Listen Live
Listen Live

Kelly Road Secondary Students rally against a possible name change

Students at Kelly Road Secondary School held a protest/student rally Wednesday during the lunch hour in relation to School District 57 voting to “engage in the process” of approving a name change to Shas Ti Secondary.

The new facility is scheduled to open in September.

The potential change received support on Tuesday from the SD 57 Board of Trustees after they received a request from Lheidli T’enneh elders.

Shas Ti means a grizzly path or trail, which is where the new school is built on.

A picture of the current Kelly Road Secondary School. (Photo supplied by Brendan Pawliw, MyPGNow.com staff)

Gloria Butcher is a Grade 10 student at Kelly Road who believes the students should have more of a say.

“Oh yeah, we should have had an anonymous vote and had their voices opinionated. We have a voice too and we want to be heard and if there was a vote then things would have been more civilized.”

“A lot of students are very disappointed, we were excited for a new Kelly Road and not a new whatever.”

Teagan Lorenz and Ashlynn Marr are Grade 9 students at Kelly Road who believe the tradition of the school should be carried on into the new facility when it opens in September.

“It’s been the same name, same colours, a lot of our parents and grandparents have graduated from this school and to see our school name change overnight, concerning the fact that they are going to build a new school and to make it better should at least include the same name.”

Shas Ti Secondary is the Dakelh name of the school that was given the controversial thumbs up.

Lorenz believes the district and the school should have tied in the aboriginal connection through coursework and presentations, making a name change unnecessary.

“I think they could have maybe taught us about first nations instead of changing our names and they do give us presentations and stuff, which I agree on. I just don’t agree with changing our whole school name.”

“Students shouldn’t have the full vote but I think since we’re the ones attending we should have a say in this.”

Butcher adds the familiarity of the school’s current name is also huge for the entire Hart community of Prince George.

“Kelly Road has just been a staple in the Hart community and I have talked to many, many students as you can see and we don’t want a name change, we are not meaning to be rude or anything, it’s just that Kelly Road is Kelly Road.”

(This is a corrected a version of our earlier story)

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Community rallies behind athletes during Special Olympics BC Summer Games

Medal ceremonies were held at Masich Place during day two of the Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

Prince George celebrates Pride Week with downtown parade

Residents lined up in the streets of downtown Prince George this morning (Saturday), taking in the 28th annual PG Pride Parade.

PG’s Jared Young gets second call-up to the Mets

Jared Young of Prince George is joining the New York Mets roster once again.

Zach’s Sports Shorts; Saturday, July 12th

Day 1 of the Special Olympics BC Summer Games has wrapped up yesterday (Friday), with today being the final day.

PHOTOS: Day one of the Special Olympics BC Summer Games

Day one of the Special Olympics BC Summer Games is in the books.  Nearly 900 athletes braved a rainy day in Prince George as they took part in ten sports today (Friday), with the action continuing tomorrow. 
- Advertisement -