Powell River divided over potential name change

A small city overlooking the Georgia Strait in B.C.'s Sunshine Coast has become divided over a debate to potentially change its name. 

Powell River, with a population of over 13,900 about 120 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, has been at the centre of a heated discussion between its city council, the Tla'amin Nation and several residents. 

In 2021, the Tla'amin Nation approached the City of Powell River to consider a name change — which MLA Nicholas Simons says has created a deep community divide.

"Some people say there's division created, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's a half and half division. A lot of young people recognize that part of reconciliation is reconciling the history that we have," Simons said on CBC's On The Island in a special live broadcast from the community. 

He says while recommendations from the community could influence the final decision, it ultimately falls on the province to make the call. 

Powell River is named after Israel Powell, who served as the superintendent of the Department of Indian Affairs for B.C. in 1872. 

According to information from the city's Joint Working Group, set up to discuss the name change with residents, Powell had a history aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples with Euro-Canadian society, including condemning potlatch practices, supporting the establishment of residential schools and encouraging more land assignment for Indigenous families. 

Verne Kinley, 81, is part of Concerned Citizens, a group against the proposed name change. 

"My daughter has died here, my brother died here and my wife and myself are going to both pass away here," Kinley said, adding he can't imagine calling Powell River anything other than that. 

He says the community's identity is associated with the name and changing it would endanger that identity.

Kinley adds the group is concerned by Israel Powell's negative history overlooking the "really good things" he did for First Nations.

For the Tla'amin Nation, Powell's history with residential schools has been a reminder of a traumatic time.

Powell who, as superintendent of Indian affairs in B.C. from 1872 to 1889, was involved in many racist policies involving residential schools. 

In an interview with CBC's On The Island, John Hackett, who holds the title of Hegus — the elected head of the legislature who oversees Tla'amin Nation governance — said the legacy of the name is hurtful to the community.