 Coast Salish artist Susan Point's People Amongst the People in Stanley Park. Stephen Hui |
Once every so often an idea comes along that begs to be embraced with open-minded courage, even if initially it doesn’t seem feasible. People young and old, rich and poor, and of modest and mega means are given the chance to back the idea, which seems poised to set off a positive chain of events.
See also
Usually these ideas swim against the tide of mainstream public opinion. They may even instil fear in those afraid of change. But courageous folks bring them forward all the same, often with the greater good of humanity in mind.
One such moment of clear light shone through the day Squamish elder and carver Robert Yelton suggested that Stanley Park be known as Xwayxway. On June 30, Yelton was not blowing smoke (or smoking something funny) when he said this. At the opening of the Klahowya Village exhibit and the Spirit Catcher Train in Stanley Park, he let it be known that the name Xwayxway is a reference to a First Nations village that was located where present-day Lumberman’s Arch can be found today. Yelton’s mother was born there.
Chief Ian Campbell, who understands how imperiled First Nations language and culture is among his 3,700-person-strong Squamish Nation and beyond, took the proposal a step further and tried to get the change formalized. For a moment, this opened a small window of opportunity to give something meaningful back to the people who, since colonization, have lost so many of their cultural reference points.
It didn’t happen; the impulses of our good-defence-is-a-good-offence society kicked in, and media reports citing righteous and moral indignation began piling up.
Fear is contagious, unfortunately. Yelton and Campbell’s proposal was deserving of far more than the dismissive flicking of the nose it was given. Subsequent generations may not view this kindly.
On July 5, the Stephen Harper government sent out Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore and Treasury Board President Stockwell Day to deliver the news that the Stanley Park’s name will not be changed. Nor will the park get a second official name, as some had suggested.
Hopefully, the next time the door opens to an opportunity like this we won’t slam it shut again.
Comment (36)
Comments
I think we should just use the second name all by ourselves.
http://politicsrespun.org/2010/07/an-informal-name-change-for-stanley-park/
Some have argued it would hurt our tourism because "Stanley Park" is so famous, but why would BC's tourism minister and Tourism Vancouver endorse the idea then? "There is nothing to lose by doing this and much to be gained."
http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Tourism+Vancouver+likes+Xwayxway+name...
stephen elliott-buckley
http://PoliticsReSpun.org
And then there's the case of Science World. Changing its name really took off!
Stop whimpering and get on with it !
You have it wrong, it was not an opportunity so much as a detrimental attack on the creation of Stanley Park. Stanley Park was protected from development, and put under the control by Lord Stanley of Preston. It was open for anyone of any race, religion, or tradition. Choosing to rename a park based on the wishes of one ethnicity just spits in the face of equality, if you give it a second name in Native then you must give it a third name in Chinese, fourth in Hindu, etc.
An opportunity where everyone is represented equally is a shining beacon of hope, an opportunity to elevate a single minority is a shining beacon of resentment and hatred.
No, really? Its why majority rules in a democracy. Deal with it.
"Some have argued it would hurt our tourism because "Stanley Park" is so famous, but why would BC's tourism minister and Tourism Vancouver endorse the idea then?"
Its called political pandering and PC gone amok.
The other problem is, so what? What is the business case for changing it? How will it be better with a new name? So there's that as well.
"Prior to the mid 1960s there was no written system for the Squamish language since the language and culture of the Squamish people is grounded in an oral tradition. A prominent elder, Louis Miranda, felt strongly that the language was in peril and worked with linguists from several institutions to develop a written system. This system has since been adopted as the official written language of the Squamish Nation."
From the "Fun Facts" page of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre:
http://www.slcc.ca/groups/travel-trade/faqs-and-fun-facts
The unpronounceable road signs along Highway 99 are a ludicrous pandering to a pampered minority.
You are seriously deluded to think that renaming Stanley Park had anything to do with addressing the injustices and inequities against the First Nations, The First Nations have so many cultural problems (like sniffing gasoline, alcohol abuse and poor education) than seizing the name of one of North America's best know city parks. If they were smart about public relations, they would leave it alone and focus on more pressing First Nation issues.
Instead, they have antagonized the rest of Canada - not only white Canadians but all the others, and built up an image that the First Nations people are only another vested interest group. The enmity is so great that the rest of Canada will push back against any other First Nations proposals and call it yet another First Nations scam for more money.
"Haida Gwaii" is referred to more popularly than "The Queen Charlotte Islands".
GM Place got re-named last week. There are no sacred cow... even for the Stanley Cup-less Canucks, who seem to keep changing their uniforms every 7 years.
Remember that "Second Narrows Bridge" was re-named "Iron Workers Memorial Bridge".
"Deadman Island" in Stanley Park was originally known by its indigenous Squamish name of "skwtsa7s" before the official designation of "Deadman Island" by the Geographical Names Board of Canada in 1937.
Lyrics for O Canada have been altered more than a few times. Commissioned in 1880, translated to English in 1906, before Robert Weir wrote his own English version in 1908. Lyric changes then occured in 1914 and 1926, and the present version in 1980.
History revisionism will prevail as it always does... in step with the changing times. Some people will like the changes, others will not - as Matthew so predictably points out. But there is nothing wrong with adding aboriginal names to the present maps. Some will catch on, and some will not. The most important thing is that discussion is being made. The worst part is seeing all the racist comments.
If this was Hawaii - we would all be overflowing with ALOHA SPIRIT... and part of the same OHANA (family), and embracing Hawaiian history, language and culture. But we are Canadians and we do things in a distinct Canadian fashion.
How do we define Canada? As a country where immigrants have come from all over the world... to assert their racial and ethnic majority and colonial attitudes? Or is it.... OUR HOME AND NATIVE LAND?
www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
Beth
Except that during the NHL lockout, Gov. General Adrienne Clarkson suggested that it be given to the top female amateur team... which is what Lord Stanley's original intention for his little silver cup was . Oops... did Lord Stanley's intentions get "revised" by the NHL???
Matthew's point of a missed opportunity is probably premature... It takes time for new names to catch on. It takes education and culture shifts for Vancouverites to understand many of Vancouver's place names are originally of Squamish origin:
1) Jericho Beach is named after First Nations man Jericho Charlie... he was named Jericho because the local priest was picking names from the bible.
2) Kitsilano is named after Squamish chief August Jack Khahtsahlano... although it is more reccently also spelled "Khatsalano - google it and see how many ways the name is contemporarily being utilized.
3) Did you know that when the Canadian Navy declared the Stanley Park area as a naval reserve it was originally to use the tall trees as masts for their sailing vessels and as a strategic point in case of attack from the USA.
There were several First Nations villages and settlements in the "Stanley Park" area - but they were rounded up and moved off the land... not dissimilar to American businessmen barricading the Hawaiian Royal Family into Iolani Palace, then declaring Hawaii then to be a US territory, in 1893, overthrowing the monarchy.
www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
In this case taking something that works ("Stanley Park") and making it unworkable ("Xz7xh...?").
Hate to burst your little bubble guys, but we "British Columbians" live on unceded Native land.
If we want to fight against the so-called "cultural problems" (I'd argue they're societal problems in general) that many First Nations people have, we need to discuss things - not close the door in their faces.
Renaming Stanley park, or a portion of stanley park, or the land on which the park is.... would be something to make people proud.
Proud that they are getting the recognition they deserve.
Pride may also combat those "cultural problems" which makes many first nations people self-medicate or become race-blind, the people who have been hurt by our society.
I'd much rather have the park named after a GROUP OF PEOPLE who have historically lived in the park (but, during this time all of Vancouver was a "park") for centuries rather than ONE old, fuddy-duddy white dude who probably hasn't slept in the park one night...
"One such moment of clear light shone through the day Squamish elder and carver Robert Yelton suggested that Stanley Park be known as Xwayxway. On June 30, Yelton was not blowing smoke (or smoking something funny) when he said this."
Although deprecation - may from time to time spice up an article - even a debate position - it doesn't here.
Imagine talking to regular people - in the midst of Campbell/HST hatin' and then asking them to change Stanley Park to X and O's -- whether it is right or fair -- imagine what regular people think.
Sadly, the average person doesn't care --. Often people from low income--get more angry at aboriginal claims--as a single mother if she believes this is important and listen to the feedback -- it will freeze you from ever making assumptions on who supports these issues---ever again.
Constipated reporters and journalists will ask (when the timing suits them) -- shouldn't leaders -- lead on issues(and not pay attention to public opinion)--no they shouldn't - because eventually the slope gets slippery and you get Gordon Campbell -- leading as he pleases--------
The aboriginal land claim issue -- has been the Lexus in perpetuity for lawyers and government bureaucracies -- courts -- not the rest of us.
Ottawa has reduced BC to a sub province -- based on this issue alone--let alone every other minority group -- that lies on its back.
If you are a single mother---with $40 to last a week for groceries do you give a shit? If you are a tax payer -- do you accept to 1 billion in wasted legal fees -- for aboriginal claims that return NOTHING.
Sorry - I worry about aboriginal moms and their kids - but the rest of this is not interesting. Having said that - a totem poll featuring Gordon Campbell with an arrow going through his head -- might lighten me up a little.
I can assure you I wasn't constipated (or smoking something funny) when I wrote the article.
Matt Burrows
You introduced the aboriginal chief in your article -- where YOU explained the 'chief' wasn't smoking pot -- the inference being that he wasn't kidding - he was serious -- (that others might not have thought he is -- serious).
To be fair -- I wasn't constipated or smoking something funny - when I blogged on this stream--.
As for the government listening to the will of the people, don't hold your breath, BC Liberals have NEVER been know to listen to sanity nor the public opinion.
Racist comments? Like what? Using expressions like "old, fuddy-duddy white dude".
To know a man, observe how he wins his object, rather than how he loses it; for when we fail our pride supports us; when we succeed, it betrays us.
Charles Caleb Colton (1780 - 1832)
http://www.slcc.ca/groups/travel-trade/faqs-and-fun-facts
It may be of assistance to you if you try and save yours.
Clearly, blaming Campbell for this. It suggests to me -- this is one of the rationales residual BC Liberal supporters and NDP haters -- are using to explain why they NOW dislike Campbell so much---and are waiting--to see if Campbell --GOES - before ALSO 'blaming' the rest of the party--for its perceived part in these 'passionate opinions' unsupportive to aboriginal treaties--particularly considering how potential BC Liberal leadership candidate Mike de Jong is moving into liberal ground -- making merry with lawyer-AG and changes to family law - which should in theory - benefit more women than men (but not always)--------and will make it extremely difficult to connect with the anti-treaty BC Liberals---------federal Conservative types---from areas like Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack -- right where Mike de Jong lives-------the heart of his constituency.
It will be interesting to see how this culture of BC Liberal supporters responds to events in the coming weeks.
Thus we should shout "INTIFADA! INTIFADA!" at the next land claim xD