Vancouver city council unanimously passed a motion Thursday night to rename Trutch Street because of racist policies against Indigenous people enacted by B.C.’s first lieutenant governor, Joseph Trutch.
Joseph Trutch served as the province’s first lieutenant governor and as chief commissioner of lands and works, a role he used to dramatically reduce the size of Indigenous reserves.
Beginning in the 1860s, Trutch became involved in colonial politics, serving as the Chief Commissioner of Land and Works. Throughout his political career, Trutch was noted for his hostility to land claims by First Nations people, and demonstrated contempt for their concerns.
Trutch Street will instead receive a Musqueam name, chosen by the Musqueam Indian Band.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart said Musqueam leaders have been calling for the renaming of the street for over a decade, which inspired him to bring forth the motion last month.
The motion also states that city council will also consider requests from the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to rename other streets.
Joseph Trutch was a racist & chief architect of policies causing immense & long-standing harm to First Nations People.
He doesn’t deserve to have a street named after him, so I’m grateful Council unanimously backed my plan to see @musqueam rename it as an act of #reconciliation.
— Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) July 9, 2021
Last modified: July 9, 2021
It’s hard to argue with this one, actually – Trutch really stands out from the crowd – not in a good way – and the sooner we don’t have to put his name in our mouths to speak an address, the better.