Dear John: I read your open letter (BPP Issue #8/21) with interest in that you are intent on changing the name of Bruce Peninsula National Park to “Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula National Park”, and you are asking that we all consider adopting this “anglicised version” of Saugeen (meaning “river mouth”) Peninsula.
Contrary to your remarks, and based on my recollections, I do not believe that Saugeen Peninsula was in “common usage well into the 1970’s”. With respect to the County of Bruce being named in honour of Governor General, Lord Elgin of Bruce, you suggest that this is somehow improper because this individual had not visited the locale. Using that rationale I suppose you could also argue that Victoria County should be re-named because the Queen had never travelled to that area.
At any rate, if I am not mistaken, I gather that this decision was made unilaterally, by you, without local public consultation, which is disappointing. Had you engaged in local public consultation for instance, I would have proposed consideration for the possible Wendat name for the Bruce Peninsula at or around the time of first contact with the French. The Wendat people were of the Indigenous Iroquoian linguistic group and their members were variously called Huron, Petun, and Neutral by Europeans. These people established a “middleman” trade relationship with the French in the early 17th century. The Wendat were attacked and dispersed by the Five Nation Iroquois Confederacy in the mid 17th century who were covetous of their trade relationship, and at war with the French. Some Wendat removed to the French at Quebec and most of the surviving remainder went to what is now known as Wisconsin where they were subsequently forced by the United States government to re-locate to Oklahoma in the 19th century. The Wendat people still consider the area of Ontario west of Georgian Bay as their “traditional homeland”. In the well known book entitled “The Bruce Beckons” by W. Sherwood Fox, reference is made to the Wendat name for the Bruce Peninsula as noted on a French map from 1755. The name on this map was “OUENDIAGUI” or more phonetically in English “WENDIAGHY”. According to Fox this name means “island or peninsula cut off” which is perhaps a more accurate description of the geography.
So I am just saying John that you should engage and consult with the local community, initially, to measure the degree of support, for or against, prior to making a name change decision. Or perhaps leave geographical name change proposals to the Municipality, the County, or the Province.
John, I sincerely hope that you will show leadership in your role as Superintendent of Bruce Peninsula National Park/Fathom Five National Marine Park, towards honouring and fulfilling the terms and conditions of the Municipal, Provincial, Federal Agreement of almost 35 years past, that Parks Canada promised to honour and obey in order to be allowed to enter and engage as a part of our community.
Yours truly
Douglas SWEIGER
Tobermory, Ontario
