Indigenous Leaders Oppose Lake Ontario Name Change
Indigenous leaders have joined the growing opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order directing American federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” arguing that the decision ignores the lake’s long Indigenous history and cultural significance.
The Lake Ontario name change has drawn criticism from the Wendat Nation, the Seneca Nation, Canadian political leaders and officials in communities located along the Great Lakes.
Wendat Nation Grand Chief Pierre Picard said his nation was shocked by the decision and argued that replacing the Lake Ontario name disregards centuries of Indigenous history connected to the region.
The name Ontario has Indigenous origins and is commonly traced to the Wendat word “Ontarí.” Various historical and linguistic sources have translated the term as “beautiful lake,” “great lake” or a closely related meaning.
The Indigenous-derived name existed long before Canadian Confederation in 1867 and before the establishment of the United States in 1776, making it an important part of the historical identity of the Great Lakes region.
Picard said he has requested a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra to discuss the Wendat Nation’s concerns and explain the cultural importance of maintaining the Lake Ontario name.
The Indigenous response adds another dimension to opposition already expressed by Canadian political leaders.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canadians will continue referring to the body of water as Lake Ontario, emphasizing that the existing name reflects Indigenous history and Canada’s connection to the Great Lakes.
Opposition to the Lake Ontario name change has also emerged within the United States.
Rochester City Council, representing the largest U.S. city located on Lake Ontario, adopted a proclamation stating that the municipality will continue using Lake Ontario in its official local references.
The Seneca Nation has also called for Trump’s order to be reversed, arguing that replacing the historic name disregards Indigenous cultural connections and the generations of Indigenous peoples who have lived around and travelled throughout the Great Lakes region.
Trump’s Aug. 27 executive order directs U.S. federal departments and agencies to adopt “Lake America” when referring to Lake Ontario. It also instructs the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Board on Geographic Names to update federal geographic records accordingly.
However, the order applies specifically to U.S. federal government usage.
It does not require Canada, the Province of Ontario, Canadian municipalities, Indigenous governments, international organizations or local governments in the United States to stop using the Lake Ontario name.
As opposition continues, the debate over the Lake Ontario name change is increasingly focusing on Indigenous history, cultural identity and the longstanding significance of one of North America’s five Great Lakes.
