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
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.