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LETTER: B.C.’s best lake needs a name change to reflect Nuu-chah-nulth roots

Writer suggests ‘Sproat Lake’ is boring, not representative
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Deanna Little in a kayak and Camryn Blake on a paddle board enjoy a paddle on Sproat Lake during a record-breaking hot Mother’s Day 2023 weekend in Port Alberni. (SONJA DRINKWATER/ Special to the AV News)

To the Editor,

Re: Sproat Lake voted best lake in B.C., Aug. 16, 2023

When reading your paper, I came across the article by Elena Rardon on Sproat Lake. The article goes on to say that the name of the lake was renamed in 1864 from the Nuu-chah-nulth name of “Kleecoot” (meaning “wide open”) to its current name – after a minor government agent called Gilbert Sproat.

I have often thought what a boring and common name Sproat is for such a beautiful lake.

I propose some energetic resident of the area start a petition to change the name of B.C.’s best lake back to its original name, Kleecoot.

Anyone agree?

Ken Henderson,

Port Alberni

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