I'd like to propose that the school board and the community of Prince George consider renaming Kelly Road Secondary School to Grace Dove Secondary.
I have several reasons for this suggestion that might give light and an alternative in the present controversy and debate.
Grace Dove is a young, female Indigenous person who attended and graduated from Kelly Road Secondary - a school for which she gives great praise. Early on her dedicated drama, teachers recognized her talent and inspired her to set high goals for herself - goals which she achieved by hard work, persistence, and confidence in her talents. Is this not what we want for all of our students?
How many graduates in Prince George have achieved an international presence that reflects so positively on a city that is so often negatively criticized? As most people know, she starred in The Revenant alongside Leonardo De Caprio, who won an Oscar for his performance. This alone is a large testament to her credibility and visibility as an artist.
And, as we know, she has become a wonderful spokesperson for our community. She got her start in Prince George and against the odds - a young native female competing with big-name actors in Hollywood - got the role. Her name and demand is high on the celebrity list.
I can imagine that any student attending Grace Dove Secondary - white, native, or of any gender or race would be proud to know that it is possible, as Grace does, to dream and achieve an important presence and life in a larger world.
Some meanings:
grace: "simple elegance or refinement of movement"
dove: "as a person who advocated peaceful or conciliatory policies"
Or is it, otherwise, to be the name of a grizzly bear trail?
Barry McKinnon
Prince George
