Further to the Feb. 26 article "Kelly Road name change suggested", to say that I am saddened and disappointed in most of the comments floating around out there regarding this proposed change does not fully encompass my emotions.
I would like to say we have come a long way since 1820, 1920 and so on, but even though this is 2020, ignorance is still very much alive and well in Canada.
Why does the school's name have to stay as Kelly Road Secondary School? Because that's the way it's always been? What is the significance of the name Kelly Road Secondary School? Is it named after some man named Kelly?
Canadians pay lip service to truth and reconciliation, but very few actually want to do the work necessary to achieve real and lasting healing in this country.
And yet, here are Lheildi T'enneh elders Kenora Stewart and Clifford Quaw, Lheidli T'enneh Chief Clay Pountney and SD57 Board Vice-Chair Trent Derrick proposing a positive change in our community that demonstrates reconciliation playing out in real life.
It is the courage of people like this to propose and support these kinds of changes that benefit all Canadians because it moves us away from the status quo that has been Canada for the past 200-plus years and moves us into 2020 and beyond.
Why must things be as they are and have always been? I support the name change from something (as far as I know) arbitrary as Kelly Road Secondary School to Shas Ti Secondary School. The name is beautiful and recognizes a history that long predates Kelly Road, the Hart Highway, the City of Prince George and Canada.
This is what reconciliation looks like.
For those who have used social media to spread your negative and ignorant comments about this name change, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I know I am.
Miranda Seymour
Prince George
