Reaction to new school’s name offers a lesson on reconciliation

Since we first questioned the Peterborough public school board’s choice of a name for its newest elementary school a variety of commentary has surfaced.

Some supported the board’s choice, East City Public School, as the most appropriate name. A larger number disagreed, not always for the same reasons.

Many felt, as we do, that Shining Waters Public School is the best choice.

Responding to our call to reverse the decision and choose Shining Waters, the Kawartha Pine Ridge board chair outlined her view of the decision and noted a number of steps the board has taken to “champion Indigenous education, achievement and awareness for all.”

Those steps show a substantial commitment to meet the challenge of the national Truth and Reconciliation Committee, which in its final report highlighted Canada’s education system as one place where change could be most effective.

The board could add to that record with a bold, public declaration in favour of the first local school name with an Indigenous connection.

Reconciliation was not a priority when the search for a name for the Hunter Street East school that would replace King George and Armour Heights schools began.

The naming committee received 52 submissions. Twelve suggested East City Public School, making it the most popular single choice. One suggested Shining Waters Public School. “The Land of Shining Waters” has long been used as a reference to the Kawartha Lakes area, in part because of its Indigenous connection.

Kawartha is an anglicized version of the Anishinaabe words ka (water) and was a (shining).

The board’s naming committee, intrigued by Shining Waters, consulted with representatives of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nation and endorsed it by an 8-5 margin.

Not a unanimous choice. Nor was there unanimity among the 52 people who had offered their suggestions after extensive advertising within the two school communities, on social media and through the news media.

Not in the Indigenous communities, either. Hiawatha representatives were very supportive of Shining Waters. Curve Lake representatives preferred an actual Anishinaabe name from the same root words, Kaa-Waa-Te, which means shadows on the water.

School board trustees saw other factors to consider. Two schools were being melded into one, with the potential to cause tension. “East City” was already being used as an unofficial name and people were used to it. It is a common term for the school’s geographic location and would be easy for everyone to identify with.

In her response to our call for the board to change its decision and select Shining Waters, board chair Diane Lloyd stated that East City is the best name “at this time, with this community.”

But time will pass. The school community will change. Shining Waters, if it is chosen, will be treated with the same pride all schools have in their names.

Innovative, challenging decisions that push reconciliation forward are unlikely to get unanimous support. There will be differences of opinion within any community, whether it is gathered around a school or within a First Nation, or First Nations.

When public bodies make those challenging decisions, current and future generations get to see Canada as one community growing beyond two troubled pasts.

If the school board chooses not to reverse its naming decision, this should at least be a lesson for future opportunities.