The mayor of the Town of Port Hawkesbury says there’s been talks following their initial motion of a request to add ”Unima’ki” to the sign at the Canso Causeway welcoming community members and visitors to Cape Breton.
Brenda Chisholm-Beaton says their letter of support has been received by provincial officials, and she hopes to hear from Premier Stephen McNeil soon.
After February’s regular town council meeting Tuesday night, Chisholm-Beaton said the idea has drawn a lot of discussion so far.
“There were some citizens who said ‘Well, if you’re going to add Unima’ki, you should add it in Gaelic and add it in French’,” she said. “Partly, I think it’s because celebrating multicultural diversity and truth and reconciliation are kind of two different things.”
Chisholm-Beaton said the island was Unima’ki before it was Cape Breton.
She said the feedback that’s been received so far is important.
“That is part of what having that dialogue brings,” she said. “It brings about understanding, which is all about what truth and reconciliation is all about, so we all have a better understanding of who we all are, and the role that we can play in building stronger communities.”
Chisholm-Beaton said she’s hopeful officials in local municipalities and First Nations communities will also have their letters sent to McNeil soon.
Councillors in Antigonish town and county, Inverness Co., and Guysborough have also supported the idea.
Photo credit: Maple Signs & Engraving