Community Identity and the Possible City Name Change
The possibility of changing Powell River’s name has become a deeply divisive issue in our community. There are strong and personal views on both sides, and those views deserve to be treated with respect. Any potential new name would be open for discussion. It should not be presented as though a replacement has already been chosen.
For some, the name Powell River is directly connected to Israel Powell and serves as a reminder of the harms associated with his role in our history. Changing the name would represent an important step toward reconciliation and an opportunity to choose a name that better reflects the community’s future.
For others, Powell River has a completely different meaning. It’s the name of the community where they were born, raised their families, built their businesses and made their lives. For families who have lived here for generations, the name means home. Their connection isn’t to the person the community was named after, but to the memories, relationships and history they have created here.
We should also avoid assuming that either community speaks with one voice. No individual should be expected to hold a particular position based on where they live or their cultural background.
This discussion should never become a choice between respecting Tla’amin history and respecting the personal connection residents have to Powell River. Both can be acknowledged. Listening to one perspective doesn’t require dismissing the other.
Before any final decision is made, residents should receive clear and complete information. That should include the history behind the current name, the reasons for considering a change, possible replacement names and their meanings, and the expected financial costs. Residents should also understand which signs and documents would need to be replaced, how local businesses and households could be affected, and how a transition would be carried out.
A decision of this significance will shape our community’s identity for generations. I don’t believe council alone should make it. Council should help create a respectful process, ensure residents have accurate information and provide opportunities for people to speak and be heard. Tla’amin Nation must be meaningfully involved throughout that process.
Ultimately, I believe the final decision should be made through a community-wide vote, with residents clearly understanding what they are being asked to decide. As a councillor, I would support the outcome chosen by voters and work to ensure it is handled respectfully.
My position on timing is equally clear. I do not believe a name change should be a priority for the coming council term. That does not diminish its importance to those seeking change, but our community faces pressing challenges that need immediate attention.
Public safety, substance abuse and crime, aging infrastructure, and rebuilding our economy following the mill’s closure should be our focus. We need to make our streets and public spaces safer, maintain and replace essential infrastructure, and encourage development that creates lasting jobs and strengthens our tax base.
I would focus this term on making practical progress in those areas and revisit the name change process in a future term. We can continue building a respectful relationship with Tla’amin Nation while concentrating our immediate efforts on improving daily life for the people who live here.
