James Trutch, the first lieutenant governor of B.C., once described west coast First Nations people as "the ugliest & laziest creatures I ever saw."
The statement wasn't out of character for him; he once told the Prime Minister of Canada that most First Nations in B.C. were "utter Savages" who frequently murdered each other, and wrote that they should have no right to the land they lived on.
As lieutenant governor, he rewrote policies that significantly reduced the size of reserves, among other racist policies.
Vancouver has a street named after him, it runs from West 1 Avenue south to West 18 Avenue. Mayor Kennedy Stewart has introduced a motion to change that.
"Joseph Trutch was a racist and the chief architect of racist policies which inflicted immense and long-standing harm to First Nations People," states the motion which suggests the street be renamed.
The motion also notes the Musqueam Indian Band has requested the street be renamed and suggest that the new name be chosen by the First Nation.
It also puts forth the option for the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations to make similar requests.
The motion will be discussed Tuesday, July 6.
