Moricetown is now officially recognized as Witset by the band council after a unanimous vote to bring back the traditional Witsuwit’en name.
Father Morice came to the village in the 1800s and changed the community’s name to ‘Moricetown.’
“Father Morice never asked the permission of the chiefs or the community members to name the community after himself,” says Band Chief Victor Jim.
“He was the main culprit that convinced some of the chiefs in Hagwilget to burn their regalia…that can never be forgiven.”
Band Manager Lucy Gagnon said in a release today that an official Band Council Resolution (BCR) will be sent to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for approval.
She says once that happens, the village can begin changing overall signage.
Jim says the entrance signs in the community will have Witset in large letters and Moricetown in small letters.
“Until people get used to it and then Moricetown will disappear altogether,” says Jim.
“INAC works at a snail’s pace. But at least in council’s eyes, the name is officially Witset instead of Moricetown.”
In a release today, the band says: “the Witsuwit’en have been on a journey to self-determination, reasserting their sovereignty of this land; as part of that journey, they are regaining control of their identity.”
The word ‘Witset’ means “the people of the first village’, according to the band.
Changing the names of the Bulkley River and Bulkley Lake back to their traditional Witsuwit’en names is also a priority of council.
The band says Father Morice was also responsible for changing the name of the Widzin Kwa River to the Bulkley River.
Before council makes their case to INAC on changing those names, Jim says he will be consulting with hereditary chiefs at the Office of the Wet’suwet’en on how to move forward.
He says that will help them figure out what the proper Witsuwit’en names are for the Bulkley River and lake.