The picture above is George Raley on left, standing with a Bear House Post that he had taken away from Xa’isla People.
Early in 2024 Haisla Nation Cultural Department reached out to the Haisla Nation elected council for approval of changing two Street names in Kitimat, Raley and Anderson Street. It was approved by Haisla Nation council, and went forward to propose it to Kitimat Mayor and Council.
The Culture Department did send a letter to Kitimat Council a year ago about change the street names, The Culture department met with Haisla Hereditary Chiefs about this discussion, some Hereditary Chiefs and the culture staff agreed on nausda which translates to listen or listening to when someone is talking or telling a story. And nuyem, that is the story and history of the Haisla people.
Culture department was put on the agenda of October 7th 2024 meeting but the Mayor Phil Germuth was not present so the discussion was moved to October 21st when the Mayor Germuth would return. But yet again the discussion that night was delayed, after the Kitimat council and Haisla Nation Council would talk in person.
Content warring below: May be triggering for some people.
The reason of changing the street names is George Raley and George Anderson were missionaries, and stole artifacts from Xa’isla people and burnt some of them also, and established the Elizabeth Long Memorial Home In Haisla from 1908 till 1941. Anderson also married a Haisla girl aged 12 to 14, she got pregnant and she passed away during the childbirth.
Many people stand and agree on the street change name, Non-Indigenous people are standing beside and supporting the Haisla people.
CFNR News has reached out to Mayor Phil Germuth but he said “No comment, there is a meeting next month and I will not discuss till then.” – Said Germuth. CFNR News alos reached out to the Culture Department but they are not available for comment at this time.
