Reconciliation: Red Indian Lake in central Newfoundland to be renamed Beothuk Lake
The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced Wednesday it plans to change the name of Red Indian Lake to Beothuk Lake following a series of public consultations aimed at supporting reconciliation.
Premier Andrew Furey had announced in April that the lake's name would be changed to Wantaqo'ti Qospem, which means peaceful lake in the Mi'kmaq language.
But after local residents complained about a lack of consultation, the government dropped that idea and turned to the public for guidance.
One scholar noted that giving the lake a Mi'kmaq name would be "an insult" to the Beothuk people, who were among the island's original inhabitants and hunted on the lake's shores.
The new name was chosen after Indigenous leaders reviewed a list of suggested names.
On Wednesday, the Liberal government introduced legislation to make the change official, saying the new name would strengthen Indigenous histories, languages and cultures.
"The goal of the consultation process was to ensure that everyone who had a viewpoint on the name of Red Indian Lake had an opportunity to share their thoughts," Indigenous Affairs Minister Lisa Dempster said in a statement.
Dempster said the province's Indigenous leaders had made it clear the original name for the lake in central Newfoundland was unacceptable.
A series of public consultations was held in three small towns nearest to the lake, and the province set up an online portal for the public to submit suggestions.
The last Beothuk is believed to have died in 1829.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.