Province of British Columbia confirms return of Ancestral Haida Name to Daajing Giids

Village of Daajin Giids Mayor Kris Olsen took part in 
today's live stream to announce the change of name  for
Haida Gwaii community
(From BC Gov't YouTube feed)

The Province has made it official, Queen Charlotte is part of provincial history now, as the community named after the British Monarch of the past, returns today to its Haida ancestral name of Daajing Giids.

The confirmation of the request from the community council delivered today in a statement from Victoria and relayed through a live stream broadcast this morning.

“The names of places hold significance, which is why I commend city council for working in partnership with the Haida Nation to bring this important act of reconciliation forward. Our government will continue to support local governments across the province to develop even stronger relationships with Indigenous Nations as we work together to move ahead with reconciliation and strengthen government-to-government relationships to create a B.C. where residents feel welcome in their communities.” -- Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. 

As we outlined in May, the Town Council made its decision towards adoption of the Haida name at their May 16th council session and forwarded the call for the name change to the Province for action.

According to Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen, the municipal name restoration by the NDP Government is the first to take place in the province.

In comments from the livesstream of the announcement, Minister Cullen noted of the moment as a learning opportunity for British Columbians and Canadians as they take on similar requests ahead.

"To be clear for everyone's knowledge and understanding, the restoration of this ancestral name of Daajing Giids, is the first in BC's history that we are aware of. 

I recognize that the name of local government is important to everybody and we will spend our time in the next weeks and months when I visit and the conversations that we have to learn from the leadership on Haida Gwaii.

Because there are many other communities knocking on the door asking the questions about their name about the histories and how those names were given and in some cases imposed upon community.

We will learn from this process together as we always do. We stand in great admiration of the leadership coming from Haida Gwaii, from Dajiing Giids Council ... 

We'll continue to work with the Haida, with the settler community and all others to advance reconciliation" 

In today's statement Kris Olsen, the mayor of Daajing Giides also noted of the history that was made.

“I am so proud of our community and village council as we had the honour of accepting the Elders’ request to restore the ancient and ancestral Haida name Daajing Giids as our village name. 

This has been a gift and an opportunity to make things right and show respect to the Haida Nation. We understand that everything depends on everything else as our world is interconnected. We have embraced our responsibility and come through on the right side of this historic moment.”

The announcement of the name change was streamed live through the BC Government YouTube channel.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice noted of the significance of the announcement as part of her hosting duties for the livestream broadcast.

"Restoring place names is a significant step towards reconciliation and as Gaagwiis has just mentioned by working together we can continue to honour and better understand the history and cultures that have shaped and continue to shape BC."

The full announcement including some further notes from North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice can be explored here.

In celebration of the occasion, Gaagwiis (Jason Alsop) the President of the Haida Nation offered up a verse to hail the name change for the community.

“Daajing Giids! Out of respect for the Chiefs and the High Ladies. 

Such a civic duty. Under the watchful eyes of sleeping beauty. 

Arise from a deep slumber. Reconnection with an old lover. 

Stoke the flames of the ancient place names. 

So many great dames, to bring the fame. 

Heal from the shame. A fresh start for all the new babies. 

Creek ladies rejoice, when the salmon come home. 

We’ve all come so far from the foam ...”

More notes from Haida Gwaii can be explored here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.