Spelling of Cowichan Secondary School to get Indigenous update
The name of one of the largest high schools in Duncan, B.C., will soon be changed to its traditional First Nations spelling.
Cowichan Secondary School will be renamed the Quw’utsun Secondary School, according to the Cowichan Valley School District (SD79).
"The current spelling of Cowichan is an anglicized version of the Hul’q’umi’num’ name of Quw'utsun, the nation whose territory this new school is built on," said the school district in a release Thursday.
SD79 says the updated spelling comes after a period of consultation with the Cowichan Tribes Vision Committee, which includes Cowichan Tribes elders, Indigenous education staff in the district, Indigenous students and senior school district staff.
The committee recommended that the new spelling be in place for when the high school's new replacement building opens next year.
"The board does recognize that the current Cowichan Secondary School has been an anchor in the Cowichan Valley for over 70 years," said the school district.
"'Cow High' has been a foundational place, in both structure and community, and there is deep family association with both the physical place, and the concept of Cowichan Secondary," the school district added.
"However, the 70-year-old Cowichan Secondary School represents another side to many in the community. Cowichan Secondary was built at a time when, across the country, the educational system was used to destroy Indigenous knowledge and culture rather than empower it as is done today."
The school district says the updated spelling will help the community acknowledge the past and collectively move forward.
No adjustments to the school logo or colours are expected.
The new Quw’utsun Secondary School is still under construction and is on track to open in spring 2024, according to the school district.
When construction began in late 2021, the project was estimated to cost more than $82 million.
The school will have capacity for 1,100 students, with space to expand by an additional 400 seats in the future.
Earlier this week, the Greater Victoria School District also announced it would be changing the name of George Jay Elementary to a First Nations name.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.