This is a presentation done to the New Westminster School Board in regards to the re-naming of an elementary school, Richard McBride, that is in the midst of being replaced with a new facility. Our district has noticed that it is time to stop honouring the colonists of the past and recognize where are schools are actually located (though they left New Westminster Secondary with the same name).
I really do like our District’s strategic plan around school naming:
COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION AND DECOLONIZATION OF THE
DISTRICT’S PHYSICAL STRUCTURES
MEANINGFUL AND REFLECTIVE OF LOCAL HISTORIC EVENTS AND
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SCHOOL BUILDING AND THE LAND ON
WHICH IT IS LOCATED
PLACE BASED NAMES THAT HONOUR INDIGENOUS HISTORY AND ARE
REFLECTIVE OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE APPROPRIATE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
I also like how everything was done with consultation of The Qayqayt First Nation and Language Keepers.
In reflecting on how to authentically indigenize , I know that I want to keep in mind the District I work in beliefs and values and make sure my work is aligned with them.