Downtown Vancouver plazas get Indigenous names

The City of Vancouver has given Indigenous names to two of its downtown plazas.

The plaza adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is nowxexn Xwtl'a7shn. The name is linked to the plaza's past use as a gathering place for the Walk for Reconciliation.

The Vancouver Art Gallery's north plaza has been namedxnqXwtl'e7enkSquare, whichrefers to a place for a cultural gathering such as a wedding or funeral.

The city held a naming ceremony on Monday with members of theMusqueam,SquamishandTsleil-Waututhnations, whichhelped the city choose the names.

"This is the beginning of the first steps of a long path," said Gabriel George, manager of culture and language for theTsleil-WaututhNation.

"In 150 years, your children or grandchildren or great-grandchildren will know these names and be a little bit familiar with the languages of this territory."

Signdesign underway

City council pushed for the names as part of Vancouver's reconciliation efforts.

The names each use hnqminm,the language ofMusqueamandTsleil-Waututh, and Skwxwu7mesh, the language of theSquamishNation.

"Vancouver is committed to a new partnership withMusqueam,Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh that's based on mutual understanding and respectand on caring for these lands and waters," Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a statement.

The city saidit's working with the three nations onsignagedesigns for each plaza. The markers should be ready by the fall.

The City of Vancouver's tips on pronouncing the art gallery'snew plaza name:

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