Central Saanich Council has unanimously approved a motion to add Indigenous names on signage for streets, parks and trails throughout the district.
At a council meeting on Monday night, the district voted in favour of the motion — put forward by Coun. Niall Paltiel — to create dual-language signage with W̱SÁNEĆ names.
Following the approval, signage throughout Central Saanich will be installed that features both English and SENĆOŦEN – the language of the W̱SÁNEĆ people.
The district says it intends to work with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council to develop a program that would incorporate SENĆOŦEN names on signage in key areas and roads.
For Mavis Underwood, a Tsawout First Nations councillor, it’s a step in the right direction because of the significance of the language and its connection to the land.
UPDATE: Central Saanich council unanimously approved the motion at last night's meeting. https://t.co/09aC1XRZ9C
— Jasmine Bala (@JasmineBala_) January 26, 2021
“Our teachings, our education came off the lands first, before schools, before residential schools, it came off the land and the water. The ability to navigate throughout traditional territory was very important, and that was done by naming landmarks and naming history, historic events,” said Underwood.
At this time, it hasn’t been revealed how many landmarks would be identified with the new dual-language signage.
The landmarks that would be chosen for the signage, Paltiel said, would be determined in discussion with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council.
It also is unclear how much the new signs will cost.
The motion also includes connecting with the districts of North Saanich and Saanich to consider their interest in the project, as some streets run through both municipalities.
Duncan also recently announced that a handful of street signs in its district would be converted into dual-language ones as well – featuring feature English and Hul’q’umi’num names.
Graham Cox
