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Are you in favour of renaming the Civic Holiday?

'It's going to have to be a marketable name that will ring off the lips of people and the holiday will be clearly known by that name' - Coun. George Maroosis
Inuksuk
Lake Nipissing waterfront. The inuksuk represents 'guidance and unity...towards common goals.' Photo by Stu Campaigne.

North Bay City Council has passed a motion to strike a committee to explore changing the name of the August Civic Holiday. 

See related story: Councillor wants to change the name of Civic Holiday to reflect Indigenous relationships

"Why just call it the Civic Holiday? Let's have a name for it," said Coun. George Maroosis, who tabled the motion at Tuesday's regular meeting of Council and indicated that the possible name change would "represent the partnership between the City and Nipissing First Nation," and that the idea came straight from the mayor's office. 

(Have your say on renaming the Civic Holiday. Take part in our related poll)

Chief Scott McLeod is on board with the project, observed Maroosis, adding that the Chief "is collaborating. The architects of this were the Mayor and the Chief, behind the scenes, this was not my idea."

When asked how McLeod's involvement in the renaming of the August holiday compared to the Chief's stance on Canada Day 150 celebrations, Maroosis answered, "I guess there were other issues when it came to Canada Day and, leaving that aside, I'm sure there will be no issue in celebrating the Civic Holiday by its new name in the future."

See related story: NFN Chief won't celebrate Canada Day saying Indigenous people have little to celebrate

After a unanimous, recorded vote in favour of moving forward with the proposal, Maroosis said that a committee will be formed that includes "members of the municipality and the Nipissing band. They can bring forward names, I'm sure the name will have to be meaningful around the historic partnership and collaboration that we have for years." 

Asked whether the name change would be permanent, Maroosis replied that that decision would be left to the committee, adding that he "can't imagine why we would change the name [again]."

Maroosis also hails the move as "a step in the process of acknowledgment and partnerships and reconciliation across this nation. We've had such a great historical relationship," he said, citing strong relationships with the late Chief Phil Goulais and former Chief Marianna Couchie, who were "great contributors to this area and worked closely with the municipality and other community partnerships for decades.

"I think the acknowledgment is long overdue and it's one step in the right direction in this country."
 


Stu Campaigne

About the Author: Stu Campaigne

Stu Campaigne is a full-time news reporter for BayToday.ca, focusing on local politics and sharing our community's compelling human interest stories.
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