The City of Terrace is working with the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations to create a new Indigenous naming policy for streets, parks, and public spaces. The initiative aims to better reflect the region’s Indigenous heritage and continue the city’s reconciliation efforts. This project will revise the city’s 2014 street naming policy, which has historically focused on local people, places, and historical events, but did not specifically incorporate Indigenous representation.
While Terrace already has some Indigenous names—such as Lakelse Avenue, which is derived from the Sm’algyax word Lax Gyels (meaning site of freshwater mussels)—the new policy will aim to expand Indigenous influence in naming conventions. For example, the city recently renamed the Grand Trunk Pathway to Xpilaxha, after the traditional name of George and Emma Nelson, a prominent Tsimshian couple.
The issue of Indigenous naming came up at a council meeting after a request from the family of the late Ron Gowe to officially recognize a park he developed. The park, located near Veritas Catholic Church, could be named in his honor, but the council has deferred the decision until the Indigenous naming policy is in place.
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