When U. S. President Donald Trump announced the change of Lake Ontario’s name to Lake America through an executive order, it sparked a major backlash over Canadian sovereignty.
To show his disapproval, Ontario Premier Doug Ford quickly put up a large sign saying “Lake Ontario now and always” in a lakeside town.
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society stated that it would not accept the presidential decree. In their maps and publications, Lake Ontario will keep its historical name.
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Visitors at Fifty Point Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ont., will now see a large blue sign reminding them of the lake’s Canadian name. Premier Doug Ford, right, revealed it in August alongside Sam Oosterhoff, left. Keito Newman/The Canadian Press
However, in the United States, Google and Apple quickly changed the lake’s historic name-believed to come from the Iroquoian words Kaniatarí: io or Oniatarí: io meaning “beautiful lake”-to Lake America on their maps. This change aligned with an official name update from the U. S. Geographic Names Information System, which is the federal government’s official database.
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On this computer screen in St. Louis, Google Maps refers to it as ‘Lake America’; users located in Canada will still see ‘Lake Ontario.’Jeff Roberson/The Associated Press
The Oval Office order issued on Aug. 27 mandated U. S. government agencies to revise federal documents within 30 days, and they acted quickly.
The U. S. Geological Survey even retroactively modified references to Lake Ontario on its website; a 2016 image of researchers on a small boat examining insects now appears under the heading “Invertebrate sampling in Lake America.”
Since the Canada-U. S. border runs through the middle of the lake, Trump’s unexpected decree has created challenges for map makers both in Canada and globally. Should they disregard Mr. Trump’s directive or compromise by designating it as Lake America south of the border and Lake Ontario north of it?
Alex Kent, vice-president of the International Cartographic Association, mentioned there are many instances worldwide where names conflict. There are no binding international rules governing how such naming disputes should be settled.
While maintaining neutrality, the United Nations has been working for decades to establish guidelines for countries to organize naming processes.
The UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names plans an international symposium discussing cultural significance attached to names in Austria this October. Although Lake Ontario won’t officially be part of their agenda, any attending member country-including Canada-can bring up related concerns.
‘I’m a Canadian map maker, so I would put Lake Ontario,’ Jeff Clark says when asked what he’d do if he were hired to map the Great Lakes. Justine Beaulieu-Poudrier/
Meanwhile, discussions about how best to handle this naming dispute persist among cartographers across Canada.
One person considering this issue is Jeff Clark, an award-winning cartographer based in Vancouver. He’s created reference maps for areas like Salish Sea and Okanagan Valley and believes he’d follow “best practice” if tasked with mapping out the Great Lakes.
“I’m a Canadian map maker, so I would put Lake Ontario. It predates everything by 400 years,” he stated.
However, it’s more complicated than simply looking at Canada’s official naming database since two countries share jurisdiction over this lake-the U. S. has its own database which now lists it as Lake America.
The Ontario Geographic Names Board oversees approximately 220,000 names within its province and must approve any proposed changes after following proper procedures-yet it hasn’t altered Lake Ontario’s well-established name.
The board handles various requests; recently they’ve been assessing one from Selwyn Township seeking to rename Prince Andrew Island-a small island situated on Otonabee River-which runs near where Prince Andrew attended school for six months when he was younger.
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Globe makers need t o be aware that country names an d boundaries can shift , while some nations contest geographic terms agreed upon b y others. ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images p >
Peter Bellerby from bespoke globe maker Bellerby & Co said th e dispute regarding La k e On ta rio is just one among many challenging issues cartographers face.
Some globe makers have had their creations confiscated by customs officials due totheir portrayal o f Taiwan as independent territory , something China disputes vehemently given that Taiwan is viewed by Beijing as breakaway province.
In India , cartographers risk jail time under laws prohibiting depictions portraying Jammu an d Kashmir differently than Indian claims permit. Since ’47 these regions have b een contentious between India & Pakistan. Last month , tensions surged at UN when members voted favorably towards depicting Africa accurately ; however New Delhi protested against inaccuracies concerning Jammu/Kashmir depiction contradicting India’s designated representation.
India previously granted Kashmir autonomous status but revoked i T i N ’19. August fifth marked anniversary leading protests across region thi S summer. Channi Anand/The Associated Press
Conflicts over Jammu/Kashmir have persisted long-standing. These demonstrators protested against labeling used during state-run broadcasts back i N ’98. Muzammil Pasha/Reuters
India & Pakistan play political theater daily concerning border conflicts demonstrated here at Wagah crossing just south o F Jammu/Kashmir. Narinder Nanu/AFP via Getty Images
Mr. Bellerby emphasized navigating around such conflicts requires careful consideration by mapmakers; nevertheless when addressing La ke On ta rio h e asserts his globes crafted fo r clients globally will continue referring ito traditionally recognized title; asserting Trump “can call it whatever he wants”.
“He can’t ju st go around renaming international waterways,” he noted during interview adding outside USA everywhere remains clearly marked as L ake On ta rio; while discussing options with American clients we may suggest putting L ake A merica within brackets or vice versa.” Employing brackets helps denote alternative titles known as exonyms providing manageable solutions amidst geographical controversies.
Mr. Bellerby mentioned crafting globes entails months’ work requiring hand-painting thus staying informed about ongoing name alterations along disputed borders poses challenges too difficult sometimes.“A globe serves not only purposefully but also acts historically showcasing world history at given moments”, hestated.
Cartographers constantly strive keeping updated with changes relating identification shifts while also determining how best represent contested territories numerous exist globally ; Iran finds fault having Israel displayed maps according MR. bellerby remarks also Russia lays claim Ukrainian land taken forcefully post invasion actions conducted against neighboring states.
The UNGEGN continues updating lengthy detailed Manual focusing National Standardization Procedures regarding geographical terminologies. Current edition compiled back ’06 saw input from Helen Kerfoot based Ottawa aiding development policies surrounding place names here.
This manual recommends proposals consider existing practices historical context aiming avoid multiple identifiers same features unnecessary modifications.
Ms. Kerfoot once chaired during latest compilation emphasized significant social relevance attributed geographical identifiers representing invaluable cultural values affecting individual senses belonging well-being overall Open this photoin gallery: Open this photoin gallery:
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