It害羞草研究所檚 not a new name for Naramata, but a sign at the entrance to the little community recognizes the name the area was known by long ago.

Long before European settlers arrived on the scene, that area was known as citx史s paq蓹lqyn, or House of Bald Eagle, by the Syilx people.

Recognizing the area害羞草研究所檚 traditional name is part of an important process, according to James Pepper, the PIB害羞草研究所檚 natural resources department director.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 part of a really important process. Something that is often overlooked is there is a deep-rooted history, as the chief (Chad Eneas) mentioned in his speech. At the lower levels, we have artifacts and archaeology that date back to around 4,500 to 5, 000 years ago. In the upper elevations we have archaeology that dates back even farther than that because there was ice in the lower reaches,害羞草研究所� said Pepper. 害羞草研究所淭his is a really interesting, rich, cultural history and this is a really important part of that. We know that Naramata was essentially home to numerous bald eagle roosts, hence the name House of Bald Eagle, citx史s paq蓹lqyn.害羞草研究所�

The genesis of the name recognition project came out of a park-naming project. Karla Kozakevich, Naramata害羞草研究所檚 director on the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board, said the area had acquired a new park and decided to turn to the public to suggest names.

害羞草研究所淥ne of them that was suggested was Eagles害羞草研究所� House and they said that was the traditional name of Naramata. Then we had a vote and the public voted that as the highest, that they wanted that,害羞草研究所� said Kozakevich.

They contacted the PIB and found out that wasn害羞草研究所檛 quite right. House of Bald Eagle was the more accurate translation, and it applied to the larger area.

害羞草研究所淲e just decided to put a recognition sign at the entrance to Naramata to identify the whole area as traditionally known as House of Bald Eagle,害羞草研究所� said Kozakevich. The park ended up being named Spirit Park, another of the favourite names gathered through voting on mynaramata.com

害羞草研究所淭hings like that are really of interest and I think they are an important part of reconciliation, sharing that knowledge and understanding each other害羞草研究所檚 perspective. Changing place names, or amalgamating them as we have, is a really important part in that process,害羞草研究所� said Pepper. 害羞草研究所淲e are fortunate here at the natural resources department to meet weekly with the language speakers, elders and knowledge keepers and they advise us on a lot of the work we do and undertake.

害羞草研究所淥ne of those discussions was around place names. Place names, in Syilx culture, are more than just names. They have a cultural context and this one did as well.害羞草研究所�

Kozakevich said it was an 害羞草研究所渙utstanding opportunity to work more closely with the PIB,害羞草研究所� and that PIB Chief Chad Eneas was very supportive of the process.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e looking at possible future projects with them as well, so this is sort of a springboard to some other future opportunities,害羞草研究所� said Kozakevich.

Pepper also sees this as helping develop the working relationship between the two governments.

害羞草研究所淲ith inter-government relations, there are some tough conversations, and that those can be difficult to have and they take a long time. But there are also ways that are easy for us to work together,害羞草研究所� said Pepper. 害羞草研究所淭his is one of those ways. Working with the regional district, we害羞草研究所檝e had a very good working relationship for this project, it害羞草研究所檚 a win-win for everyone.害羞草研究所�

Pepper said he害羞草研究所檚 looking for more opportunities to talk some of the 害羞草研究所渓ow-hanging fruit害羞草研究所� along with the tougher discussions.

害羞草研究所淚f you always focus relationship development on the really hard contentious stuff, it害羞草研究所檚 going to be really hard to forge ahead,害羞草研究所� said Pepper. 害羞草研究所淏ut if you allow room for some of these easy wins, you start getting to know each other and it makes the tough stuff easier to talk about and move forward with.害羞草研究所�