Such as response shows that students today are indeed concerned and are aware of these contentious issues. Therefore, should adults not have a responsibility to give these children a proper response to an issue that has been disturbing our society for a while now
Recently there have been a rise in the number of articles regarding the contentious of renaming road names in our community. Some of them are necessary, such as Dewdney Trunk Road. As more people became increasingly aware of the background of Edgar Dewdney, more people begin to realize just how inappropriate it was to name an important road after a notable individual who treated indigenous people with prejudice. “Nowadays it is imperative for our society to achieve reconciliation with indigenous people, so renaming this road is a very good first step.” Said Annie He, a high school student from Gleneagle Secondary School.
“I think it is necessary to change it since people now that we’ve realized that although he (Dewdney) made significant contributions in his time, his actions conflict with our modern value system of what is considered appropriate and hence we should change it.” Said Samantha Li another student from Gleneagle Secondary School.
“Well, I think probably because back then during the early stages of Confederation, most people consider Dewdney as a person who made positive contribution to society, so they paid tribute by naming a road after him,” stated Miss He
Such mentality should alert us, that although the youth of today realize why certain roads are named the way they are since people back then thought that it was it was fitting to pay homage to important people in the past. However, the passage of time provides us an opportunity to further uncovered the deplorable actions of what was once considered a noble figure it never more important than right here and now to set things straight and rid our roads, streets and avenue of names associated with our offensive colonial past.
Although it is imperative that we make we make positive changes as soon as possible, we also need to be realistic and pragmatic to how long it will take for the modifications to take place.
“It will most definitely add to the workload and pressure who need to revise the road and streets name on platforms such as google maps after the changes are agreed upon and approved.” said Ms. He
In addition to seeking approval to have a road renamed, other issues to contemplate include what the new name should be is as well as whom ultimately decides what the new road name will be. An extensive and thorough vetting process may also need to be undertaken to ensure that the new road name does not carry the negative baggage the old one did.
The process is not as straightforward as just renaming the road and changing the road signs wherever needed as there are also additional factors we need to consider before embarking on a renaming roadway exercise.
Homeowners and Businesses along a renamed road will also need to get all their important documents such as property titles and insurance papers updated with new addresses containing the new road name. As well, businesses will also need to reproduce any business cards, letterheads, signage etc. containing their address with the old road name to ones with new road. Although both the former and latter will keep certain local businesses humming, it is nonetheless going to be a timely and costly foray. Also, if one pauses and thinking about it long enough, such an undertaking not necessarily environmentally friendly with all the paper products that will be consumed in this effort to erase the errors of the past. However, such an exhaustive and most likely expensive endeavor is necessary in our journey of reconciliation with the Indigenous people of Canada. The process will not happen overnight, it will happen in due course, but we need to be a just a bit more patient and give a chance for all relevant stakeholders to share their ideas and concerns as we progress from one step to the next in the remaining and ultimately reconciliation process