For the first time in British Columbia, a municipality is changing its name back to its original First Nation title.
Haida Gwaii’s Queen Charlotte Village has officially changed its name to Daajing Giids Village, pronounced daw-jean geeds, which is its Haida heritage name.
The municipality began considering a name change in 2019 after the village council received a letter from the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program requesting that the name revert to its original Haida name.
Most recently, in May, a local poll found that about 60 percent of respondents supported the name change.
On Wednesday, the British Columbia government said the name change had become official.
“Place names matter, which is why I applaud the city council for working in partnership with the Haida Nation to bring about this important act of reconciliation,” Nathan Cullen, BC’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, said in a statement.
The province says restoring the community’s historic name is a step toward reconciliation under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Township Mayor Chris Olsen said the move was “an opportunity to make things right and show respect for the Haida Nation” in a statement Wednesday.
Haida Nation President Jason Alsop, also known as Gaagwiis, composed a poem to commemorate the announcement, which can be read below:
“Daajing Giids! Out of respect for superiors and senior ladies.
Such a civic duty. Under the watchful eye of the sleeping beauty.
Wake up from a deep sleep. Reconnecting with an old lover.
Fan the flames of ancient place names.
So many great ladies to bring the glory.
Heal the shame. A new beginning for all new babies.
The Creek ladies rejoice when the salmon comes home.
We’ve all come so far from the foam…”
With files from The Canadian Press
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