To: The Government of Canada

Subject: Protecting the Indigenous History and Name of Lake Ontario

Dear Prime Minister and Members of the Government of Canada,

I am writing to urge the Government of Canada to oppose any unilateral attempt by the United States government to change the name of Lake Ontario without meaningful consultation with the First Nations whose history, culture, and traditional territories are connected to the lake.

Lake Ontario is not simply a body of water divided by a modern international border. For generations, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (an alliance of Indigenous nations in northeast North America), and Anishinaabe nations have lived around and maintained deep relationships with these lands and waters. Haudenosaunee communities and traditional territories extend around both the northern and southern shores, and Indigenous nations continue to have communities on both sides of the Canada–U.S. border, including the Mohawk communities of Akwesasne and Tyendinaga.

Even the name “Ontario” has Indigenous origins, associated with Huron-Wendat ontarí:io, commonly translated as “great lake,” and Haudenosaunee oniatarí:io, associated with “lake of shining waters.” Ref: https://cgll.org/great-lakes/ 

Changing such a historically significant name without Indigenous participation would disregard the living nations whose relationship with this region predates both Canada and the United States. It would also conflict with the principles of reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights.

I therefore respectfully call upon the Government of Canada to reject any unilateral renaming of Lake Ontario and to insist that the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and other affected Indigenous nations be meaningfully consulted before any change is considered or recognized.

Lake Ontario is more than a name on a map. It is part of an ancient and living Indigenous landscape. Its name and identity should not be changed without the voices of the peoples who have been connected to these waters since time immemorial.

Sincerely,

Joëlle Rabu

I stand in solidarity with ​all Indigenous Nations of Turtle Island​ upon whose traditional territories ​I​ live, work and play.