Queen Charlotte on Haida Gwaii has had its ancestral Indigenous name restored, becoming the first municipality in B.C. to have that happen.
It's now recognized as the Village of Daajing Giids (pronounced daw-jean geeds).
The move comes after village council worked with local Indigenous nations and the community, prior to submitting a proposal to Victoria.
Other names in B.C. have been restored but this is the first one for a municipality. In August 2021, two areas on the Sunshine Coast changed names.
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said renamings are starting to become a trend, something he said bodes well for the future of reconciliation.
“I think the renaming of Queen Charlotte City to its ancestral Haida name is a reflection of the progressive nature of the Horgan government,” Phillip said.
“There are certainly more places that have been renamed in regard to the racist nature of their former colonial names. It’s a trend.”
Phillip noted similar actions in the State of Alaska; in 2015, President Barack Obama used his executive power to rename the highest mountain in the U.S., Mount McKinley. It was renamed Denali, its traditional Athabascan name.
To commemorate the July 13 announcement, president of the Haida Nation Gaagwiis (Jason Alsop) shared a verse:
"Daajing Giids! Out of respect for the Chiefs and the High Ladies.
Such a civic duty. Under the watchful eyes of sleeping beauty.
Arise from a deep slumber. Reconnection with an old lover.
Stoke the flames of the ancient place names.
So many great dames, to bring the fame.
Heal from the shame. A fresh start for all the new babies.
Creek ladies rejoice, when the salmon come home.
We've all come so far from the foam ..."
Minister of Municipal Affairs Nathan Cullen said place names hold significance and recognized the restoration as an important act of reconciliation.
"Our government will continue to support local governments across the province to develop even stronger relationships with Indigenous nations as we work together to move ahead with reconciliation and strengthen government-to-government relationships to create a B.C. where residents feel welcome in their communities."
In 2019, the province passed legislation to align provincial laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It included exploring new ways to strengthen government-to-government relationships and work together on good governance at the community level.
"I am so proud of our community and village council as we had the honour of accepting the Elders' request to restore the ancient and ancestral Haida name Daajing Giids as our village name," village Mayor Kris Olsen said.
"This has been a gift and an opportunity to make things right and show respect to the Haida Nation,” Olsen said. "We understand that everything depends on everything else as our world is interconnected. We have embraced our responsibility and come through on the right side of this historic moment."
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice called the move a first-of-its-kind initiative.
"By working together, we can continue to honour and better understand the history and cultures that have shaped, and continue to shape, B.C."
