The idea of changing the name of Stanley Park to the aboriginal name Xwayxway is meeting with some strong reactions from Vancouverites.
A Squamish elder raised the idea at the opening Wednesday of Klahowya Village and the Spirit Catcher Train in Stanley Park.
Xwayxway (pronounced kwhykway) was the name of a permanent aboriginal village located where Lumberman’s Arch is today. The name refers to a ceremonial mask.
Squamish carver Robert Yelton supports the idea of renaming the park. He has a strong connection to the history of the land — his mother was born there and his grandparents used to live close to where the Lumberman’s Arch now stands.
Yelton carved a new Squamish totem pole last year, near what used to be Xwayxway. He said renaming the park would be giving it "its proper name."
"It acknowledges our people, and if we’re going into that name, that also acknowledges a lot of our surrounding areas," he said.
Squamish Chief Ian Campbell said he plans to discuss the idea with council and with other aboriginal leaders before bringing a proposal to the city and to provincial and federal levels of government.
Aaron Jasper, chairman of the Vancouver Park Board, said that while he’s open to the idea, any decisions around a Stanley Park name change would fall under the federal government’s jurisdiction.
"This is not just a local issue. It’s not just a backyard-park issue. This is a national debate, a national discussion," said Jasper.
"Maybe it’s time to have it, and I’m definitely open and willing to be part of that discussion, and engage everybody on this discussion."
Some locals visiting the park Thursday disagreed with the idea of changing its name.
Aaron Lindley, who lives in the Aldergrove area, said Lord Stanley should remain the namesake of the area. Stanley was the governor-general of Canada in 1888 when the park officially opened.
"I don’t like the idea, because the First Nations weren’t the ones who had the idea to open the park in the first place," Lindley said, standing in front of the Lord Stanley statue. "It’s not really the best way to go about that business."
"I think it’s the most ridiculous idea," said Michael Robins. "This is Stanley Park — it would be like changing the name of Central Park in New York. While I absolutely respect First Nations stuff, it’s an icon of Vancouver."
Reaction from readers on The Province’s website Thursday was predominantly opposed to the idea.
"There are other ways to honour our native heritage, perhaps renaming an area of the park, or a beach, to reflect the original native name, but the park name should never change," wrote one reader. "There are also substantial costs to this change, in new signage, and tourist marketing material for international distribution."
Another reader reacted positively to the idea: "I think Xwayxway is a beautiful name and should be incorporated perhaps in the same way French and English are in Quebec. I’m proud that our First Nations people want to express their tradition and language. It’s not difficult to learn and the pronunciation for those who are concerned is easy and even fun for tourists."
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