Words matter, and so does representation: Why renaming things is significant

Times change and sometimes names and preferred phrasings dotoo.

So too do the symbols in our midst.

To that end, the Newfoundland and Labrador government is in the midst of what it calls a review of cultural symbols, observances and monuments some of which it acknowledges are racist. colonial and derogatory to Indigenous people.

For instance, the government last year moved to makechanges toits coat of arms, which dates from 1637. Until last November, the legislation for itreferredtotwo standing Beothuk men as "savages."

Similarly, the government is no longer calling June 24 "Discovery Day," and has renamedRed Indian Lake in central Newfoundland as Beothuk Lake.

But there's more to come. In an age of reconciliation, other familiar names, places, statues andartworks are also being reconsidered.

One of them is the Colonial Building, the seat of power in Newfoundland for more than a century.

Such topics can be touchy but also timely, given that, for instance, Prince Charles and Camilla are scheduled to make a royal visitthat starts Tuesday inSt. John's.

To shed some light about this, CBC asked Salome Barker, a Mi'kmaw settlerfrom Grand Falls-Windsor (Ktaqmkuk), to bring an Indigenous lens to some complex issues and some difficult conversations playing out across Newfoundland and Labrador.

WATCH ABOVE | Salome Barker looks at why Newfoundland and Labrador is renaming places and things, and why representation matters.

Video produced by Zach Goudie.

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