First Nations chief suggests Slhx7lsh as the new name for Stanley Park's Siwash Rock

One of three Coast Salish First Nations approved to rename Stanley Park's iconic Siwash Rock is proposing the name, Slhx7lsh, or "standing man," in the Squamish language.

According to SquamishFirst Nations legend, a man was preparing for the arrival of his child when he was immortalized by being transformed into the stone we see today as a reward for unselfish fatherhood.

On Wednesday, the park board voted unanimously to work with the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations to rename the basalt rock betweenThird Beach and the Lions Gate Bridge.

"I think this is an opportunity for authenticity where the real names that Coast Salish peoples, particularly Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh have used for thousands of years should be recognized when everything else is in English," said Squamish First Nations Chief Ian Campbell.

"There's really no presence in the park to add value of the contributions and the homelands of our people."

He says the three First Nations have slight variations in how they spell and pronounce the name, so they will have to discuss how to proceed.

SiwashRock's current nameis a Chinook word originating from the French, "sauvage", meaning savage.

Vancouver Park Board commissioner Catherine Evans called the name "an ongoing symbol of disrespect"to Indigenous Peoples.

• Siwash Rock needs its 'derogatory' name changed, park board commissioner says

Campbell plans to speak with the park board about further namingand opportunities to showcase to tourists the kinds of structures that made up their historic villages in the park.

"We've been advocating for this for many years, so to see it finally come to fruition after generations of effort I think is a celebration that our history is your history,"said Campbell.

"We're in this together, and it doesn't just start with French and English and 150 [Canada's 150th anniversary], but in fact spans a millennia."

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development says it's encouraged by the park board's show of reconciliationand is ready to receive the naming proposal.

With files from The Early Edition