City of Terrace staffers have embarked upon a project to reflect neighbouring First Nations in naming its streets, lands, facilities and parks. The project is being carried out in concert with the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations and continues the city's efforts at reconciliation.
Street naming will consist of updating a 2014 policy that reflects prominent local people, geographical features and history but does not specifically mention First Nations. Indigenous representation for public lands, facilities and parks will emerge from crafting a new policy.
The current street naming policy indicates "names can provide a sense of community for residents and can act as a means of commemoration and identity for the community as a whole.
"Proposed street names should generally be named after people, places, events and items or unique features related to the City of Terrace."
Vesta Avenue, for example, is named after Vesta Douglas, a local educator and supporter of the arts, while Hallock Place bears the name of city councillor and broadcaster Ruth Hallock. Both have since passed away.
The city's main park, George Little Park, is named after the person who founded what became the City of Terrace while Elks Park on the southside is named after the Elks club, the organization that helped establish the recreational area.
There is a modest Indigenous representation in that the city's main street, Lakelse Avenue, is an anglicization of 'Lax Gyels,' the word in Sm'algya̱x for the site of freshwater mussels. Sm'algya̱x is the language of the Tsimshian peoples.
And Medeek Avenue on the Southside is the Tsimshian name for grizzly bear.
The city took a major step this year by formally changing the name of the multi-use Grand Trunk Pathway that runs from downtown Terrace to the western end of the Kalum Bridge.
The original name comes from the original railway in the region, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. It is now called Xpilaxha, the George and Emma Nelson Trail after a prominent Tsimshian couple who lived in the area in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Xpilaxha (SPEE-la-haa in Sm'algya̱x) was Charles Nelson's traditional name and roughly translates as halfway to heaven.
The matter of Indigenous naming arose at the Nov. 12 council meeting following a request from the family of the late Ron Gowe to formally recognize an unofficial park he maintained and to name the park after him.
The park evolved from a mostly unused, city-owned gravel roadway between the Gowe residence at 4824 Straume Avenue and the Veritas Catholic church and school grounds.
In the 1980s, after receiving permission from the city, Gowe gradually turned the roadway into a park on his own time using his own money.
"Making the city property on Straume Avenue into a park and naming it after Ron would ensure the land continues to be maintained," the family wrote to city council.
"It would also be a great example to others of volunteerism and community pride and contribution. Ron was so proud to live in the City of Terrace and be able to contribute."
In a report, city staffers told council the unofficial park could be rezoned to park status and that minor improvements would cost up to $25,000.
Council accepted the recommendations but has deferred the matter of the park's naming until an Indigenous naming policy is adopted.
Councillor James Cordeiro said while he agrees that a naming policy is required, the park could be named after Gowe.
"I think it would be appropriate to support the naming," he said.
