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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.