Rename Lake Calhoun To Bde Maka Ska: Minneapolis Park Board

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — After at least 197 years, the name of a popular Minneapolis lake could be removed. On Wednesday, Minneapolis park officials unanimously voted to change Lake Calhoun, named after John C. Calhoun, a vice president in 1825 and supporter of slavery, to Bde Maka Ska, the lake's original Dakota name.

Bde Maka Ska translates to "White Earth Lake." In 2015, Minneapolis Park Board's (MPRB) legal counsel determined it does not have the authority to change the name of a lake on its own.

Instead, the MPRB is advocating for the name restoration in “all appropriate fora (forums) including the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).” If approved by both agencies, the DNR submits the proposed name change to the United States Board on Geographic Names for final approval.

The names of Calhoun Parkway, East Calhoun Parkway and West Calhoun Parkway will not change in the interest of public safety, according to a news release.

Bde Maka Ska Facts

• Pronounced “b-day ma-kha skah” according to the Dakota Language Society
• Translates to “White Earth Lake” in Dakota

MPRB Commissioner’s support for officially changing the name from Lake Calhoun to Bde Maka Ska follows its Sept. 2, 2015 resolution to modify each of the seven Lake Calhoun park entry signs to include the name “Bde Maka Ska” to honor the Dakota people and educate the public about its Dakota name. The signs were updated Oct. 1, 2015.

The move to change the name won’t take effect without approval from county, state and federal officials, the Star Tribune reported.

Image via Google Streetview