Zeballos Elementary Secondary School might be getting a new name.
During a June 24 council meeting, council deliberated on a proposal to rename the school to a name in the Nuu-Chah-nulth language. CAO Pete Nelson-Smith sent a letter to the council for direction after Cyndy Rodgers addressed the council on June 10 during a committee of the whole meeting.
Rodgers presented them with a formal letter of support to adopt a new name from the Nuu-chah-nulth language to honour the language, culture and presence of the Ehattesaht Chinehkint and other Nuu-chah-nulth people in the region.
In the letter, Nelson-Smith says the renaming of the school is an opportunity for the village to support reconciliation, promote cultural awareness, and strengthen relationships with Indigenous partners.
"A name rooted in the Nuu-chah-nulth language reflects the lived reality and stewardship of Indigenous peoples in this region since time immemorial. As the closest local government, the village has an opportunity to affirm our commitment to truth and reconciliation by supporting this culturally significant initiative and promoting healing," his letter says. "This symbolic action aligns with the principles of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and responds to the increasing call for Indigenous representation and respect in public institutions."
The letter goes on to say that Rodger's letter expressed that there needs to be community support for School District 84 to consider the change.
Nelson-Smith recommended that the council direct staff to issue a letter of support endorsing the proposed name change and send it to the school district and Rodgers.
"I would kind of like to know what name they're looking at before we totally buy in totally. That's just my two cents, but it's kind of hard to make support when we don't know what it's actually going to be," said Coun. Justin Janisse.
Mayor Julie Colborne said she felt it was a premature step.
"I don't think she is coming to us with an applicable name change, you know what I mean? I think that the purpose of this is to see if there is appetite, so that when it does come in the end, that she's not requesting or she's not putting forward something, and then there's no buy-in from the community."
She called it a starting point.
Janisse said the current school's name was general and not that exciting.
"I would like to see a name that brings the three communities together. Now, I haven't thought of it yet, though, so I don't have anything to deliver, but I think that would be best for what Rodgers is actually looking for, to unite the three communities, and so I'm totally in support of it happening. But, I'd like to see the ideas out there first before we throw support at it."
Colborne said she didn't know how it would play out, saying she doesn't know if there will be a committee formed or if there will be surveys. She then asked Nelson-Smith if changing support to support-in-principle would do anything, with a caveat that the council is interested in learning more about the process of the name change and how the decision would be made. She also asked how they could proceed if they had any concerns about what the name could be.
Nelson-Smith suggested changing to support-in-principle pending the development of a name would be the way to go, while highlighting the support, but also showing a deeper investment in the prospective name.
The village drafted a letter in full support of the proposed renaming of the school. The letter says the village recognizes the importance of preserving language and culture.
"We believe that renaming the school in a way that authentically reflects the Ehattesaht Chinehkint and broader Nuu-chah-nulth culture will not only strengthen community pride but also promote education and awareness among all who live, learn, and work in our community," reads the letter. "The Village of Zeballos is proud to support this important initiative and stands alongside our Indigenous neighbours in the journey toward truth, reconciliation, and respect."
