“Obviously changing the name would definitely require some legal consequences,” said PEI Prime Minister Dennis King. “And obviously, if that were to happen, there would be a major marketing campaign to explain what it is and why it is.” Epekwitk is the traditional term in the Mi’kmaw language to describe PEI, meaning “something in the water”. Brad Manderville worked on the bridge in the 1990s. “I was a surveyor there, so I made sure to put the first pieces of the bridge in the water μαι I remember naming the competition first, so if they wanted to change it it would be a great idea.” “I stand behind the name change,” Manderville said. Twenty-six years ago, Ottawa bypassed the idea of naming it Epekwitk Crossing, opposing the committee that came up with it and favoring the second option, the Confederation Bridge. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Colin Curry. “I think we are much more informed about our past now than we used to be, and it is part of the conversation we have as a society now. So I fully support the name change.” “As non-native settlers, we are neighbors on this land. “Now we have to recognize that we have to make room for the history of the natives.” Some in New Brunswick drew parallels with the name of the St. John River. “I think it’s a really great idea,” said Susan Holt. “We have to take substantial steps towards reconciliation and I think recognizing the original name of the land really honors the Mi’kmaq people. I think here at Fredericton you have to take steps to do the same for the Wolastoq River.” An islander living in Fredericton said he would be happy to see the change. “I’m sure some people will not be very happy about it, but I would be happy to see it,” said Ryan Chiasson. “I have no real connection with the name Confederation Bridge.m from PEI, and everything is called ‘Confederation’, I think if we remove the name Confederation from one thing, it will be okay.” The United Nations has declared the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which will begin in 2022.
