On April 21, 2021, Hon. Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright L’Anse Au Clair and Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs introduced a motion in the House of Assembly to change the name of Red Indian Lake in Central Newfoundland to Wantaqo'ti Qospem. The provincial government selected this name without any public consultation process or transparent discussion with the people who live in the communities around the lake. None of the area’s municipal or provincial representatives were even informed of the government’s intention to rename the lake. This is wrong. This lake is a major geographical feature in the central interior of Newfoundland.

The government of NL accepts and promotes the “Principles and Procedures for Geographical Naming” as set by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. These principles on proposing a new name are clear:

“A provincial, territorial or federal authority would generally investigate a name by consulting the residents in the area, historical documents and files, and other sources. A decision to approve or reject would then be made, based on the available information.”  

None of this vital consultation has happened.

WE THE UNDERSIGNED call on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to do the following:

1. Withdraw the current motion.
2. Engage in a fulsome honest and transparent consultation process with the people of this province about the re-naming of this lake. In particular, consult with the communities surrounding the lake --  Millertown, Buchans and Buchans Junction.
 

3. Ensure that the consultative process is thorough and includes:

- Consideration of the current name in the full and proper context and whether the lake should be renamed.

- Consideration of the history of the Lake, including the historical and archeological record.

- Consideration-of and respect-for the Lake as a site of significance specifically for the Beothuk. Especially given that the remains of the last chief of the Beothuk, Nonosbawsut (d. 1819) and his wife Demasduit (d. 1820) are to be returned to the area.

- Participation of the municipal and provincial representatives of the people who live near the lake.

- Consideration of other effects of any new name on the area – as relate to future community, cultural, social, and economic activity.
 

4. Commit to full and transparent public disclosure and consultation on any further decisions that may affect the lake and the people who live there.

Please make this right. Please take action immediately on the aforementioned demands. The people of this province deserve a say in what happens. Future generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to know that a full respectful and inclusive consultation and conversation took place before taking such an important decision.