The iconic Enderby Cliffs have overlooked the Shuswap for millenia, and played an important role in Splatsin history.
At the Monday, Nov. 6 meeting, Enderby council received a memo stating that BC Parks is working with Splatsin to include the traditional First Nations designation in the name, which would become Tplaqin/Enderby Cliffs Park.
This would be the latest such initiative, with the Roderick Haig-Brown provincial park having been renamed in 2018 at the request of the Little Shuswap Indian Band. It now bears the traditional Secwépemc name of Tsúswecw, which means ‘many rivers’.
“BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land, and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions and practices within these territories,” the Parks website states of the history it provides on different locations. “We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.”
As the process of renaming a provincial park requires an amendment to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act, the government is required to inform stakeholders and allow for input, though Enderby council, which has a close working relationship with Splatsin, didn’t provide any.
Having received the same notice, the Shuswap Trail Alliance responded with its support.
“We’re excited to see this proceeding, and happy to support what Splatsin and BC Parks are doing,” senior consultant Phil McIntyre-Paul said. “Working with Secwépemc leadership in identifying traditional names has been a priority.”
Established in 2006, the 2,299-hectare park conserves the imposing rock cliffs, stands of old-growth Douglas fir and larch, as well as sagebrush and rabbit brush that occur at unusually high elevations there. It’s also a popular hiking trail that Splatsin, BC Parks and the Shuswap Trail Alliance collaborated on to improve access, reduce erosion and protect the Secwepemc First Nations sacred area.
Read more: Memory of Dr. Mary Thomas honoured in naming of new Salmon Arm bridge
Read more: Mara Mountain Lookout trail restoration in Shuswap nearing completion
