Warning: This story contains language that some will find offensive.
The federal government is renaming one of its facilities in Prince Edward Island in response to a request from the Abegweit First Nation.
As of Wednesday, the federally operated small craft harbour near the mouth of Savage Harbour on P.E.I.’s North Shore will be known as Crowbush Cove Wharf Small Craft Harbour, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a news release.
Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould has been lobbying for the entire area to be renamed in light of how insulting he feels the word “savage” is to Indigenous peoples in Canada.
“Savage Harbour, Savage Bay, Savage Wharf and the Savage Harbour cottage area. That is hard for me to say. I hate saying that word,” Gould said in June 2022.
Renaming the entire location is a complex process involving a provincial committee and the Geographical Names Board of Canada, but the federal government can and did act more quickly to rename the harbour.
The location of the Crowbush Cove Wharf Small Craft Harbour is shown as a red marker on a map of the wider area of north-central Prince Edward Island. Abegweit First Nation is located to the southwest of the area shown in this map. (Google Maps)
“DFO staff consulted with the Abegweit First Nation, worked with the Harbour Authority, which manages daily harbour operations, and heard from member harbour users, on renaming options for the federal harbour,” the news release said.
“The new name is the result of an engagement process undertaken by the Harbour Authority with harbour users.”
“Crowbush Cove Wharf Small Craft Harbour” was settled upon through a voting process, the news release said.
Gould was quoted in the news release as thanking DFO for addressing his community’s concerns.
“I would also like to thank the harbour authority, the users, and the community for choosing a more respectful name,” he was quoted as saying. “Working together to get things done is the real ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ everyone else is only talking about.
“Wela’lioq,” he said in conclusion, using the Mi’kmaw word for “thank you” when addressing multiple people.