After spending the last 5 years in Prince George, I am absolutely not shocked about the reaction to the KRSS name change.
After working in many different places here as well as being here during the switch from Fort George Park to Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park, I know that the town is full of privileged settlers who do not understand the context of Indigenous history in Canada, let alone in Prince George. As a settler person myself, I absolutely embrace and appreciate when places are renamed to reflect the Indigenous history of that area. It not only teaches me something new but also reminds me to acknowledge the land I am so grateful to live, work, learn, and play on.
It is no secret that the Hart is full of hicks. In a way, I am thankful that the racists of Prince George have publicly identified themselves so that I can avoid associating with any of them. So, thank you for that.
It is a silver lining that I have taken away from this embarrassing situation. As for the quote above, I noticed many settler people struggling to understand equity vs equality. They are shouting for equality without realizing that the things that are “given” to Indigenous peoples are already readily available to settler folk. If you want to go through hundreds of years of oppression, have your children stolen, forced to lose your culture and language (god forbid we take away your plaid, 4x4s, and the name of your HIGH SCHOOL!!!!), and homes and land stolen from you to be forced to live on land that no one else wants, then have it. Because that is the equality you are searching for.
You already hold all of the power. Is it not time to acknowledge and recognize the people from this land that made your Canada possible?
Hope White
Prince George
