In a profound act of reconciliation that reverberates through Vancouver’s urban landscape, the city has officially renamed Trutch Street to šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm (pronounced sh-wum-utth-kwy-um-us-um), honoring the traditional territory of the Musqueam Indian Band. The ceremony on Saturday marked the culmination of years of advocacy to remove the controversial colonial namesake Joseph Trutch from the city’s map.
The transformation of this Kitsilano thoroughfare represents far more than a simple name change. Joseph Trutch, British Columbia’s first lieutenant-governor after Confederation, has long been criticized for his openly hostile policies toward Indigenous peoples, including reducing the size of reserves and describing First Nations as “savages” unworthy of land title.
“This renaming acknowledges the harm that was caused by Joseph Trutch’s policies and actions,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim during the ceremony. “It’s an important step toward healing relationships with the Musqueam people, on whose unceded territory our city stands.”
The new name, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm, carries deep cultural significance as it means “place for tying up canoes” in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, reflecting the historical use of the area by Musqueam people before colonization.
Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow expressed both pride and emotion at the unveiling. “This isn’t just about changing a street sign,” he said. “This is about acknowledging our presence on these lands since time immemorial and creating visibility for our language and culture in the modern urban environment.”
The City of Vancouver initiated the renaming process in 2021, working closely with Musqueam leadership to select an appropriate name that honors the Nation’s deep connection to the land. The process included extensive consultation with residents and business owners along the former Trutch Street, with the city providing support for address changes and updated documentation.
This street renaming aligns with broader reconciliation efforts across Canada following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. Similar initiatives have been undertaken in Victoria, where Trutch Street was renamed to Su’it Street in 2022, and across numerous Canadian institutions working to remove colonial figures associated with harmful policies toward Indigenous peoples.
For longtime residents like Martha Chambers, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years, the change represents an important evolution. “I’ve learned so much about the history of this land through this process,” she said. “It feels right to acknowledge the true stewards of this place and to learn to pronounce a name that carries such meaning.”
The city has installed educational placards along the newly named street to help residents and visitors understand the significance of šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm and learn about Musqueam history and culture.
As Vancouver continues to grapple with its colonial past while building a more inclusive future, this renaming raises an essential question for cities across Canada: How can urban spaces better reflect and honor Indigenous presence, not just as historical acknowledgment but as recognition of living cultures that continue to shape our shared landscapes?
