52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing

Week 5-Research Indigenous Place Names
from Robertson, David A. 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing

In this chapter, Robertson invites us to notice the places we move through every day, especially the rivers and lakes that shape our communities and our sense of home. He begins with the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg, describing how it is woven into daily life, from kayaking in the summer to neighbourhood hockey games in the winter. It is easy to enjoy these places, he suggests, without ever stopping to think about where their names come from.

The name Assiniboine comes from the Assiniboine people, whose traditional lands include parts of southwestern Manitoba, southeastern Saskatchewan, and areas of the northern United States. The word means “those who cook by placing hot stones in water.” Robertson shares that it took only a few minutes to look this up, but that small act of research deepened his connection to the river and the place he calls home.

He encourages readers to explore the origins of other familiar place names as well. Many lakes and rivers in Canada have Indigenous names, even when they may not sound Indigenous at first. Winnipeg comes from a Cree phrase meaning “muddy waters,” and Ontario comes from a Haudenosaunee word meaning “sparkling water.” Robertson notes that Indigenous place names are often both beautiful and practical, shaped by careful observation of the land and water.

There is also a deeper reason for this invitation. Robertson believes that connection creates accountability. When we know the stories of the land and waters around us, we are more likely to care about their wellbeing. At a time when many of our lands and waterways are under stress, this sense of responsibility matters.

Robertson suggests starting with online research using reliable sources, and, when possible, reaching out to local Indigenous communities and knowledge keepers who can offer deeper insight. He shares that, in his experience, Indigenous people are often welcoming of sincere efforts to learn and understand. Reconnecting with the original names of our waterways can renew our sense of relationship and responsibility, echoing the care Indigenous peoples have shown for the land for thousands of years.

What river, lake, or place near you could you learn more about, and how might knowing its story change the way you relate to it?