Barbara’s Degree
Short Stay Page
Secure Psych Room
3
Founded 1969
Page
4
On the Wing Page
5
Page
6
$3.00+GST
OBSERVER Haida Gwaii
www.haidagwaiiobserver.com
Friday, June 28, 2019
Queen Charlotte name change will be a long process
Haida Grad
By Quinn Bender Haida Gwaii Observer
Slow. Really slow. Village of Queen Charlotte Mayor Kris Olsen says council will respectfully and diligently explore a request to change the municipality’s name to a Haida place name, but the process could take years. “We have to go slow,” says Olsen. “No decision has been made yet. The elders have brought forward the name and we still have to have a discussion with the Hereditary Chiefs.” Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (SHIP) elders and staff submitted a formal request to Queen Charlotte council on April 28 to begin the discussion with the hereditary chiefs of Xaayda Gwaay and the Council of the Haida Nation. Olsen notes that within the modern-day boundaries of Queen Charlotte, there are many ancient village sites, each with their own place names. Long before any decisions are made thorough discussions will need to take place with all stakeholders. Council discussed the matter at a committee of the whole meeting earlier this month. Olsen says he and council are happy to explore the request, as the restoration of place names is identified in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission as important steps to reconciliation. While the village explores the possibility, Olsen says there are other measures the village can take in the short term to promote the revitalization of the Haida language. This includes flying a CHN flag at the village offices alongside the flag of the Village of Queen Charlotte, and adding Haida interpretations to the English street signage. Staff will begin looking at the cost involved and bring the conversation to SHIP elders. Olsen says he doesn’t believe the municipality should cover those costs. Olsen says a conversation will also begin with non-Haida residents of the municipality right away. “It’s pretty exciting in some ways. We can have an open conversation about this in our community, and be able to have it in a way that doesn’t separate us and pull us apart. Too often outside forces have worked against us. So the idea here is to not separate our community but bring it together with understanding. “This is 2019, it’s the year of Indigenous languages here in Canada. The more Haida that’s spoken, and the more available it is, that’s all good.”
Haida Gwaii Observer
Archie Stocker Sr. / Haida Gwaii Observer
The annual ‘Haida Grad’ ceremony was held in the Old Massett community hall with students, who graduated from different institutions as well as the local schools. They were honoured by receiving Haida blankets and regalia from their families who also set up tables for and feasted invited guests.
Support workers strike deal with school district By Alex Kurial Haida Gwaii Observer
“I think our members will be happy with the agreement.” - Ken Evans
After a lengthy bargaining session, Haida Gwaii’s K-12 support workers reached a deal with School District 50 on June 13. The support workers are represented by CUPE Local 2020, and represent a number of different roles including education assistants, library clerks, bus drivers, maintenance workers, resource workers, and more. One of the main sticking points between the union and the district was The two sides were able to find comthe use of funds allotted under the mon ground on the issue however, and provincial framework agreement for after nearly two months of negotiathe purpose of local bargaining issues. tions that began on April 22, settled
Prince Rupert’s
on a deal that will last until June 30, 2022. Local 2020 President Ken Evans was pleased with the outcome. “Bargaining was good with lots of discussion, and we came to a good place for all parties. I think our members will be happy with the agreement,” Evans said in a press release. “I’d like to thank the bargaining committee and our National Representative for coming together to work through this as a team.” The agreement is currently being ratified, a process which is expected to be completed before the end of June. Upon ratification, more details regarding the deal will be made available.
Excellence in Service and Accommodation
Call 1-800-663-8150