On Thursday, Aug. 27, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” The order follows contentious trade negotiations with Canada.

However, the Lake Ontario name is more than 400 years old and predates both Canada and the United States. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great Lakes and forms part of the international border between New York and Ontario, Canada.

“As Chief of the Wyandotte Nation, I take offense at any effort to change the name of Lake Ontario,” said Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend. “Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, meaning ‘the lake is beautiful’ or ‘the lake is big.’

“The Wendat are part of the same Huron-Wendat people whose descendants became known as the Wyandot or Wyandotte. Our Nation carries that history and connection today.”

The Executive Order requires U.S. federal agencies to use “Lake America” on official maps, contracts and other documents. The change only applies to the U.S. government. Canadian officials have already said they will not recognize the name.

“Lake Ontario is part of our Indigenous history. It should be respected and preserved,” Chief Friend said. “Then, now and always, it is Lake Ontario.”