A new initiative called “Duck Lake Forever” has been launched to safeguard the historical name of a town following a proposal by the mayor to sell its naming rights. The town, situated approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon and home to around 580 residents, is renowned for its origins linked to the First Nations term “See Seep SaKayegan,” denoting the abundance of migratory ducks in the area during spring and fall.
The town gained prominence due to its pivotal role in the 1885 Battle of Duck Lake, a significant event during the Northwest Resistance led by Louis Riel. Adam Carriere, a local resident, and his partner established Duck Lake Forever as a response to the naming rights sale proposition. Their efforts have garnered substantial support, with an online petition attracting hundreds of signatures by Monday.
The petition emphasizes that altering the town’s name would eradicate a part of Duck Lake’s Métis legacy and cultural identity, underlining the significance of preserving the town’s historical heritage for future generations. Carriere expressed concerns regarding potential repercussions of a deal with a private entity, highlighting the financial burden that residents might bear for signage replacement and rebranding if promises are not upheld.
Plans are underway to elevate the campaign to the council and advocate for a community referendum. Duck Lake’s mayor, Jason Anderson, defended the naming rights sale as a means to generate revenue for essential infrastructure repairs, assuring that any name alteration would be subject to resident approval through a referendum.
Former Duck Lake mayor Denis Poirier, who served the town for over five decades, echoed support for the preservation of the town’s name, citing the extensive administrative challenges and costs associated with a name change. Despite acknowledging the town’s innovative approach, marketing expert Marvin Ryder questioned the practicality of selling a town’s name, suggesting alternative strategies for supporting smaller communities’ infrastructure needs.
