The City of Vancouver was designated a City of Reconciliation when the framework was adopted by Council on July 8, 2014. The designation and commitment followed the Year of Reconciliation in Vancouver from June 2013 to June 2014.
We will form a sustained relationship of mutual respect and understanding with local First Nations and the Urban Indigenous community
Our vision
As a City of Reconciliation, we will:
- Form a sustained relationship of mutual respect and understanding with local First Nations and the Urban Indigenous community, including key agencies
- Incorporate a First Nations and Urban Indigenous perspective into our work and decisions
- Provide services that benefit members of the First Nations and Urban Indigenous community
Our goals
Our long-term goals:
- Strengthen local First Nations and Urban Indigenous relations
- Promote Indigenous peoples arts, culture, awareness, and understanding
- Incorporate First Nations and Urban Indigenous perspectives for effective City services
City of Reconciliation Plaza Naming Project
By City of Vancouver
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Ray Harris of Stz’uminus First Nation led the ceremony
By City of Vancouver
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The new names are unveiled
By City of Vancouver
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Attendees were both moved and entertained
By City of Vancouver
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Witnesses from Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh
By City of Vancouver
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Dancers performed as part of the ceremony
By City of Vancouver
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Mayor Gregor Robertson and Minister Jinny Sims with performers
By City of Vancouver
On June 18, 2018 the City of Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) announced two new names for prominent public spaces downtown Vancouver.
Acknowledging the colonial legacy of naming in Vancouver the plaza naming process sought to return decision-making to the original inhabitants of this land and bring more visibility to the local Indigenous languages and cultures.
šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly known as the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza)
šxʷƛ̓exən
Xwtl’a7shn
Pronunciation guide
šxʷƛ̓exən (hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language)
šxʷ = Sounds similar to : “shh”
ƛ̓ = Begins like “t” then releases into the “l” sound described below
(ɬ) = Place tongue as you would to pronounce an “l” and then blow a steady stream of air past the side of your tongue
e = Sounds like the e in “bet”. This vowel carries the primary stress in šxʷƛ̓exən
x = Sounds like the h in “huge”
ən = Sounds like the last two letters in the word ‘satin’
Xwtl’a7shn (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language)
Xw = Sounds like the wh in “what” with more friction on the roof of the mouth
tl' = Like a t and an l combined, but popped
a = Sounds like the a "bat"
7 = A glottal stop. Found in the beginning each "uh" in "uh-oh".
sh = Sounds like the sh in “share”
n = Sounds like the n in “no"
šxʷƛ̓ənəq
Xwtl’e7énḵ
Pronounciation guide
šxʷƛ̓ənəq (hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language)
šxʷ = Sounds similar to: “shh”
ƛ̓ = Begins like “t” then releases into the “l” sound described below
(ɬ) = Place tongue as you would to pronounce an “l” and then simply blow a steady stream of air past the side of your tongue.
ənəq = Rhymes with the first four letters of the word “unaccountable”
Xwtl’e7énḵ (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language)
Xw = Sounds like wh in “what” but with more friction on the roof of the mouth
tl' = Like a t and an l combined, but popped
e = Sounds like the i in "bill"
7 = A glottal stop. Found in the beginning each "uh" in "uh-oh"
é = Sounds like the i in "bill", but the accent means this vowel is stressed
n = Sounds like the n in “no”
k = Made by raising the very back of the tongue to touch the soft palate
Truth and reconciliation
Aligning the Truth and Reconciliation call to actions with our work.
Year of Reconciliation
In partnership with Reconciliation Canada, we supported a Year of Reconciliation.
Canada 150+
In 2017, Vancouver staged a once-in-a-lifetime project to mark Canada's 150th anniversary.
Related documents
- City of Reconciliation framework
(149 KB) - 2017 City of Reconciliation staff report (December 4, 2017)
(340 KB) - City of Reconciliation staff report (January 19, 2016) (143 KB)
- Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (January 19, 2016) (204 KB)
- Vancouver Park Board’s 11 recommendations (January 6, 2016) (209 KB)
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
