Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 02/98) - In keeping with tradition, many communities in the North are continuing to change their names.

The hamlet's of Snare Lake and Broughton Island will follow suit as of Nov. 1.

Broughton Island will be changing its name to Qikiqtarjuaq (Qi-kick-taak-joe-ak) which means, "Big Island."

Snare Lake will switch to Wekweti (Wuk-wu-tee) which means "Rock Lake" or "Snare Lake."

Lootie Toomasie, mayor of Broughton Island, said he thinks the change in names will bring the community "more respect."

Toomasie thinks Broughton Island alone does not demand respect because it is not understood by the people who live there.

"We don't know who it is (Broughton)," said Toomasie.

Randy Freeman, territorial toponymist for Education, Culture and Employment, said it usually takes six to eight months for a community name change to come to pass.

First, the community must indicate it wants to have its name changed.

"It has to come from an initiative from the community," said Toomasi.

This can be accomplished by a plebiscite, petition or, in some special cases, a band council resolution.

Broughton Island decided to change its name by way of plebiscite.

One hundred and thirty-five people in Broughton Island Inlet were in favour of the name change and only 30 voted against it.

Snare Lake was able to change its name by way of band council resolution because the community is governed by the band.

Freeman is then given the information from the community and must research it.

Once the research is finished, it is sent to the Cabinet where it must be passed.

Time is then given for people to get used to the new name and prepare for the change. The time given is usually about a month. In the case of Broughton Island hamlet and Snare Lake, because of time restraints, not as much time was given.

Iqaluit, Arviat, Taloyoak, Lutsel K'e, Deline, Tsiigehtchic, Tulita, Wha Ti, Kimmirut and Kugluktuk have already changed their names.