The city of Dallas is taking significant steps to honor the historical roots of Texas’ Native American tribes by renaming three man-made lakes situated along the Trinity River basin in West Dallas.
In a unanimous vote on Wednesday, the Dallas City Council approved a resolution to rename these lakes, collectively known as the Three Sisters Lakes, after three tribes significant to North Texas history.
Rachel Salinas, an enrolled member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, expressed her appreciation to the council during the meeting.
She stated, “Our contributions are part of Texas history. By naming the lakes after three historic tribes with ties to North Texas, you are not only recognizing our heritage, but you are also bringing visibility to the Native community of Dallas and North Texas.”
The lakes will now carry names rooted in Native languages, with NʉmʉNahmi Lake (Comanche Nahmi Lake), Wichita ita:iʔh (pronounced ee-DAH-tsee) Lake, and Lipan Apache Mbátí Lake.
These lakes not only serve a vital role in flood control for the area but are also intended for recreational use along the Trinity River.
Salinas, who played a role on the naming committee, highlighted the long-standing presence her tribe has had in the region.
She noted, “Our ancestors hunted, traded, and traveled throughout what is now Dallas long before the city was established. The Trinity River and surrounding areas were part of our seasonal movements and trade routes. We have lived under all six flags of Texas and have fought alongside Texans in defense of this land.”
In light of these changes, a spokesperson for the Comanche Nation commented on the honor of having a lake named after their tribe, though they indicated that they were not consulted in the renaming process.
Attempts to reach representatives of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes for comments were unsuccessful as they did not respond to inquiries.
Jodi Voice Yellowfish, a local advocate for the Native American community and an individual with ties to various tribes, sees the resolution as a positive move toward acknowledging the city’s Indigenous history.
She explained that this history includes Dallas’s role in the Indian Relocation Act of 1956, which encouraged Native Americans to migrate from reservations to urban areas.
“Being a product of this program, I’m the first generation to be born here to set down roots and start my family here. I don’t know calling ‘home’ my ancestral homelands. I know calling ‘home’ Dallas,” Voice Yellowfish said.
She hopes that such recognition will prevent the city from hiding its Indigenous history, a concern she feels has been prevalent.
Despite the unanimous approval from the council, District 12 council member Cara Mendelsohn voiced concerns regarding the practicality of naming the lakes using Native language terms.
Mendelsohn remarked, “I’m concerned that we will have a wayfinding and an emergency service response issue because these are not English words and so I’m wondering what will signage say specifically.”
Dallas Water Utilities director Sarah Standifer assured the council that the details regarding signage would be worked out as city leaders make policy decisions.
The initiative to name the lakes follows a resolution passed in 2019 that recognized Indigenous People’s Day in Dallas.
Omar Narvaez, the former chair of the city’s Transportation and Infrastructure committee, was instrumental in proposing the resolution and stated, “The most important part is for the Native American community, that they know that this council continues to do what it said it would, which was to uplift them and remember and honor them as we move forward.”
The new names for the Three Sisters Lakes will take effect immediately.
image source from：keranews
