More discussion and more time. That’s what Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors are asking for in response to a name change proposal for Madeira Park.
The shíshálh Nation has made a request through the province’s Geographical Names Office to replace Madeira Park with salalus as the community’s official name. It refers to a channel entrance, fishing sites and a village near Sechelt Band Land 20.
Directors voted unanimously at a July 23 board meeting to request that the province extend the deadline for comments to Dec. 31.
The deadline has already been extended to the end of August. Originally, comments were due in April.
Directors also voted to send a letter to the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Ministry of Forests to request a town hall meeting “in consultation with the SCRD,” and with shíshálh Nation, Pender Harbour and Area Residents Association, Pender Harbour and Egmont Chamber of Commerce, and Pender Harbour Rotary “to discuss the proposed place name change for Madeira Park.”
Included in the motion was another invite – this time to shíshálh Nation directly – for a “community to community” meeting about the name change.
Speaking about his motion, Pender Harbour/Egmont director Leonard Lee told directors, “I think the SCRD board of directors and shíshálh Nation may wish to take this opportunity to engage the public and provide historical context and associated information prior to concerned community organizations and individuals providing their comments.”
Lee also said he hopes there will be further renaming of “various and multiple areas” on the Sunshine Coast. “It’s important to preserve our heritage,” and the she shashishalem language, he said. “I believe the signs really do help with that.”
“I’m not thinking that the renaming of Madeira is the beginning or the end of this, I believe we’re on a journey to do more of it.”
Directors were supportive of the motion, including Sechelt Indian Government District director and shíshálh Nation Chief Warren Paull, who said he welcomed discussion and debate, which he described as “long overdue.”
Some community groups have already stated their opposition to the change, including Area A’s Advisory Planning Commission.
The province’s names office is also reviewing a request to change the name of Wilson Creek to the shíshálh name ts’ukw’um. Sechelt council voted earlier this month to hold off on submitting a formal response to that proposal pending public consultation. It also asked for an extension of the deadline
