Kitwanga Fort was designated a national historic site in 1971 on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. A plaque was erected in 1992. Kitwanga Fort National Historic Site (and the French form, lieu historique national du Fort-Kitwanga) are identified in "Canada's Geographical Names Approved in English and in French," published in August 1994 by the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names, August 1994. Name subsequently expanded to Kitwanga Fort National Historic Site of Canada (and Lieu historique national du Canada du Fort-Kitwanga). In March 2006, the NHS Board recommended that the name of the designation be changed to Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site of Canada (and Lieu historique national du Canada de la Colline-Battle Hill-des-Gitwangaks), at the request of the Gitwangak Band Council. The new name reflects the correct Gitksan spelling of the name of the First Nation who built the original fortress in the 18th century. Furthermore, the term "fort" implies a Western-style structure. "Battle Hill" is more appropriate because it reflects the name of the hill and conveys to the public a true sense of the site. (information supplied to Geographical Names Board of Canada by Parks Canada on behalf of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada)

Source: included with note