| Feature Type: | Community - An unincorporated populated place, generally with a population of 50 or more, and having a recognized central area that might contain a post office, store and/or community hall, etc, intended for the use of the general public in the region. |
| Status: | Official |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | SE coast of Graham Island, E of Village of Queen Charlotte, Queen Charlotte Land District |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 53°15'58"N, 131°59'31"W at the approximate population centre of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 103G/5 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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Skidegate Mission (Village) adopted 14 June 1946 on 103SE. From of name changed to Skidegate Mission (Settlement) in the 1953 Gazetteer. Form of name changed to Skidegate Mission (Community) 15 September 1983 on 103G/5. Name changed to Skidegate (Community) 31 March 1992 by BC, and submitted to CPCGN for dual approval. Department of Indian and Northern Affairs approved the name change 18 November 1998. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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Jim Kirk, representing the United Church of Canada, requested that "Mission" be removed from the official name to reflect the preferred local usage and to reflect the church's role as a participating member of the community rather than missionary to the residents. A letter of confirmation from the Skidegate Band Council dated 30 March 1992 requested that all references to the community and reserve be changed, to remove the word "Mission" (file S.3.59). Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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Skidegate (community) is about 3km east of Skidegate Landing. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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Skidegate is a Haida word meaning "red paint stone". Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |