What Canadians call the indigenous people of this land has been constantly
evolving over the decades. Savage, Indian, Native, Eskimo, Aboriginal, First
Nation, Metis, Inuit, and Indigenous. I'm certain there are plenty of others.
In the past, people like me, from an exotic mixed heritage, have been not-so
affectionately known as "half-breeds."
When I use the word today, it causes some folks to recoil.
Thankfully the names have become less derogatory and more pleasant. In
many respects, it reflects the overall movement toward reconciliation. June
21st used to be known as National Aboriginal Day, now it is National Indigenous
Peoples Day. What’s in a name? Does changing the name really matter?
Navigating relationships
My feelings have been evolving on this issue. There was a time not too
long ago that I felt there was little significance in name changes. I believed
that acknowledging ancient place names was the least the government could do.
However, over the last couple of years my mind has been opened to a broader
understanding.
The W̱SÁNEĆ people put a high level of importance on a name.
Personally, our names carry a tremendous amount of information, establishing
social and economic status and well-being. Place names are critically important
because they offer knowledge for resource development opportunities and
navigation advice for travellers.
Over the past year, I’ve been working toward reclaiming
the ancient name ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ for the place we commonly know as Mt. Newton and
John Dean Provincial Park on the Saanich Peninsula. The inspiration for this
work came from a class of grade three students at the W̱SÁNEĆ school.
It’s not lost on me the controversy that identifying or re-identifying
place names, statues and points of interest may cause for some going forward.
Frankly, a few of the email responses reminded me of the challenge we still
face. One of the few reviews of my constituency office on Google maps is a
sharp warning to my constituents that I'm putting too much focus on indigenous
issues.
Growing our understanding
This is why I believe we need to keep this an additive process. Renaming
John Dean to ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ would have created a lot of problems. Rather than
producing an opportunity to bring people of diverse cultures together, it would
have caused anger, frustration and division. Re-attaching ancient place names
is a wonderful way to encourage a much deeper understanding of the history of
our home.
As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, it’s important to
celebrate the reconciliatory steps forward in recent years. However, it is also
a time to sharpen the message.
Both the Government is Canada, and the Government of British Columbia,
have made substantial promises to indigenous people. Indeed, they are
effectively commitments to all Canadians and British Columbians.
In some respects, our governments have taken positive steps forward. The
ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ / John Dean renaming is one local
example.
Other examples are the provincial changes to the Environmental
Assessment Act and, federally, the splitting of Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada into two agencies - Indigenous-Crown Relations and Northern Affairs and
Indigenous Services.
Still work to do
Unfortunately, there continues to be substantial challenges that need
resolution.
Both the federal and provincial governments have been in
negotiations with local First Nations at various levels yet while some issues
are moving forward others are stalling. This needs to change! The First Nations
on the Saanich Peninsula are negotiating in good faith and have shown
tremendous patience. However, the patience is wearing thin! The cost of not
finding the political will in the bureaucratic rhetoric is eroding the trust in
the work invested by both sides. The last thing we need is a public display of
the frustration at the table.
Finally, both the federal and provincial governments have committed to
legislating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
(UNDRIP). This process is slow. In my opinion, it is way too slow.
I
remain hopeful that these initiatives will continue to proceed and we will see
these commitments fulfilled sooner than later. We must see
provincial legislation to this effect this coming fall session.
 |
| MLA Adam Olsen |
In thinking back to my first election to public office a decade ago, a
lot has changed in relationships with indigenous peoples. There is both a lot
of potential to keep these relationships moving forward together and also
potential for good will to collapse. Today, I celebrate where we have come from
and re-affirm my commitment to continue de-colonizing British Columbia so we
can see our full potential - together!
In the end, changing names is important work and helps give us a fuller
understanding of our place. However, it is only one part of building resilient,
trusting relationships across diverse cultures.
Adam Olsen
... is a Green Party Member of the Legislative Assembly
of British Columbia for Saanich North and the Islands. Born in Victoria, BC in
1976, Adam has lived, worked and played his entire life on the Saanich
Peninsula. He is a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily,
are raising their two children, Silas and Ella.
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