Imagine the most valuable thing in your family. Something that is precious beyond telling. Something that you pass down as the most treasured gift one can give from elder to child. For many in Indian Country, that precious gift is an ancestor’s name. Bestowed in special ceremonies. Given with great solemnity and ritual. For them, the gift of a family name is not taken lightly nor scoffed at: The giving of it is akin to the most sacred ceremonies that non-natives attend in their churches be they Christian or Jew.

Now, imagine someone willfully ridiculing that gift in a newspaper editorial. Instead of celebrating it as representative of Central Whidbey’s rich historic tradition, the Whidbey News-Times intentionally heaps scorn upon that name, and what it represents. “Focus on finding something everyone can pronounce?” Well Mr. Editor, how about Dugualla? Scatchet Head? Hoypus Point? San de Fuca? (Oh boy… that last one could surely cause some jokes among school children.)

Anyone who claims residence in Washington state has learned to pronounce a host of names that reflect this state’s rich past from Sequim to Puyallup. Do you feel your readers are so lazy, so unwilling to learn about new historical figures (who did not merit mention in historical texts simply because of who wrote the history) and so culturally insensitive that the name proposed by the city of Coupeville and other organizations is beyond them?

Having worked with many in your community over the past 15 years, I never would have believed that possible. Your editorial (“Have some fun with ferry names, April 7) is unworthy of the people it represents. It is offensive in the extreme. And is a sad reflection of how close-minded some people can be.

Theresa L. Trebon

Continuum History and Research

Sedro-Woolley