Should a Tla‐o‐qui‐aht Hereditary Chief's Portrait Hang Beside The English Hereditary Chief's in Tofino's Council Chambers?

Tofino resident George Patterson wrote the following letter to Tofino Council a while ago;

  "Dear Folks; I have lived in Tofino for twenty three years. When I first arrived I noticed immediately that a portrait of the Queen of England was prominently displayed in the Council Chambers. She is the hereditary chief of one of the founding Second Nations of Canada. Over the years I ave read a few books about the royal family and even though I do not consider myself a monarchist, I have developed respect for what they represent to many Canadians.

Tofino is situated within the traditional territory of the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations and over time I have had the great pleasure to witness the great expansion of recognition, acceptance and even pride in this fact among us non‐aboriginals. Almost all meetings I attend begin with a statement of acknowledgement and thanks to Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations (TFN). Every delegation of important visitors is informed that they are on TFN Territory. Our elected Mayors increasingly discuss matters of mutual interest and import with TFN's elected chief. Important events start and finish with a prayer and a song in a language most of us do not understand but whose rhythms provide us with both a great sense of spiritual comfort and a strong connection to the long history of Clayoquot Sound. I am very proud to ive in a community that is so actively and sincerely learning to live with respect for the original inhabitants of this place.

I suggest that a portrait of the TFN's hereditary chief (Tyee Ha'wiih) be displayed beside that of the Queen of England. This simple act would be both recognition of how far we have ome in our relationship with our First Nation neighbours and a demonstration of our commitment to improving it.

An act like this requires no permission from the Provincial or Federal authorities, it requires no passage of a by‐law. It is a similar situation faced by our village about fifteen years ago when Sada Sato, a retired architect who lived on Chesterman's Beach, noticed that there as actually a bylaw on the books prohibiting Asians from owning property in Tofino. He gently pointed this out to the Administrator who overnight rectified the situation.

  All that needs to happen here is for the Mayor to get a hammer and nail and put it in just the ight place. The rest of Council could cheer, and then they could all get back to work. One small step.......

It would be a good idea to have the event photographed perhaps even filmed for posterity. . This small step will be praised across Canada and the world. Tofino will glow.

I thank you for your time and pledge $100 to the acquisition of the portrait.

Warm regards,

George Patterson"

I asked George about the letter recently


If you want a deeper look into what makes George tick here's an artist video he made with our own Cam Dennison a while back and he's a wonderful man to talk to next time you get down the the Tofino Botannical Garden.

The End of Gardening from StrongHeart Productions on Vimeo.

Thanks for listening to Long Beach Radio. -Geoff