Red Indian Lake to be renamed
A more respectful name to be in place for the return of the remains of Nonosabasut and Demasduit
A vast body of fresh water in the interior of Newfoundland that lay at the feet of Beothuk who lived along its shores was not only a source of food and water, but an area of peace and great meaning, particularly with the encroachment of European setters into their territory.
Because of the way Europeans who encountered the Beothuk described them, the body of water became known as Red Indian Lake.
Many people now, including the province's Indigenous peoples, say it's a name that is disrespectful of the Beothuk and their place in the province's history.
The provincial government, through consultations with Indigenous leaders in the province, this week introduced a motion in the House of Assembly to commence the renaming process.
The expected new name of Red Indian Lake, suggested by Chief Mi'sel Joe of Miawpukek First Nation, will be Wantaqo'ti Qospem meaning “Peaceful Lake.”
The move is seen as a key step in the repatriation of the remains of two Beothuk — Nonosabasut and Demasduit — that were taken from their burial hut at Red Indian Lake in the 1820s and transferred to the University of Edinburgh.
Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Lisa Dempster on Wednesday called introducing the motion a “proud day.” She said it is important that names and monuments around the province reflect the Indigenous people who were here before Europeans.
Dempster said the government is continuing to build on its relationship with Indigenous leaders around the province, and discussions are ongoing about how to return Nonosabasut and Demasduit to their final resting place.
“There's some dialogue happening between myself, the premier and Indigenous leaders,” she said. “What is now Red Indian Lake may very well be their final resting place.”
Premier Andrew Furey said it is well-known that the province's Indigenous history is not reflected in some of the place names, and renaming Red Indian Lake will be an an important symbol in the path of reconciliation. That could lead to other names or monuments being changed to reflect Indigenous history, he said.
“I think it is appropriate at this moment in time that we do our best to change it, not just for change itself, but for education of the public on our Indigenous histories and that this is a part of changing some of the systemic issues that exist, so that the public can be educated, use those names, be familiar with those names,” Furey said.
“It is also a step toward repatriating the Beothuk remains which, with consensus among Indigenous leaders that it should be that particular area, which is where they were taken from. (Renaming) is an important step in that journey and I'm quite happy to be walking that road with the minister and all the Indigenous leaders.”
The remains of Nonosabasut and Demasduit were transported from Scotland to Newfoundland and Labrador in March 2020, where they remain in the care of The
Rooms. The transfer was arranged with National Museums Scotland by the federal Department of Canadian Heritage.
A news release at the time said the repatriation of the remains represented a significant achievement in the long-running effort to return the Beothuk remains to the province. Saqamaw Mi'sel Joe of Miawpukek First Nation advocated for the return of the remains in 2015 and called on the co-operation of National Museums Scotland and the provincial government, with the support of the Nunatsiavut Government, Innu Nation, Qalipu First Nation and Nunatukavut Community Council.
“The voluntary repatriation of our brother, Nonosabasut, and our sister, Demasduit, has not only given Indigenous people closure, it has also given the people of our province closure,” Mi'sel Joe said at the time. “It signifies the end of exile for our Beothuk ancestors, who will finally receive the respect and honour they deserve by being returned home, and home is where their story began.”
The death of Shanawdithit in 1829 marked the end of the Beothuk as a people and a culture in the province. It was because of information and drawings from Shanawdithit, however, that the story of Nonosabasut and Demasduit is known. Nonosabasut was killed on Red Indian Lake in 1819, while trying to stop settlers from kidnapping Demasduit, his wife. Demasduit died of tuberculosis the following year.
The number of Beothuk people continued to dwindle as the number of European settlers increased on the island. They died from starvation, illness (particularly tuberculosis brought in by Europeans) and attacks by British settlers.