Emotions remain high following this week’s announcement that Kelly Road Secondary School may potentially be facing a name change.
Passionate Prince George residents gathered in front of the School District 57 (SD57) building to host a rally voicing their opinion on the proposed change today (Saturday).
Although unanimously against the change, opinions within the group dramatically varied.
Some, such as Todd Carlton, father of two former Kelly Road students, were in favour of compromise:
“I’m all for walking together down this path, but I do not believe we need to erase one name to support another. These two names can co-exist, and coming together is the way forward on this.”
Others, such Dwayne Hurtubise whose four children attended the school argued the name change is not necessary and recommended that the new athletic field be named in honour of First Nations.
“It’s forced onto us… there’s no reason to change the name,” he stated.
Wally Brown, a former teacher who worked at Kelly Road for 31 years said: “Kelly Road is an institution right from the Hart… I don’t understand why we’re looking to change the name actually.”
Amanda Garden, a Kelly Road alumni with a daughter attending the school, felt defensive.
“I think we should be protecting what we have built.”
Some, including Garden, suggested that the change was conspiratorial as she stated: “I think that they have clearly gone along with this for quite a while, and have just come public with it now.”
The name causing the controversy? Shas Ti Secondary, a Dakelh phrase that means grizzly path or trail.
This is the second rally this week in response to the proposed name change, with a student-organized rally being held on the first school day after the announcement.