Emily Carr among 19 of B.C.’s historical figures and sites under federal review

Parks Canada is currently reviewing 208 designations across Canada and 19 of them are in B.C.

"Perspectives and interpretations of Canada's history have changed a lot over the last century," according to Parks Canada. "Some designations and their commemorative plaques include dated or insensitive content that does not reflect what is known or important to say about the country's history today."

The four main reasons for the review are because colonial assumptions were made from an “overly European perspective;” offensive and outdated terms or word choices; designations missing “a significant layer of history” typically related to the exclusion of Indigenous peoples; and historical figures who had controversial beliefs and behaviours.

The British Columbian designations under review include Emily Carr, whose reason for review was listed as "terminology." Mary Ellen Spear Smith, B.C.’s first female MLA, and Helen Gregory MacGill, B.C.’s first female judge, are being reviewed because of "controversial beliefs and behaviours."

A review of the Creation of the Province of British Columbia was triggered by colonial assumptions.

B.C.'s first Lieutenant Governor Sir Joseph William Trutch, who's under review for "colonial assumptions and absence," has already had his name removed from street signs in at least three different cities in BC. Many of his racist beliefs were recorded in Joseph Trutch and Indian Land Policy by Robin Fisher.

READ MORE: Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaques

Names of every historic designation under review across Canada can be found here, and the 19 from B.C. are listed below:

• Adrien-Gabriel O. M. I. Morice, National Historic Person

• Bishop Modeste Demers, National Historic Person

• Creation of the Province of British Columbia, National Historic Event

• Eagle Pass, National Historic Event

• Emily Carr, National Historic Person

• Exploration of the Fraser River, National Historic Event

• Exploration of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, National Historic Event

• Explorations of Sir Alexander MacKenzie, National Historic Event

• First Crossing of North America, National Historic Site

• Forest Industry in British Columbia, National Historic Event

• Fort Langley, National Historic Site

• Fort St. James, National Historic Site

• Fort St. John, National Historic Site

• Fort Steele, National Historic Site

• Helen Gregory MacGill, National Historic Person

• Mary Ellen Spear Smith, National Historic Person

• Sir George Simpson, National Historic Person

• Sir Joseph William Trutch, National Historic Person

• St. Ann's Academy, National Historic Site

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