The Editor:
Re: Letter: Indigenous man 'laughs' at Coquitlam street name dislike (Aug. 7, 2024)
I greatly respect the opinion of my Indigenous neighbour Clint Joe (no relation); however, I could not disagree with his thoughts any more than I do.
Mr. Joe asked if “Coun. [Craig] Hodge and Coun. [Trish] Mandewo could find better uses for their time.”
Well, is there anything more worthwhile than reconciliation? I think not.
I commend Couns. Hodge and Mandewo for attempting to remove the offensive “Coronation” word — a word that those of us with generational trauma find more than a little upsetting — from our community’s streets.
I would only ask now that Coquitlam council seize the momentum on this issue and reconsider other place names that are highly offensive.
As an example, we plead with council to change the name of Mundy Park — named after British settler George Munday — to an appropriate and glorifying name in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (>Halkomelem) language.
We can only hope that council follows the wishes of the community.
- Mary Joe, Maple Ridge
