Museum Name Change

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In February 2022, the Board of Directors proceeded to vote on a new name drawn from the public submissions that reflected the two core criteria: a name that would more accurately reflects the geographical region that the Museum serves, while supporting improved relationships with First Nations in the spirit of reconciliation, with the implied removal of the word Powell.

Of the all the names submitted, those that included the name “ qathet” readily met the core criteria. Tla’amin Elders gifted the word qathet to the former Powell River Regional District in 2017. It signifies “ working together” in the ʔayʔajuθəm language. Adopted by the Regional District to represent the area of its jurisdiction, qathet corresponds with the region that the Museum serves as well.

After seeking permission from the Tla’amin Nation to adopt qathet as its new name, on March 31st 2022, the new name, qathet Museum and Archives Society, was presented to the membership via a Special General Meeting: 97% voted in favour. Following this on April 21st 2022, qathet Museum and Archives was officially registered with the BC Registry.

Bill Vernon acknowledges and thanks the entire team: “This would not have happened without the generous contribution from our entire team at the Museum. I would like to thank staff, directors, volunteers, members, and the public for the contributions made over the past year as we moved forward in our change of name. Many people were passionate about changing the name and with their collective hard work and dedication to finishing what we started, we are proud to be known now as the qathet Museum and Archives Society. ”

To see all related press releases and other documents visit: www.powellrivermuseum/name-change