Editor:
The May 29 letter about the proposed name changes in Madeira Park (“Opposed to name change”) deserves comment, particularly in light of the current protests against racial inequality happening in our country and around the world. Given that we believe in equality and inclusion for all, the shíshálh Nation are neighbours and as such should be treated with love and respect. It is always respectful to be specific about the First Nation that we are referring to and to use the term that they use to self-identify. Referring to “guerrilla warfare by natives” and “appeasement” is counter to the call of reconciliation to which Canada and our province are committed.
The name changes which have been made and proposed on the Sunshine Coast are in specific response to the call for reconciliation with the shíshálh people coming from the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work and the growing awareness of the impact of colonization on this area. Furthermore, we believe true reconciliation includes educating ourselves as the dominant society to understand how we have and are suppressing others and to try to balance that reality today.
Recognizing that the shíshálh peoples have lived here for millennia and that colonization by the settler community has only occurred over the past 200 years, acknowledging the names of places with traditional shíshálh names brings a depth of culture and meaning which has, thus far, been hidden from all of us.
John and Nancy Denham, David and Stephanie Moul, Diane Marshall, Meg Stevens, Jill Halliwell, and Mike Starr (Members of St. Hilda’s Anglican Church’s Social Justice Umbrella)
