![Belcarra Park's new name reflects its Indigenous importance](https://dpdajlq3ew794.cloudfront.net/20211008142425/belcarra-park-new-name.jpg?format=auto&width=1920)
A well-loved Metro Vancouver park is getting an exciting name change. On Friday, October 8, both Metro Vancouver and Tsleil-Waututh Nation announced that Belcarra Regional Park in Port Moody would have a new name.
The area is the site of one of the largest of Tsleil-Waututh’s ancestral villages, typically occupied as a winter village prior to colonization. Today, Tsleil-Waututh Nation has strong cultural ties to the land.
Now, it’ll be known as təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. In the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, təmtəmíxʷtən translates to “the biggest place for all the people.”
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The naming was unveiled at a special event where Tsleil-Waututh Nation members and officials arrived by canoe for a traditional welcoming ceremony and new signage was unveiled.
“The name təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park supports in telling the story of Tsleil-Waututh,” said Chief Jen Thomas.
“It shows both our Tsleil-Waututh community and members of the general public the importance of acknowledging and honouring Tsleil-Waututh’s history on this land and in these waters since time out of mind.”
Metro Vancouver and Tsleil-Waututh Nation are working together to make unique signage including artwork from the Indigenous community. In the next few months, park signage will be changed to share the new name.
![belcarra park new name](https://images.dailyhive.com/20211008144702/Behind-the-scene-Belcarra-sign.jpg)
Metro Vancouver
“Through our traditional name, language, and artwork being present in the park, Tsleil-Waututh is putting the face of our Nation back on the territory, demonstrating to our next generation the importance of being stewards of our lands and waters,” said Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Administration Officer Ernie George.
Originally, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Metro Vancouver agreed to rename Belcarra Regional Park on February 18, 2020. More than a year later, we’re finally getting to hear its new name.
Here’s how the new name sounds and how you can pronounce it: