Recognition of Traditional Place Names within the Jurisdiction of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

At the 23 July 2018 meeting the Park Board I put forward the following Notice of Motion. This will be brought forward for debate at the next meeting on 23 September 2018.

NOTICE of MOTION

Recognition of Traditional Place Names within the Jurisdiction of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

MOVER: Commissioner Mackinnon

WHEREAS:

1.    The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation approved eleven Reconciliation Strategies in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action; one of those strategies calls for the acknowledgement that “Aboriginal rights include Aboriginal language rights; that preservation, revitalization and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities;

2.    The Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people have inhabited this land known as Vancouver since time immemorial;

3.    That lands the Park Board maintains jurisdiction over remain unceded, and that Park Board occupation of this territory and commitment to UNDRIP demand that local Indigenous rights be respected and acknowledged;

4.    Names form an integral part of culture and heritage;

5.    The traditional names of places are known to the Indigenous peoples of Vancouver;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

A.   THAT the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation work with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations on identifying the traditional names of places within the jurisdiction of the Park Board;

B.   THAT the use of traditional names be recognized by the Park Board;

C.   THAT staff work with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations on ways to acknowledge those names at parks, beaches, and other public spaces within the jurisdiction of the Park Board, in a way deemed most appropriate by the Nations.