Changing the name of the school in the name of reconciliation is ridiculous. Reconciliation (I mean the way it is playing out) in and of itself, is a joke; a huge faux pas by the Canadian government that does nothing more than foster racism and create separation. A joke that Canadians will not find funny in the end, mark my word.
We are all Native Canadians, no one is more special than the other. Why take from the majority and give to the minority? Rather, make it equal for everyone like a parent would with two children. The way the government handles reconciliation is putting our culture on the backburner and we are allowing it. This is only the beginning of things to come.
Stories of grizzly bears? I think we all have equally important stories, no? And really? How many native kids actually went to Kelly Road over the years?
That demographic was comparatively small in relation to us less important (culturally) white kids. It’s the way the Canadian government approaches/defines the parameters around reconciliation that we need to address if we want to save the names of this and many other buildings/places in Canada. Canada has made reconciliation black and white - in the name of and, out of respect, change the name of the gym, some trails, what have you, add their name but don’t now rip away another history and culture without our permission or input. Same mistake, no?
When making these decisions for Canada or for Prince George, it is inclusion we should focus on moving toward reconciliation and resolution - adding, not subtracting. And so I am not in agreement with the new name. Had there been a school on that land, owned by a band prior to the name Kelly Road which had it’s name changed to Kelly Road in the past, I would say go for it, give them their name back. But there wasn’t and never has been a native school there, so where is the logic in this?
Kelly Little
Prince George
