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It was possibly predictable that other communities in the wide Algonquin umbrella would not love the plan, especially those communities not in Ontario and, it is worth noting, those that don’t recognize provincial boundaries as having much meaning in the first place.
But it was the reaction of Claudette Commanda that must have the mayor squirming.
The respected leader, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, said to call the approval of Tewin an act of reconciliation between nations was an insult.
“This is why I’m disheartened, and my spirit is very heavy,” she told Postmedia’s Jon Willing. “I’m not impressed at all, and I’m trying to contain my emotions as calmly as I can.”
Commanda is a well-known figure at city hall and it was only days ago that she blessed the proceedings of elected officials before the first council meeting of 2021. Ouchies.
If only to add to the awkwardness, the city is proposing to rename a street and the old Prince of Wales bridge after Claudette’s grandfather, Chief William Commanda. Plaques on the right, slaps on the left — it was that kind of week for His Worship.
So now what?
One supposes the mayor has two options. Argue from the high ground, ignore the clamour from outside the city’s borders and bulldoze the plan through by rallying councillors who — let’s be honest — will never have to deal with the far-away consequences of a satellite community.
Or call a pause in proceedings in order to build a better consensus among natives and non-natives. But that, too, is fraught with problems, in particular a long, fruitless search for unanimity.
Tewin means home, we are told. It looks as though we’re nowhere near there yet.
To contact Kelly Egan, please call 613-291-6265 or email [email protected]
