Trout Lake, N.W.T., changes its name to Sambaa K'e

The Northwest Territories community of Trout Lake officially changes toits traditional Dene name today.

Sambaa K'emeans "place of trout" in Dene.

The fly-in community in N.W.T.'sDehcho regionhas a population of 110.

Sambaa K'e DeneBand members voted to change the official name of the community last year.

Band manager Ruby Jumbo said the decision to change the name to Sambaa K'ewas cheered on by the younger generation.

"That's how our grandparents had always referred to it, the name in Slavey, so I'mvery happy the government has recognized this and approved the community's recommendation to change the name back to its Dene traditional name," she said.

The change applies to all official applications including maps, postal addresses, highway signs and airport codes.

The community will celebrate today with traditional games, a feast and a drum dance, with guests coming from Meander River, Alta.