Geographic Names Program

Geographic Naming is the legislated process by which a name for a geographic feature is approved for use on government maps and within government publications. However, these names are more than labels on a map or the words on a road sign; they reflect the culture and heritage of the province and its people. Daily, these names convey the traditions of the Indigenous people who originally occupied this land, the stories of those who have come since, and the connections between us and the land. Some names serve to honour the ultimate sacrifice made by those in the service of the province and nation.

Anyone can submit a nomination to name a geographic feature. The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation reviews nominations and recommends approval.

First, review the Policy for Naming Geographic Features in Saskatchewan, then simply download and fill out this Nomination Form for Naming a Geographic Feature. Once completed, forward your application and supporting documents to historicplace@gov.sk.ca.

Before filling out the nomination form, please review the following information:

• Nominators are encouraged to read the Policy for Naming Geographic Features in Saskatchewan prior to filling out the nomination form. This policy provides information about what format and type of names are allowed and how names are approved.
• Ensure there is support in the community for your proposed name. Nominations that do not provide evidence of community support are unlikely to be approved.
• Provide as much detail as possible about the history of the proposed name or the individual who would be honoured by having a geographic feature named in their honour. Information about the historical use of a name and the significance of an individual to be commemorated to the area, province or nation is critical to determining if the proposed name is appropriate.
• Include information about other names that are, or have been, used for a particular geographic feature, if any, including traditional Indigenous names. The existence of other names does not mean a nomination for a new name will not be considered, but knowing the history of the other names is important to determining if the proposed name is appropriate.
• Saskatchewan recently adopted a new policy that allows for geographic names to be approved in two formats:
  • A Single Name, where it has been determined that there is only one name that is appropriate for a feature; or
  • An Approved Name Phrase, where it is determined that there is more than one appropriate name. In an Approved Name Phrase, these names will be combined to form a name phrase, such as "Daniel Green/Russell Creek Reservoir," or "Indigenous name/non-Indigenous name." An Approved Name Phrase can be created by combining an existing name and a newly approved name, or by combining newly approved names.
• If you have questions about the completing the nomination form, the geographic naming policy or anything else related to geographic names in Saskatchewan, please contact us at historicplace@gov.sk.ca or 306-787-2817.