By Hannah Mallonee · Contributing Writer
After over 300 years of the famous name of Lake Ontario, this Canadian American lake was renamed to Lake America last August in an executive order by President Donald Trump. The name Ontario was first used to name the lake because of the indigenous people who lived near the basin of the body of water.
President Trump’s infamous decision to rename the lake to Lake America is analogous to his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. While I appreciate the president’s love for America, I question whether this change is necessary. History is important, and while rewriting it can be for the better, in this scenario, it may be the opposite.
The meaning of the word Ontario is “lake of shining waters.” Another meaning of the word is “great lake.” The name fits perfectly with what the body of water is, but President Trump renamed the lake because of his trade war with Canada.
The name with over 300 years of history between two countries should not change because of a trade war. Even though the president renamed it officially, Canada announced that it would still be calling it Lake Ontario, and I also believe many Americans will.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is declining the name change, saying, “Long before President Trump, this lake was called Lake Ontario. Long after President Trump is gone, it will still be called Lake Ontario.” It is interesting and uplifting to see that the love for this lake has not diminished and will stay firm when this matter of the renaming is at hand.
There’s a lot of history behind Lake Ontario, so to just throw it away because of a new name hurts me and my fellow Americans and Canadians. Lake Ontario was a homeland for indigenous people. The famous lake was also a trade route and was opened for global shipping to connect to the Atlantic Ocean.
The world knows about the significance of all five of the Great Lakes: Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Superior, so the renaming of one of them won’t let the American love for these monumental landmarks dwindle. Although its original name is gone, the memories and history of Lake Ontario shall remain forever, no matter the name.
