Vancouver introduces first city park named in two local Indigenous languages
Posted June 18, 2022 7:32 pm.
Last Updated June 19, 2022 11:32 pm.
A new downtown Vancouver park became the first one in the city to be named in both hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh languages.
The park, located at Smithe and Richards, will be named sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7, meaning ‘rainbow.’
According to the city, this is the first park created in the downtown area in 10 years, saying it was built on “the unceded territories of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.”
“(The name) was chosen by the Nations because the land where the park now sits was once forested with large trees and had many sources of water, including a marsh where the sun and mist would form rainbows,” said a city statement.
“The name also reflects the bridging of the diverse people and communities the park brings together, and is a nod to the vibrant LGBTQIA2S+ history of the area.”
Syex̱wáliya (Ann Whonnock) of Squamish Nation said the name is a good way to educate people on Indigenous territories and identity.
“The new place name will remind people that they’re on our traditional territories and help them to learn more about our languages and cultures,” said Syex̱wáliya (Ann Whonnock) of Squamish Nation.
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Chief Jen Thomas of Tsleil-Waututh Nation said the park would be a good step towards addressing current policies with park naming.
“We hope that sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7, ‘rainbow’ park, is a place everyone feels comfortable gathering and coming together as a community,” said Thomas.
“We are honoured for this dynamic new park to be gifted a beautiful name and for the role it will play in decolonizing the park system,” Thomas added.
More information on sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7 can be found on the Vancouver website.
