President Donald Trump signed a decree on Thursday aimed at renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” According to reports, the directive orders all branches of the federal government to adopt the new designation.
Origins of the Name and Indigenous Reaction
The Wendats historically occupied the region stretching from the St. Lawrence Valley to the Great Lakes, a territory rich in trade routes both before and after European contact. Grand Chief Picard noted that this name predates the foundations of both Canada and the United States. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra to voice deep discontent over the decree.
Did You Know? Grand Chief Pierre Picard pointed out that a silver lining of the presidential decree is that many Canadians now know the true origin of the name “Lake Ontario” stems from the Wendat people rather than the province.
Cartography Resistance and Political Satire
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the origin of the name on Thursday, emphasizing that the body of water would remain known as Lake Ontario “yesterday, today, and forever.” Grand Chief Picard stated that Prime Minister Carney assured him Canada would not adopt the unilateral renaming. Furthermore, American mapping company MapQuest announced via social media on Thursday that it would not change the name on its maps, instead directing users to a page where they could propose alternative titles.
The presidential decree also drew sharp derision from other political figures. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, posted a video on X showing himself signing a McDonald’s paper napkin to officially declare Lake Michigan renamed as “Lake Wisconsin.” Meanwhile, the city council of Rochester, New York—the largest American city along the lake’s shores—unanimously adopted a proclamation on Friday condemning the move as a desperate media stunt meant to distract from pressing domestic and foreign issues.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The Lake Ontario decree follows a similar executive action taken in 2025 in which President Trump signed a decree to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” while also suggesting potential future renamings for the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Mohawk political analyst Russ Diabo condemned the Lake Ontario change as “totally stupide” and characteristic of racism toward Indigenous peoples.
Looking ahead, several developments could unfold as the dispute over the lake’s name continues. Grand Chief Picard’s scheduled meeting with Ambassador Pete Hoekstra next week could provide a formal diplomatic channel for Indigenous leaders to register their opposition directly to U.S. representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name Lake Ontario come from?
The name comes from the Wendat word Ontari:io, which translates to mean that the lake is big and beautiful.
What actions did MapQuest take regarding the renaming?
The American mapping company stated that it would not change the name of Lake Ontario on its maps.
Who else has criticized President Trump’s decree?
Critics include Wendat Grand Chief Pierre Picard, Mohawk political analyst Russ Diabo, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and the city council of Rochester, New York.
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