COLD LAKE - A push to restore traditional Dené names to local waterways sparked discussion at the City of Cold Lake’s June 17 Corporate Priorities Committee meeting, as council reviewed a provincial request for input on renaming eight lakes and creeks, some of which flow through the City’s jurisdiction.
The proposal, submitted by Cold Lake First Nations, aims to honour Indigenous heritage, and was brought forward by Alberta’s Heritage Division for municipal feedback.
“This is a proposal, and the City of Cold Lake is being engaged by the Government of Alberta,” said CAO Kevin Nagoya.
The current water features names include: Marie Creek to Thįteli Dese, Marie Lake to Thįteli Túwé, May Lake to Bek'e Nuh TheɁą Túwé, Burnt Lake to HobaɁi Túwé, Bourque Lake to Ųldaidétłés Tue, Angling Lake to Jethk'e Túwé, Reita Lake to Jethk'e Dese, and Sand River to ThaɁi Dese.
“The names are kind of the Dené names . . . Most of them are within the Municipal District of Bonnyville. Some of them do interact to some degree with the City of Cold Lake,” Nagoya explained. “I think the Marie Creek area does have a component that is within the City of Cold Lake jurisdiction. So that's why the City of Cold Lake has been just engaged if there's any concerns.”
While the City isn’t required to respond, administration recommended acknowledging the request and seeking clarification. “In regard to the proposed name change, the City of Cold Lake has an opportunity to be able to provide comments,” Nagoya noted.
Coun. Vicky Lefebvre urged a hands-off approach.
“I just think this is not involving us, and I don't know when we go into someone else's municipality we should be telling them what we think they can change the names on things . . . I would just accept it as information.”
Mayor Craig Copeland agreed, saying, “I don't know who decides all this . . . I would be surprised that the municipalities even decided lake names and creek names. I agree with you, we should just let it pass by . . . I didn't even know municipalities had the ability to name water bodies into someone else's jurisdiction.”
Coun. Bob Mattice added a consideration, saying, “My one thought on this is . . . I wonder if there can be the proverbial both names on, like on a sign or whatever . . . just to allay some confusion."
Copeland questioned whether provincial maps would be updated with the proposed traditional names and called for clarification from the province, saying the implications could be significant.
Council directed administration to reach out to the Heritage Division for clarification, particularly whether official provincial maps would reflect the proposed name changes or display dual names.
