Smithers supports name changes – Interior News

BC Geographical Names Office asked the town of Smithers for comment on two possible name changes in the region.

The Town of Smithers is backing a request for several geographical names to be changed in the region.

The BC Geographical Names Office received a request from Dr. M. Jane Smith (Xsiwis) from the Gitxsan Nation, with support from the Gitxsan Huwilp Government and the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine, to change the official name of several features located in the Bulkley-Nechako and Kitimat-Stikine regional districts.

One of the proposed changes is Babine Range to “Anlisinsxwhl Lik’i’nsxw” for the range between Babine Lake and Babine River and the Bulkley and Skeena rivers, Kitimat-Stikine Regional Districts. “Anlisinsxwhl Lik’i’nsxw” is a Gitxsanimx name for this mountain range and means “grizzly bear mountain range.”