By Brian Lee
Congratulations to the people of the "Arbutus Coast." Arbutus Coast is part-time Garden Bay resident Peter Boronkay’s winning submission in the "Name Our Northern Neighbour" contest.
Announced Oct. 6 at the Pender Harbour Fall Faire, the Arbutus Coast will now and forever stand to describe the fine people and spectacular vistas of the area formerly known as the upper Sunshine Coast. Despite the contest's inherent goodwill, there was some initial resistance by a few Arbutus Coasters who prefer to cling to the extinct superstition that Powell River is on the Sunshine Coast.
Upon learning of the contest, reactions by some Arbutus Coaster poopy pants ranged from:
"I live on the Sunshine Coast. You apparently live under a dark cloud,"
to
"It’s a paper mill, not a pulp mill."
Powell River’s Sun FM and the Powell River Peak both picked up the story, the latter quoting the mayor of Powell River, Dave Formosa, as saying "it was a little rude."
Powell River:
Understand, we do this out of love.
The District of Sechelt spends billions each year creating, then rejecting, then creating new brands for themselves. We’re giving you one — free.
Time will show that the Arbutus Coast will not only deliver you from the shadow of your southern neighbour but will be recognized as the first step toward remedying a profound historical injustice. And, besides, it’s too late — you are the Arbutus Coast and it will be much less painful if you just tear the Band-Aid off quickly. Like a photo of yourself from the ’80s, you’ll look back at this one day and laugh at how silly you looked, trying to be us.
Consider Boronkay’s (paraphrased) inspiration for his Arbutus Coast submission:
"The Saltery Bay to Lund area is the approximate northern limit of this majestic tree, a tree as beautiful as the area itself."
But Arbutus Coast is more than just a name for a sublime stretch of forest and ocean. It represents a new understanding of the relationship between the Sunshine Coast and its northern neighbour. It is a gift from a people who have awakened to reclaim their cultural identity. Joining hands, the Sunshine Coast has stood up to tell the world that we will no longer tolerate abuse by a confusing and dysfunctional geographical misnomer.
Yes, we are, as Powell River’s MLA (himself a reluctant Arbutus Coaster) Nicholas Simons blogged, "fraternal twins."
But fraternal twins rarely share the same name. (Mr. Simons may have meant to write "Siamese twins.")
But, if we are fraternal twins, we are also cellmates. Arbutus Coast, no longer must you climb the rickety ladder to the top bunk — you now have your own room. And, if you ever wake, lonely and afraid and in need of a snuggle, know that we’re just down the hall.