Two elementary schools—one in Ontario and one in British Columbia—have received Indigenous names. A new elementary school in Oshawa will be called Maamawi iyaawag Public School, which means “they are gathered here together” in Anishinaabemowin. A statement from the board said that the name was chosen in consultation with the Indigenous and broader school community and that it demonstrates allyship, commitment to truth and reconciliation, and “the bringing together of this community.” An elementary school in Vancouver, which was previously known as Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary, has been renamed wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm, a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name which means “the sun rising over the horizon.” The name was chosen in collaboration with the Musqueam Language and Culture Department and the district’s Indigenous Education Department. It is intended to reflect the school’s location within the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood. VSB superintendent Helen McGregor said that the name shows a commitment to reconciliation and “increases the knowledge, awareness, appreciation of and respect for Musqueam history, language, tradition, culture and contributions.”
