Three years after the Regional District officially changed its name to ‘qathet,’ we’ve finally caught up. This is a regional magazine, named after the region we serve. The region hasn’t been called “Powell River” since 2018. On the pages of the magazine, we’ve regularly used the word ‘qathet’ to describe the region for three years.
name from “Powell River Living” to “qathet Living” won’t cause division. But given the current climate and the vicious name change debates about the City of Powell River in June on Facebook and in person - we’re not that naive. Some readers will see the magazine’s name change as a step towards reconciliation. In part, that’s correct. Some readers will see the magazine’s name change as an abrasive dismissal of the last 150 years of local history. It’s not. Instead, the word ‘qathet’ simply means ‘bringing together,’ or ‘working together.’ The word was a gift from Tla’amin to the Regional District. It describes a relationship that’s already there – Tla’amin, the Regional District, the City of Powell River and the Province have all worked closely together as government, business and education partners for at least 40 years. Individuals in this town from every ethnic background, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, work, study and socialize alongside each other every day. But “qathet” also describes a hope. An aspiration. When I launched Powell River Living 15 years ago, I In June, we were devastated by the revelation that lived in the Corporation of the District of Powell River 215 bodies of children were recovered at the Kamloops which was part of the Powell River Regional District. Residential School, undocumented, in unmarked At the time, this magazine’s tagline was: Cele- graves – plus other remains at other schools throughbrating the people and out June. While the graves stories of the region. should have been no surWe tried to work someprise, the abominable truth thing into the tagline to was laid bare, again. The describe the region we legacy of the potlatch ban; ISABELLE SOUTHCOTT served. For a while we diseases; the destruction of toyed with “from Saltery the village at Tiskwat; the Bay to Lund including Powell River, Texada and Sa- dispossession of Tla’amin’s lands and resources; the vary Island.” It was an awkward mouthful. segregation at the hospital and elsewhere; the Indian A lot has changed since we launched. Act; the cultural destruction and abuse meted out to On October 15, 2005, coinciding with its 50th an- Tla’amin children at St. Mary’s, Kamloops and Sechelt niversary of incorporation, the Corporation of the residential schools; the 60s scoop, and so much more District of Powell River reincorporated to become are always in the background here in qathet, even as the City of Powell River. To differentiate itself from we work, study and socialize together. the City, on July 5, 2018, the Powell River Regional In the fall of 2013, elder Johnny Louie led a walk District received approval from the provincial govern- for reconciliation. It ended at the gazebo at the beach ment to change its name to qathet Regional District. on Tla’amin Nation - where a century before, missionIn hindsight, I should have changed the name of the aries burned the Nation’s regalia and drums. There, magazine soon after the regional district changed its in front of about 300 people, he “buried the hatchet,” moniker. qathet is a good name, has an uplifting mean- a symbolic wooden carving that symbolized moving ing, and it’s inclusive. I admit I didn’t like the change forward together, peacefully. at first and it took me a while to get used to qathet, let By gifting the region a name that means “working alone pronounce it, but I did, eventually. And it’s a lot together,” Tla’amin Nation is being masterfully graeasier than “from Saltery Bay to Lund including the cious by offering both the name and the intention. City of Powell River, Texada and Savary Island.” Here at qathet Living magazine, we strive to bring It’s about time our magazine’s name reflected the the community together, to tell stories, and showcase region we serve. From this day forward this publi- the best of qathet. To work together. cation will be known as qathet Living. The name of We hope to live up to our new name. the company that publishes it will remain the same, As always, thank you for reading and thank you for Southcott Communications, as we also publish other supporting this magazine. magazines including Home Grown and ZEST, and we You are welcome to share your thoughts with me offer communications consulting. regarding this name change. Send me an email at We’d love to believe that changing the magazine’s isabelle@prliving.ca or call me at 604-485-0003.
So here we are, late to the game. It’s about time.
Working together
LAST WORD
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