A quiet street in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood now carries a name that reflects the deep history and enduring presence of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band). In an act of reconciliation and language revitalization, the City of Vancouver and Musqueam have officially unveiled šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street—the first in the city to bear a name in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Musqueam’s traditional language.

The hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking Musqueam have lived in the Fraser River estuary since time immemorial. Today, this Nation of more than 1,300 members maintains strong connections to their ancestral lands, which span what is now Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and New Westminster. 

According to a City news release, each intersection now features dual signage: the legal name, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street, and its English translation, Musqueamview Street. The renaming replaces Trutch Street, which previously honoured a colonial figure whose policies caused lasting harm to Indigenous communities.

Honouring Musqueam, removing Trutch

Joseph Trutch, B.C.’s first lieutenant governor, actively denied Indigenous land rights and dramatically reduced reserve lands during his time in office. Musqueam had long called for the removal of his name from public spaces.

“Renaming Trutch Street to šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street is a major milestone for our community,” said Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow. “Our language is an inherent part of who we are, and it was systematically and violently removed from us.”

Mayor Ken Sim emphasized that reconciliation must go beyond words: “We are… humbled to be part of revitalizing hən̓q̓əmin̓əm to be seen and spoken in these lands once again.”

Transit and signage updates

As of June 23, TransLink bus routes 2 and 33 will begin announcing šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street on board. Visual displays will show Musqueamview Street. New signage has also been added to the bus shelter at 16th Avenue and šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street.

Further installations are planned. An audio box and interpretive sign will be added near West Point Grey Road, and storytelling signs will be placed along the full 16-block stretch of the street.

hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ is a critically endangered language with no fluent speakers remaining. Incorporating it into street signage is a visible step toward revitalization and recognition.

While some systems already reflect the legal name, others may take time to update. In official records, maps, and databases, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street will be used where possible; Musqueamview Street will appear where character limitations apply.

A gifted name

In 2021, the City Council passed a motion to rename Trutch Street. On September 30, 2022, Musqueam gifted the new name to the City during a traditional renaming ceremony.

The change became official on June 17, 2025, following a unanimous vote to amend Vancouver’s Street Name By-law.

You can download the FirstVoices Keyboard to type in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and install First Nations Unicode to display hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ characters.

The renaming of šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street is a step toward honouring Musqueam’s past, present, and future on their ancestral lands.