First Nations propose changing Stanley Park's name to Xwayxway

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

In Maple Ridge there is a large creek named after them, "Kanaka Creek." And most of the creek is now lined by "Kanaka Creek Park"

This is because there were Hawaiians working for the lumber industry at the mouth of Kanaka Creek during the same time in Maple Ridge. In fact, I believe Maple Ridge's history is just as old as Vancouver's. This is what differs most of Vancouver's suburbs from true suburbs (for me, true suburbs are communities that did not exist before the primary centre existed, such as most of those that surround Phoenix).

PS - Kanaka Creek and Kanaka Creek park are beautiful areas of metro-Vancouver, especially Cliff Falls. And there are few small pockets of old growth trees along the park, but you need to know a local to find them

yah - that's why I always say Vancouver's suburbs are not typical suburbs and why there are so many issues that affect Vancouver but don't get encountered in other cities and why what works for them will not work for Vancouver

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

In Maple Ridge there is a large creek named after them, "Kanaka Creek." And most of the creek is now lined by "Kanaka Creek Park"

This is because there were Hawaiians working for the lumber industry at the mouth of Kanaka Creek during the same time in Maple Ridge. In fact, I believe Maple Ridge's history is just as old as Vancouver's. This is what differs most of Vancouver's suburbs from true suburbs (for me, true suburbs are communities that did not exist before the primary centre existed, such as most of those that surround Phoenix).

PS - Kanaka Creek and Kanaka Creek park are beautiful areas of metro-Vancouver, especially Cliff Falls. And there are few small pockets of old growth trees along the park, but you need to know a local to find them

Also, I hope they never re-name Kanaka Creek or Park to a native name, hehe, for it is an interesting window into our Hawaiian connection. It is almost as if all the names of the geographic features found throughout BC adequately represent all the cultures that are now found in this great province! From the Natives, Spanish, British, Italians, Chinese, Hawaiians, etc....

They also worked at Fort Langley. You can find some info on them at Fort Langley National Historic Site. There was also quite a settlement of them on Saltspring.

[Waders]

Looks like the issue is not yet over.

Squamish won't stop fight for Stanley Park name change
By: ctvbc.ca
Date: Monday Jul. 5, 2010 9:04 PM PT

First Nations leaders have vowed to continue the fight to change the name of Vancouver's Stanley Park, even after the federal government nixed the idea.

The Squamish Nation has been pushing for the park's traditional name XwayXway to be part of the official title.

But on Monday, Heritage Minister James Moore wrote on his website that the name would not be altered.

"Our government does not support efforts to change the name of Stanley Park. A name change will not happen," Moore said.

Squamish Nation Chief Ian Campbell told CTV News that he was disappointed with that announcement.

"I'm disheartened that the federal government wouldn't speak to the Squamish Nation before making public statements," he said.

Campbell added that he would continue to push for XwayXway to become part of the park's official name in some way.

"It's always been XwayXway. It's been that way for millennia," he said.

"The Squamish Nation is very much open to any which way the name could be incorporated."

Source: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...shColumbiaHome

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Waders

Looks like the issue is not yet over.


Source: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...shColumbiaHome

What a hypocrite. How much "consultation" did they do before their attempt to force the name of their one small village on an area that encompasses much more? He probably sees it as a stepping stone to traditional native land uses in the Park. Like a casino.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by whatnext

What a hypocrite. How much "consultation" did they do before their attempt to force the name of their one small village on an area that encompasses much more? He probably sees it as a stepping stone to traditional native land uses in the Park. Like a casino.

I agree with you totally, but as Yogi Berra said ... "It ain't over 'till it's over." Nevertheless, even if some concessions are made (like having a Native Ecucation Centre bearing the name) I doubt much more will come of this.

If it does, however, I think people who are against the idea are forewarned ... and forearmed. If it goes to law, I hope that the Squamish Nation will have to provide written documentation ----dating back 2000 years --- as evidence to substantiate their case.

[vid]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

If it goes to law, I hope that the Squamish Nation will have to provide written documentation ----dating back 2000 years --- as evidence to substantiate their case.

You can't provide "written evidence" for a language that has only been written for a couple hundred years, and the Supreme Court (if a case makes it that far) has a history of arguing in favour of oral traditions.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by vid

You can't provide "written evidence" for a language that has only been written for a couple hundred years, and the Supreme Court (if a case makes it that far) has a history of arguing in favour of oral traditions.

How convenient.

The sad thing is if Ian Campbell had said "Lumberman's Arch was was the site of our village of Xwayxway and we'd like to see that commemorated or interpreted in a better fashion", I doubt anybody here would have objected. Now he's totally poisoned the well over the whole issue.

[Yume-sama]

As much as I am skeptical of Mr. Moonbeam I have to think that he is breathing a political sigh of relief that the Feds stepped in and squashed it. Making him seem open, and the Feds seem... evil At least to the Squamish Nation. And this whole thing will blow over and be forgotten by next week. That said, I think Mr. Campbell (the chief, who should probably consider reverting back to a First Nations traditional name) has revealed his motives with his latest statements, on how agressive he wished to push this. Not to mention his lies of how the park was "always" named this. I suppose history is easy to fudge when you didn't write any of it down.

[Hourglass]

How odd. I thought Campbell was a good, solid First Nations name. Ian as well...

I'm not sure that the fight will actually continue. The comments might indicate a need to 'save face.'

However, if they continue to push for a name change, perhaps the First Nations development on Burrard should then be forced to follow Vancouver by-laws. Or perhaps the fishing laws that allow the First Nations to fish for salmon for their own use and not for commercial benefit should actually be enforced so that they don't sell the salmon they catch to the general public...

[mr.x]

It has been known as Xwayxway for over a millennia? What?

Only the tiny area known as Lumberman's Arch was known as Xwayxway...and they could basically say anything considering how the aboriginal villages were always in constant battle back then.

[huenthar]

Originally Posted by Hourglass

How odd. I thought Campbell was a good, solid First Nations name. Ian as well...

Yeah, maybe he should be changing his own name to reflect native heritage before he goes about campaigning for name changes elsewhere. Right now, after all, it's his name that is the face of his nation in the media (not the name of any place). Put his money where his mouth is, so to speak...

What? What was that? You were born with the name Campbell? It's 'always' been 'your' name, so you don't want to change it? Well, ditto the Park, which was born with the name Stanley...

Yeah, I think this is political posturing, not any real concern for his native heritage here...

[mr.x]

Majority agrees Stanley Park should keep its name


By EMILY JACKSON, Vancouver Sun July 6, 2010 6:02 PM

Stanley Park will not be renamed Xwayxway Park in a decision that will please the majority British Columbians.

Seventy-three per cent of British Columbians and 61 per cent of Canadians agree with the decision to let Stanley Park keep its name, according to an Angus Reid public opinion poll. Last week, Squamish Nation Chief Ian Campbell suggested that the park be renamed Xwayxway Park after a first nations village that was once located there.

His proposal was officially turned down Monday in a joint statement by Stockwell Day, minister for the Pacific Gateway, and Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore. The statement said the park's name will remain the same because Stanley Park is "recognized around the world."

Forty-three per cent of those polled think Canada has gone too far in accommodating aboriginal peoples, according to the Angus Reid survey.

B.C. Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger said he was surprised at the backlash he met after he supported using both names for the park.

"I've been talking about sharing the recognition of the ancient name with the present name," he said. "I understand people don't want to change the name, but if signs were to go up around Stanley Park also using first nations letters and names, there would be no harm done."

Tourists are drawn to B.C.'s first nation's culture, Krueger added.

Campbell, of the Squamish Nation, said he isn't surprised that his suggestion was rejected, but he will continue to push the issue. "We're seeking recognition of our language," he said. "Unless we use it at every opportunity, our language will be lost."

Two major B.C. landmarks have recently been renamed to reflect the province's aboriginal roots. The Queen Charlotte Islands were officially renamed Haida Gwaii in June. And last year, the geographic region that includes the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound adopted the aboriginal name the Salish Sea.

The poll found that while 43 per cent supported these recent name changes, 44 per cent disagreed with the decisions.

emilyjackson@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Majority...#ixzz0sxOe0hnr

[Yume-sama]

I'm actually surprised it is only 73%. The 27% probably only know what the media has been reporting that it used to be the name.

If they knew that is indeed not actually true...

[mr.x]

^ the poll was taking across B.C. I'm sure the number against would be higher if it was only taken in the Vancouver region.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

I'm actually surprised it is only 73%...

Gregor Robertson's Mayor of Vancouver. 'Nuff said.

[huenthar]

44% were against Haida Gwaii and the Salish Sea? That's kinda sad, because in the first case, no one cares about the name "Queen Charlotte Islands" (and Haida Gwaii is a much better name anyways); and in the second case, absolutely nothing changes... we simply have a new name to use in specific contexts (such as talking about the environment/ecology etc.)

[Metro-One]

Well some people do care, because some people may; have closer connections to these areas than you personally do. I am not against re-naming the Queen Charlottes, simply because relatively little has changed there since the arrival of Europeans and I believe half of the Island's small population is still Native.

And like wise, your argument that "absolutely nothing changes... we simply have a new name to use in specific contexts" can also be used against changing a place's name, since if a name does mean / change nothing, then why bother changing it? It is almost as if names do mean something to people, both Native and Non-Native.

(In all honesty, I believe that anyone who is born here is native to here, such as myself, I have no other home, this is the land I grew up in, this is the forest / wildlife I have known, studied and enjoyed, so don't tell me I have a lesser right / connection to it than anyone else. My family has been here since pre 1900, so I have no connections at all to the old world. The Natives as well originated from the Old World, and we all came from Africa, so really we are simply having a big family reunion in Vancouver )

[geoff's two cents]

Metro-One, you're a master of diplomacy. I could quibble (see my above posts) but it would do more harm than good. Thanks for posting.

[mr.x]

If only today's First Nations could think like this:



Oh Canada, how can I celebrate with you this Centenary, this hundred years? Shall I thank you for the reserves that are left to me of my beautiful forests? Fore the canned fish of my rivers? For the loss of my pride and authority, even among my own people? For the lack of my will to fight back? No! I must forget what's past and gone.

Oh, God in Heaven! Give me back the courage of the olden Chiefs. Let me wrestle with my surroundings. Let me again, as in the days of old, dominate my environment. Let me humbly accept this new culture and through it rise up and go on.

Oh, God! Like the Thunderbird of old I shall rise again out of the sea; I shall grab the instruments of the white man's success---his education, his skills, and with these new tools I shall build my race into the proudest segment of your society. Before I follow the great Chiefs who have gone before us, oh Canada, I shall see these things come to pass.

I shall see our young braves and our chiefs sitting in the houses of law and government, ruling and being ruled by the knowledge and freedom of our great land. So shall we shatter the barriers of our isolation. So shall the next hundred years be the greatest and proudest in the proud history of our tribes and nations."

- Chief Dan George (Empire Stadium on Canada Day, 1967)

[trofirhen]

Chief Dan George was a natural aristocrat, noble in spirit, and wise beyond his time.

The words quoted above are movingly eloquent, and point up a truly enlightened human being.

Equally moving were the words of Chief Seattle, when he welcomed the European-American pioneers to come and live with his people, in his native Pacific Northwest.

He nevertheless had the wisdom to know that his people's way of life could never fully integrate seamlessly with the white man's, and retained a belief system and philosophy particular to his own people, but no less gracious, or more gracious, than our own Chief Dan George.

By the way, is there a statue or memorial to him in Vancouver? If anyone merits one, it is Chief Dan George.