On PR name change

 

My response to Facebook post, just below:

A set of 11 recommendations, put out apparently by the Possible Name Change Joint Working Group, has been posted on Facebook.

If these recommendations are indeed the expression of the above named Working Group, then, aside from the vagueness and ambiguity of some of the individual recommendation, it appears that the Working Group is not being altogether impartial in the matter of a possible name change. And impartial it should be.

It is easy, for example, to agree with the basic premise of R1, but the insertion of “reconciliation” at the end of the statement strongly suggests a bias in favour of the proponents of a name change.

The targeting of “under-reached demographics” in R2 is unclear in its meaning, though the wording “under-reached” presumably refers to the proponents of the name change.  (NB, if under-reached refers to the indigenous residents of Powell River, and if I were an indigenous resident, I would not be very happy at being labeled “under-reached,” at least not in today’s Powell River.)

R3 makes no sense. (Is this really a situation that invites violence?)

R4 is a clear position of intent favouring name change. So is R6. So is R7. So is R8. So is R9. So is R10.

As for R11, the statement that a referendum is not the appropriate tool to utilize right now is a fair statement.  After a suitable period of clarification, however, a referendum (or public opinion poll) is the only reasonable way to resolve this dispute over a name change. There are those who feel that a referendum (or public opinion poll) leads to the “tyranny of the majority.”  Even so, the rule of the majority has to be a lot better than the “tyranny of the minority.”

A final word: the concept of reconciliation is prominent in this set of recommendations, yet it is never really defined. However we choose to define it, though, the concept has to involve “compromise.” Now, it is my understanding that those who call for name changes have already won two significant battles: both the Powell River District and the local hospital are now given indigenous names. Shouldn't the Tlamin Nation, in a true gesture of reconciliation, simply come forward and allow the city of Powell River to retain its current name?

Found on Facebook

qathet friends: ACTION TODAY!!

Council will be likely be considering a motion about the recommendations (included at the bottom) from the Possible Name Change Joint Working Group on August 18. Let's help them feel confident in endorsing the 11 recommendations!!

Send an email to info@powellriver.ca MONDAY or TUESDAY with the following:

1. Dear Mayor and Council,

2. Your name and where you live (e.g. that you live in the City).

3. That you are writing to encourage Council to support all 11 of the recommendations of the Possible Name Change Joint Working Group.

Literally that's it at the minimum.

Optional:

3. Any affiliations (e.g. tax payer, business owner, how long you've lived in town, if you attended any of the name change events, any relevant community involvement).

4. Why you support the recommendations. 

Letters are (unfortunately, but truly) one of the most powerful ways for council to understand the will of the public. Write asap to be included in an upcoming meeting package.

***Recommendations from the Joint Working Group (also at powellriver.ca/pnc):***

1. That additional public education and community engagement activities be planned on issues of shared values, history, and reconciliation.

2. That engagement activities be targeted to under-reached demographics.

3. That future engagement on the name change be designed to maximize the safety of all participants.

4. That the City make reconciliation and relations with Tla’amin Nation a strategic priority.

5. That Tla’amin Nation develop a set of educational materials describing what they want their neighbours throughout the qathet region to know about them, and that the City include this information in training for City staff and leadership.

6. That the City, Tla’amin Nation, and qathet Regional District, through the community-to-community-to-community (C3) process, establish a Reconciliation Committee mandated and resourced to advance reconciliation throughout the City and Regional District.

7. That the City establish staff position(s) to support the implementation of recommendations in this report and maintain positive reciprocal relationships with the Tla’amin Nation and other Indigenous residents throughout qathet region.

8. That public information and engagement events for various ages, groups, and in a range of formats be undertaken to better understand racism and colonialism and promote action to achieve racial equity.

9. That ceremonial efforts be undertaken to reject all forms of racism and support healing and unification amongst all residents of qathet region.

10. That additional community engagement activities be planned on issues of shared values, history, and reconciliation as the basis for identifying options for a new name for the City.

11. That a referendum or assent voting process is one of many available tools to engage the public and gauge public opinion. It is not the appropriate tool to utilize right now. A possible assent voting process and topic should only be carefully considered after implementation of the recommendations of this report.