Editor:
It is befitting that the media has focused on assisting evacuees and rebuilding the town.
While the future of the town as a tourist destination is uncertain this year, once entrance to the town is restored with essential businesses open, some may still choose to visit and be enchanted by the stunning landscapes, with visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of a truly wild animal.
Bear 222 and her cubs’ survival is a miracle. Yet, I find John Marriott’s comment in the article “Well-known mama grizzly bear and her cubs survive Jasper’s destructive wildfire” in the Aug. 1 edition of the Outlook, “These larger animals like bears and wolves are incredibly resilient and can generally outrun even a fast-moving wildfire”, to be overly optimistic and slightly dismissive.
John, and other individuals quoted in the article, failed to mention the terror all the sentient beings must have felt when attempting to flee from the wall of fire that proliferated so rapidly.
Given the innumerable species which inhabit Jasper National Park, how is it possible to accurately determine the number of those who perished?
In the true spirit of reconciliation, and during rebuilding the town, the time is now to change the name of Jasper, which refers to a voyageur and trading post manager, and also the name ‘Maligne’, to accurately reflect the presence of Indigenous peoples who had originally resided in the area.
Pierre-Jean De Smet, a Jesuit priest, referred to the current of the river near its confluence with the Athabasca River as ‘maligne’ which means wicked. But the word ‘wicked’ precisely reflects the appalling treatment of Indigenous peoples – certainly not the myriad, magnificent waters of the park.
The name of Maligne Lake should revert to the Stoney Nakoda First Nation’s name of Chaba Imne or Beaver Lake.
Parks Canada’s program of reviewing national historic designations should be able to accomplish this name change.
Carol Tracey,
Calgary
