Becky Mason has thoughtfully updated Che-Mun readers on the evolving tale regarding the naming of a geographical feature on part of the Dog River system after her father Bill Mason. We have included Becky's letter to the MNR and their response from different, unnamed, individuals.



"At first it seemed that the waterway park was to be named the Bill Mason Waterway Park. Town council was in agreement, MNR okayed the idea informally and I got a few letters from the general public and heads of organizations endorsing the idea. To cover all the bases I phoned Bernie Erechook, Band Manager of Michipicoten First Nation's to see if they agreed with the plans. "Bernie said the Michipicoten First Nation is now strongly against the naming of the Bill Mason Waterway Park. The Mason family does not want to be against the First Nations (or anybody elses) wishes and I told them that.

"Michipicoten First Nation had meetings with the MNR and told them they wanted the park named the Nimoosh Waterway Park instead of the Bill Mason Waterway Park. I think it is a fine idea to use an original name.

"First Nation's gathered some research that supports the idea that a French party of explorers around the 16 century that the Dog River was called the Nimoosh. (Apparently Nimoosh in Ojbiway means Dog in English)

"First Nation's has decided they want the Dog River renamed to the original name "Nimoosh" and wants the Waterway Park named Nimoosh Waterway Park. (That sounds very reasonable to me.)

"The band also wants Denison Falls to be renamed to Bill Mason Falls. I told them I wouldn't support the idea if local residents express their dislike to it. Bernie Erechook is contacting local government people to ask him if they'd give the First Nations support so Denison Falls can be changed to the Bill Mason Falls."



ANSWERS FROM GOVERNMENT SOURCES:

"As you know, hydro development has been ruled out, and other industrial activities are not permitted in a Park. The exception is mining and the flexible approach outlined in Ontario's Living Legacy (controlled exploration in designated high mineral potential areas only) There is not much to update on this front. The provincially significant mineral potential areas have not yet been identified, and the controls for exploration within them are not yet in place.

"Tourism development will be determined in the Park Management Planning Process. I honestly can't speculate on what (if any) tourism developments will be approved, but I will speculate that protection of the environment will be a bigger factor than tourism in modifying mineral exploration

"As far as the name is concerned, we will be recommending to Ontario Parks that the name of the proposed park be Nimoosh Provincial Park. Currently, we are looking at regulation of the park (it's at this point the name change would kick in) in the fall of this year. This name will recognize the First Nation People's long history in the area, and also the Dog River name. The name is supported by local residents who have opinions in these type of matters, Michipicoten First Nation, and ourselves locally.

"As far as the name of the falls themselves are concerned, the Surveyor General's office is responsible for preparing recommendations for the Geographic Names Board for the naming of physical features. They undertook consultation earlier this year on a proposal to change the name from Denison Falls to Bill Mason Falls. I know that they received some negative feedback from one local resident and I was informed that the request had been withdrawn.

"I have not seen anything from the Surveyor General's office on the renaming of the Dog River to the Nimoosh River. I expect that there will be vehement opposition locally. The name of the Dog River was officially put in place by the names board in the 1980's due to the efforts of one local resident and I am sure he will not take another name change lightly!

"Following the regulation of the new park, a Park Management Plan and operating plan will have to be developed. We have committed to Michipicoten First Nation that they will be involved in the development of these plans and that we are open to discussions of their having a role in the operation of the park. I would suggest that through these plans we could identify the Bill Mason Canoe Route (which would have a portage around Denison Falls) on the Dog River in Nimoosh Provincial Park."



This article first appeared in Che-Mun Outfit 104 in 2001.