Some information on a recent geographical name change on the Sunshine Coast; and, the proposed name change for Mount Garibaldi:
Sunshine Coast
- k’els – formerly Mount Victoria, located at the head of Queens Reach, northeast of Powell River. The name change is effective as of June 21, 2023. The link below provides helpful background information, including an audio recording to assist in pronouncing k’els correctly:
Mount Garibaldi, Squamish
- The BC Geographical Names Office has received a request from Squamish Nation to change the name of Mount Garibaldi to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim name “Nch’ḵay̓.” See attached letter dated June 13, 2023, which includes more information about the proposed name change. The deadline for feedback and comments on the name change is September 17, 2023. The link below provides helpful background information, including an audio recording to assist in pronouncing Nch’ḵay̓ correctly.
Yes, yes, yes! We need to re-instate Indigenous names for all the mountains in BC and the rest of Canada. The Indigenous Peoples were here long before we settlers and to not use their names is denigrating of them. Which is kinda how we’ve been acting for over 500 years here in Canada and BC. Yes, the names are harder to pronounce. Yes, the names are harder to remember. And yes, the names have complete stories behind them that tell the importance of each mountain and the role it played in the Peoples lives and spiritual collective. We need to respect that and struggle with our past ignorance.
Nuff said.