If a group of First Nations get their wish, Calgary will be renamed Wichispa Oyade — Stoney Nakoda terms that roughly translate to mean elbow town. The Stoney Nakoda have applied to have a long list of well-known places across southern Alberta changed to reflect traditional names given by their people. “This lack of recognition contributes to an increasing threat that Stoney Nakoda heritage will be overrun.”The Stoney Nations, descendants of the Sioux, include three bands with the largest reserve located west of Calgary. “The Stoneys are asserting their rights, and good evidence of these claims is to formally ask for recognition of the Stoney Nakoda names,” Rae said. In 1984, the province changed the name of Mount Laurie west of Calgary to also include its Stoney Nakoda traditional name Iyamnathka, which means flat-surfaced rock or mountain.

Source: National Post November 13, 2017 09:00 UTC