Quebec Council is changing the name of our camp on Lac Bouchette in Morin-Heights to be a starting point for conversation surrounding land recognition, reconciliation, and a step in ensuring that Girl Guide spaces are welcoming to all girls, women, Two-Spirit people.
As part of GGC’s journey of reconciliation, the Apology to Indigenous Peoples by Girl Guides of Canada was released in 2021.
On July 13, 2021, the Quebec Council laid out a series of concrete actions to create dialogue and take steps towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples on these lands. Among these actions was the decision to rename our camp and camp sites, ensuring they carry non-Indigenous names.
We remain committed to reconciliation and continuing to listen to Indigenous girls, women, and Two-Spirit people. Changing this camp name is one concrete action we are taking, as we are working to ensure that Girl Guides spaces are welcoming to all girls, women, and Two-Spirit people. We have a responsibility of reconciliation, as a part of GGC, while honouring Indigenous nations, communities and the unceded territories (lands and waters) that we share.
Girl Guide members in Quebec were invited to select the new name from three shortlisted names:
While the name has changed, we are committed to preserving the cherished memories from camp while creating countless more unforgettable moments in the years ahead.
The land on which our camp on Lac Bouchette stands is unceded and unsurrendered territory of many Indigenous nations including the Wa’ Kah Né:kaien. Camp Wa-Thik-Ane was founded in 1926 by the Québec Council of Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada. Since then, Québec Council at Girl Guides has lovingly maintained and nurtured this land that countless campers have enjoyed for nearly a century. We want this camp to be a place where all members feel welcome, while respecting the unceded land we are on and Indigenous nations who have and continue to live on.
Names and titles are used to represent and identify various communities. Representation and language are ways people feel included and acknowledged. Being accurately, respectfully represented, and accepted in your identities and communities is part of inclusion.
GGC is committed to reconciliation. We want to be a place where all members can say ‘I belong’. This includes using respectful and representative language in the land and shared spaces we use for campsites.
On each Monday as part of summer camp programming, our camp counselors deliver programming that covers the timeline of the history of the land on which our camp resides along with the almost 100 years of camping history.
Learning about camp history
Please email qc-committee1@guidescanada.ca if you have further questions.