The Lheidli T’enneh are welcoming a move by the Prince George School District to look at renaming a local high school.
The District 57 board approved a motion Tuesday night to engage in the process of naming the new secondary school in the Hart area of the city Shas ti, which means grizzly path in the Dakelh language.
“We always had history in that area and the Elders shared their stories about it and it turned out very well,” says Lheidli T’enneh Dayi (Chief) Clay Pountney in a news release. “Now that it’s done, we have to work together to make all of this happen. Our Elders and community believe this will reflect a part of our history and allow us and School District 57 to take another step forward on the road to reconciliation.”
The new school is being built close to the existing Kelly Road Secondary, but not everyone is pleased with the idea for a new name. Some students rallied outside of Kelly Road Secondary Wednesday to show their displeasure with the possible name chance, while others have started a petition.
District 57 Board Chair Tim Bennett released a statement late Wednesday afternoon acknowledging the “passion and school spirit” exhibited for Kelly Road and the Hart community.
Bennett says the district will seek community engagement as it looks at the possibility of a new name. He went on to say that while he understands the emotional connection many have to Kelly Road, offensive and disrespectful language will not be tolerated at schools or online.
