In order to move forward in true reconcilation, I and the below signed, request that Cornwallis Street in Bridgewater be renamed. The street being named after Edward Cornwallis, a governor of Nova Scotia who was a British military officer who founded Halifax in 1749. He issued a so-called scalping proclamation the same year, in which he offered a cash bounty to anyone who killed a Mi'kmaw person, including women and children. This proclamation was never rescinded.

 In 2018, the statue of Cornwallis was taken down in Halifax, due to public pressure. Recently, an Elder by the name of Danny Paul in Sydney, appealed for street signs with Cornwallis's name to be taken down. They were removed. We are seeing the removal of statues across America and in other countries. Statues that are symbolic of systematic racism, colonization, and white supremacy. It is for this reason, we call upon those in political office, to follow by example.

Some may argue, that this is erasing history, and dishonouring our past. However, how can we truly embrace our history, our past, if we do not include the voices and stories of the original peoples of this land, which was once called, Mi’kma’ki.

If we truly inspire to be a more compassionate and inclusive community, we believe this gesture will make a huge difference in our relationship with the Mi'kmaw communites that surround us, and to the Mi'kmaq people who may reside in our community. If hundreds of people can gather on the unceded land of the Mi’kmaq people at Pijinuiskaq (pronounced BE-JN-OO-IS-GAH)   Park, in downtown Bridgewater, for a gathering of solidarity against systematic racism against Black lives, then why can't we show solidarity for the First Peoples of this land.

In addition to this online petition,  residents of Bridgewater are asked to call their representatives and/or send a written request to:

Mayor David Mitchell

Office: (902) 541-4364
Cell: (902) 521-2177
david.mitchell@bridgewater.ca        
 
Deputy Mayor Andrew Tanner

(902) 529-0081
andrew.tanner@bridgewater.ca      
 
Councillor Cheryl Fougere

Cell: 902-523-4186
cheryl.fougere@bridgewater.ca       
 
Councillor Michael Graves

Cell: 902-521-4704
michael.graves@bridgewater.ca     

Councillor Jennifer McDonald

Home: (902)529-0574
jennifer.mcdonald@bridgewater.ca
 
Councillor Bill McInnis

Home: 902-543-8098
Cell: 902-541-0324
bill.mcinnis@bridgewater.ca            
 
Councillor Wayne Thorburne

Home: (902) 543-7771
Cell: (902) 527-8138
wayne.thorburne@bridgewater.ca  

 
Wela'lioq

Thank you.