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For many, the project signifies more that putting up new signs it is a step toward reconciliation and understanding. Cowichan Tribes elder Merle Seymour smiled when saying the signs would “make me walk proud.” Everyone will be learning together, he said. Seymour was among Cowichan Tribes members featured in a documentary on the project that was played for council. The significance of using Hul’q’umi’num words was brought home when Seymour reflected on attending residential school, and what happened when the children spoke their own language. “Oh, we were in trouble. We used to get strapped. We used to get strapped on the hands, right up to here,” he said, pointing to his arm. It was hard not to speak their own language, he said, “because that’s all we knew.” ....
• Third Street - Smuyuqw’a Shelh • Fourth Street - Thuthiqut Shelh The Downtown Duncan BIA says that each Hul’q’umi’num name was chosen due to its significance to Cowichan Tribes culture, or if provided an appropriate translation of the English street name. Station Street was named Liloot Shelh, for instance, because Liloot means train, after the road’s train station namesake. Meanwhile, Third Street was named Smuyuqw’a Shelh, not because of a direct translation but because Smuyuqw’a means ladybug, which is an important figure in Cowichan Tribes storytelling, according to the Downtown Duncan BIA. The Downtown Duncan BIA hopes that this initiative will reflect the downtown business community’s leadership in building relationships and fostering meaningful connections with Cowichan Tribes, said the organization in a release Monday. ....