Trump renames Lake Ontario, angering First Nations
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Donald Trump renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America” on a map, but First Nations communities in Canada and the United States say the act holds no weight because the lake is traditionally known as Niiganii-gichigami in the Anishinaabemowin language.
The Anishinaabeg people have lived around the Great Lakes, called Nayaano-nibiimaang gichigamiin, or “the five freshwater seas,” in their language, since before the creation of Canada and the United States.
The name “Ontario” itself comes from Wendat or Haudenosaunee words meaning “beautiful water.” Dehaeho:węhs Amos Key Jr. a Faith Keeper from Six Nations of the Grand River, explained that adding “ri:io” to a Haudenosaunee word signifies something precious and gifted by their creator. Prime Minister Mark Carney pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that the name “Ontario” is over 400 years old, predating both countries.
Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario follows similar actions with the Gulf of Mexico, which he called the Gulf of America, and Denali in Alaska, reverting it to Mount McKinley. However, Indigenous people view these actions as attempts at colonization, a tactic they have resisted for generations. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew echoed this sentiment, stating that it is difficult to negotiate with someone unwilling to act in good faith, and that Canadians should prioritize supporting their own land and people.
