News & Updates
Since our grassroots group was formed (June 2021), a lot has happened!
With this timeline, we highlight several achievements and collaborations over the last couple of years.
May 4, 2023:
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Hundreds of people, wearing orange and place names shirts, stood outside City Hall in support of the name change, and in response to racist anti-name change rhetoric that had been circulating on social media
April 20, 2023:
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MP Rachel Blaney announced that she has requested changing the electoral riding name to North Island-qathet
March 3, 2023:
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A public ceremony was held to honour and celebrate the new name qʷaqʷθam for the Patricia Theater's auditorium. It means 'telling a story'
January 23, 2023:
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Powell River Board of Education begins process to change its name
October 2022:
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The Name Matters surveys candidates in municipal election about their stance on changing the City's name
September 20, 2022:
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VIU regional campus is given a new name: tiwšɛmawtxʷ, which means House of Learning.
August 9, 2022:
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qathet Division of Family Practice adopts new name, through membership engagement and vote
July 25, 2022:
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Regional hospital receives new name: qathet General Hospital
July 16, 2022:
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11 recommendations released by the Joint Working Group in a report to the three local governments
April 6, 2022:
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Joint Working Group change plans for public engagement sessions, to increase opportunities for learning
March 31, 2022:
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Members of the qathet Museum and Archives vote in favour of new name
March 9, 2022:
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Possible name change process is launched, including community survey
November 2021:
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The Powell River Peak Newspaper changes its name to Peak, voice of the qathet region
September 30, 2021:
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Special edition, first National Truth and Reconciliation Day; Peak, voice of the qathet region
September 24, 2021:
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KnowHistory Historical Services graciously provide an in-depth report The Legacy of Israel Wood Powell
August 2021:
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Powell River Historical Museum & Archives seeks name change
July (late), 2021:
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The online store opens on qa t'hah yeesht website to support fundraising initiatives
July (mid) 2021:
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Talks begin with Catalyst, a Paper Excellence Company, to rename division
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Many local businesses and prominent organizations express their interest in honouring the name change as a gesture of reconciliation
July 1, 2021:
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Special edition "Canada" Day contributions; Peak, voice of the qathet region
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qa t'hah yeesht website published
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Go Fund Me campaign published
July 31, 2023:
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TNM publishes "The Case for Changing Powell River's Name" with The Tyee.
September 25, 2023:
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SD47 officially changes name to qathet School District "A Sunshine Coast School District’s Rename Is a Move Toward Reconciliation"
October 27, 2023:
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The Province of BC signs agreement with Tla'amin to protect tiskʷat site "tiskʷat Memorandum of Understanding sets out Cooperation and Collaboration with the Province of B.C. to Safeguard Future of Mill Site"
October 2023:
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qathet Division of Family Practice publishes an article about their name change in the BC Medical Journal. "Reflections on the importance of a name"
May 12, 2021:
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Three local governments discuss the origins of the City's name, and the prospect of change
July 2018:
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qathet Regional District formally adopts its new name
October 2017:
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Regional District concludes public engagement related to name change
June 2017:
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Tla'amin Elders gift the name qathet to the Regional District. It means 'working together'