Saanich will rename Mt. Douglas Park with historic First Nation name
The District of Saanich is changing the name of Mount Douglas Park to its historic First Nation name of PKOLS (pronounced p'kawls).
Local Indigenous communities and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) have long been calling for the name to be restored, and Saanich council agreed to the name restoration at a meeting Monday.
"PKOLS is an extremely important location in the history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation," said Eric Pelkey, Tsawout First Nation Elder and community engagement coordinator for the WLC, in a statement Tuesday.
"It was created by XÁLS [the 'creator'] as the border between us and the Lekwungen people, and it was where we met with James Douglas in 1852 to discuss what became known as the Douglas Treaty," he said.
"For these reasons, we, as W̱SÁNEĆ people, have a special relationship with PKOLS."
A PKOLS sign is pictured at Mt. Douglas Park in Saanich, B.C. (CTV News)
Saanich had previously identified the name change as an action it wanted to take when it launched its 2019-2023 strategic plan.
Now the municipality says it will work with the WLC on an "appropriate protocol" to mark the name change, which is scheduled to take place next year.
"This is another step forward in our journey toward reconciliation," said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes in a release Tuesday.
"As we work to build and strengthen relationships with our neighbouring First Nations, I’m pleased to address this significant action from our Strategic Plan," he said.
Mount Douglas Park was renamed PKOLS in 2022. (District of Saanich)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.