How are we working together?
When action planning work got underway, the ministry started to build a relationship with Tla’amin Nation staff. Since 2024, that relationship has evolved into regular virtual engagement meetings to discuss Action 4.27 and to collaboratively begin developing draft guidance materials that can be used to support this action.
In the context of the distinctions-based approach, it is important that the language, culture, heritage, history and land-based connections of the First Nation(s) on whose territory a local government is located, are honoured, acknowledged and understood by communities across B.C. Ministry staff recognize that local government names and local First Nations’ interest in those names will be unique across the province and that the local context, history and reconciliation priorities will be different in each.
Ministry staff intend to expand engagement on Action 4.27 to other First Nations across B.C. to gather input.
Are there challenges?
Planning has begun for engagement with First Nations and First Nations organizations, as well as local governments and local government organizations, to understand their interests and collect feedback to further inform this work.
Depending on the level of interest, there is a risk that there may not be enough resources to effectively engage. However, it’s important to engage in this dialogue across the province to capture different perspectives and interests and inform the materials developed as part of Action 4.27.
Community conversations about First Nations place names must consider how to confront Indigenous-specific racism and support cultural safety during engagement processes. Colonial names and the process of discussing them can have a negative impact on First Nations who are still living under a colonial system of government, are facing intergenerational trauma and experience systemic racism in B.C. and Canadian society.
Local discussions about First Nations place names reveal that there are diverse views on the matter, and it can be challenging for locally elected officials, local government staff and local First Nations to manage these discussions and related processes. While aspects of this work have no easy answer or pathway to follow — particularly where racist attitudes surface during local engagement meetings and discussions — the development of guidance may assist with managing these challenges.
Highlights
The restoration or reclamation of First Nations place names is identified in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action as an important reconciliation step. It is part of recognizing, preserving and strengthening Indigenous histories, languages and cultures. Guidance materials that are co-developed with First Nations and local government partners will be a first step to supporting local governments and First Nations to better understand the work they can do together to support the revitalization of First Nations place names locally.
As a part of this work, ministry staff developed a network of provincial ministries that have a role in naming to better understand how different entities are named (e.g., geographical features, school district names, infrastructure and roads). This outreach has shown the growing variety and depth of work that is being done to support First Nations language revitalization and place names across the province.
Ministry staff have also reached out to several municipalities and regional districts to understand local policies (e.g., streets, parks) and processes around naming (including the restoration of First Nations place names). Research has also included an analysis of past local government name changes, including the Village of Daajing Giids, to learn from and adapt the guidance.