Halifax's Mi'kmaw Poet Laureate Rebecca Thomas illustrates the power of words. Her poem "Not Perfect" inspired Halifax Regional Council on the controversial Cornwallis debate. The Mi'kmaq have long argued that Cornwallis is a brutal historical figure who shouldn't be commemorated in statue and street names. City council nixed a motion to talk about the issue last year. But after hearing Thomas' poem, council had a change of heart... and vote.