The federal government is renaming one of its facilities in Prince Edward Island in response to a request from the Abegweit First Nation.
As of Wednesday, the federally operated small craft harbour near the mouth of Savage Harbour on P.E.I.’s North Shore will be known as Crowbush Cove Wharf Small Craft Harbour, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a news release.
Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould has been lobbying for the entire area to be renamed in light of how insulting he feels the word “savage” is to Indigenous peoples in Canada.
“Savage Harbour, Savage Bay, Savage Wharf and the Savage Harbour cottage area. That is hard for me to say. I hate saying that word,” Gould said in June 2022.
Renaming the entire location is a complex process involving a provincial committee and the Geographical Names Board of Canada, but the federal government can and did act more quickly to rename the harbour.
“DFO staff consulted with the Abegweit First Nation, worked with the Harbour Authority, which manages daily harbour operations, and heard from member harbour users, on renaming options for the federal harbour,” the news release said.
“The new name is the result of an engagement process undertaken by the Harbour Authority with harbour users.”
“Crowbush Cove Wharf Small Craft Harbour” was settled upon through a voting process, the news release said.
