Bill inspired by B.C. teen would see Indigenous characters, symbols on provincial ID
A private member's bill introduced in the British Columbia legislature last week would see the use of proper Indigenous names on provincial identification, something the government says is impossible with the current software.
If passed, Bill M209 would ensure that the numbers, symbols and characters that are part of some Indigenous names would appear on driver's licences and other forms of ID.
Called the Indigenous Names Statutes Amendment Act, the bill was inspired by a Grade 12 student who lives in Golden, B.C., Opposition MLA Doug Clovechok said.
The teenager had written her MLA a letter about truth and reconciliation and the reclamation of Indigenous names, he said.
"It was eloquent and inspiring, and it's her passion that brought this bill here today… Thank you for that, Emme."
Clovechok, who spoke the week before the one-year anniversary of an announcement that sparked investigations across the country, said part of the residential school system was to strip children of their Indigenous names. Monday marked that anniversary. The discovery of what a First Nation believes to be the remains of hundreds of children was announced in Kamloops in May 2021.
The preliminary results of an investigation on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School prompted similar ground-penetrating radar searches at other school grounds in Canada.
Clovechok said last week during its first reading that the bill responded to one of the 94 calls of action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.
"The traditional names given to Indigenous children carry deep cultural meaning. Yet for many First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples, colonialism and residential schools robbed them of these sacred names — names that are not only a symbolic issue but a matter of profound identity. They have meaning," he said.
The Liberal MLA said Indigenous applicants who've applied in the past to have their Indigenous names on their identification have been told that the current software is unable to accommodate special characters.
For example, a Vancouver couple named their child Alíla7, which means raspberry. Her parents told CTV News in March that they were trying to register her birth and her name, but that the province will not recognize the "7" as a valid character.
The girl's mother, Salia Joseph, whose ancestral name is St’ax̱í7aluts, explained the "7" is important as its distinct to the Squamish Nation, and that she didn't expect it to be a problem because it's a character "on everybody's keyboard."
But she was told it was not one of the approved special characters, and that numbers are not allowed.
"That's unacceptable. This bill will enable government to take action," he said.
The bill's first reading was May 19.
Bills before government are read a total of three times in the provincial legislature before being submitted for royal assent. Many become law after receiving royal assent, but others are not law until a later date.
At the time of the first reading, the province had already committed to implementing changes including the adoption of an inclusive digital font as part of its plan for upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In its 89-point action plan, the B.C. government committed to allowing for Indigenous languages to be used in communication, signage, services and official records.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Lisa Steacy
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.