P.E.I. Government, Opposition call for changing name of Confederation bridge to Epekwitk Crossing
Virtually 25 years after it opened to site visitors, all three of P.E.I.’s political events say it’s time to rename the Confederation Bridge to Epekwitk Crossing.
A motion calling for the identify change, launched by Premier Dennis King however developed collectively between the Premier and the Official Opposition Greens and the Third Occasion Liberals, handed unanimously within the legislature on April 29.
The movement was additionally developed with the assist of P.E.I.’s two at present sitting Senators, Brian Francis and Percy Downe.
Redressing the previous #pei #cndpoli #epekwitk @BrianFrancisPEI pic.twitter.com/bRdtiUqVyD
— Senator Percy Downe (@PercyDowne) April 29, 2022
The movement’s preamble famous that, within the 1990’s, a panel chaired by former P.E.I. Premier Alex Campbell beneficial the bridge be named ‘Abegweit Crossing.’ Abegweit is the anglicized spelling of ‘Epekwitk,’ the Mi’kmaq identify for P.E.I. The federal authorities opted for the second selection on Campbell’s checklist, the Confederation Bridge, which had garnered extra assist from public submissions.
The movement additionally acknowledged renaming the bridge would present a dedication to upholding the rights of Indigenous folks and would assist acknowledge the significance of the Mi’kmaq language.
In a speech earlier than the legislature, Premier King spoke about his connection to the identify Epekwitk, which he discovered about in class. He additionally stated he had a connection to the phrase due to his travels throughout the “outdated abbey” ferry previous to the bridge’s development.
“The one factor that connects all of us as Islanders is that this sense of place and this connection,” King stated.
“That’s precisely what the pathway to reconciliation – that’s what land rights and all of these items – are about. It is in regards to the Mi’kmaq eager to be reconnected with that sense of place that has been taken from them for a lot too lengthy.”
King stated altering the identify would contain a negotiation with the federal authorities, which holds the naming rights for the bridge.
Throughout from the Premier, each Opposition Chief Bevan-Baker and interim Liberal Chief Sonny Gallant expressed assist for the movement.
“I recognize deeply the place that Confederation holds in our province’s wealthy historical past. However I additionally know the profound harms inflicted by colonialism on the indigenous peoples on this land,” Bevan-Baker stated.
“I’ll by no means be capable to say I absolutely perceive of the problems confronted by the Indigenous peoples, and I’ll by no means perceive the magnitude actions of the previous,” Gallant informed the Home.
“However what I can do is be an ally and stand with you in assist.”
In a media assertion, Francis, a former chief of the Abegweit First Nation, stated P.E.I. has lengthy acknowledged its historic position because the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation. However he stated this historical past additionally “got here at an ideal value to Indigenous Folks.”
“From 1867 onwards, we turned the goal of a violent technique of dispossession, displacement, exploitation and elimination, which continues to impression our lives as we speak,” Francis stated.
“The renaming of the bridge to ‘Epekwitk Crossing’ would serve to honour the power and resilience of the Mi’kmaq in addition to to advertise better consciousness and understanding of our distinct id and tradition.”
Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard stated the identify change would assist 1000’s of tourists acknowledge the Island continues to be Mi’kmaq territory.
“Our historical past has been taken from us, it has been hidden from us for all these years,” Bernard stated.
“This can assist us to see ourselves on this province.”
At a separate announcement earlier on April 29, Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould didn’t ascribe the identical significance to the movement. He stated he was extra involved about what could happen on account of a current choice by the Lennox Island First Nation to provoke a average livelihood fishery.
The Abegweit First Nation has chosen to not provoke its personal average livelihood fishery at present.
“Our individuals are confronted with making an attempt instances. We’ve extra necessary points at stake,” Gould informed SaltWire reporter Logan MacLean.
“We’ve violent breakouts in Nova Scotia. We don’t need them in P.E.I. We don’t need that taking place right here. Why are we not speaking about that?”
Throughout query interval on April 29, King stated he supported the suitable of Mi’kmaq fishers to pursue a average livelihood. He urged industrial and First Nation fishers to “do not forget that that is area that we share collectively.”
