The Salish Sea was officially designated Thursday at a ceremony in Victoria.
The name, endorsed by both Canada and the U.S., will now apply as an umbrella term encompassing the southern part of the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
None of the existing names of those waterways will change as a result of Thursday’s ceremony.
“Coast Salish peoples have traversed these waters for thousands of years and this name pays homage to our collective history,” said Lt.-Gov. Steven Point, who is of First Nations descent.
He added that the name change represents a step in the bridge of reconciliation with B.C. aboriginal peoples.
Point and KwaGulth Hereditary Chief Tony Hunt also presented a hand-crafted canoe to the Canadian navy in honour of the organization’s centennial.
