, it could be. Instead, I want you to think of the people who have suffered.
Imagine sir, your children, your language, your land(s) were taken away, all your extensive knowledge was ignored, your ancestry and your feelings were ignored, et cetera. Not only that, they were trying to take the whiteness out of you and your family and your education and teach you that you are a savage, a barbarian and inferior.
Then having initiated these draconian rules, they take your centuries-old name and rename it Powell River for one of the men who helped to create these rules.
Regarding the concern you have that Kathaumixw and PRISMA (Pacific Region International Summer Music Association) would be negatively affected, I suspect exactly the opposite will happen. Our reputation would be greatly advanced if we welcomed the change as heartily as we do for peoples from all over the world.
And yes, we are responsible to acknowledge the genocide and be humble and penitent, and learn compassion instead of just looking out for our own interests.
Susan Jersak,
Ontario Avenue
