If you were mayor of Duck Lake, Sask…

Hello Flatlanders,

A few weeks ago, I asked Flatlander readers what they thought about Duck Lake, Sask., possibly selling its name to a corporate sponsor.

The result wasn’t even close. Most said a town’s identity isn’t something you put a price on.

Ashley wrote:

“Duck Lake has a lot  of history behind its name. There will be another up rising if the mayor does not drop this subject as that community has a lot of Métis that are very proud of their  heritage & will be very angry at a name change. The fact that the mayor & council came up with this idea without putting it to a plebiscite is showing no vision. Money will always be an issue in towns but this is not the way to create it.”

Katherine wrote:

“They need to keep the name DUCK LAKE.” 

Patricia from Prince Albert wrote:

“Duck Lake will always be that. Money isn’t the be-all.

No to changing the name.” 

Carol wrote:

“NOWADAYS PEOPLE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY!! RIDICULOUS”

Cyler wrote:

“This is a horrible idea. It’s bad enough that the corporations already have so much control over things and can seem to do whatever they want.  This could lead to not own ring your own property, risky things like a corporation as your homeowners association.  That’s truly scary, they hold a standard for their businesses and that might carry over into the town and while the infrastructure may get upgraded you might know have to upgrade your home at your own expense anyway.”  

That’s an interesting point. Could a corporate sponsor start setting ground rules for residents, like requiring everyone to paint their fence in the company colours? Your siding now comes in Brand Blue or Brand Blue (Matte).

One reader, Daniel from Regina, was more open to the idea of corporate sponsorship:

“I think a community should be able to sell their naming rights but only after a referendum of the citizens of the community. Plus for this referendum everyone who is a resident of that community should be able to vote regardless of their age. Because it is younger residents who are going to have to live most of their lives with the decision so they should have a say in deciding if they want to grow up in ‘Duck Lake’ or ‘McDonalds Duck Lake’.”

I’ve lived in small towns before, and when a mayor does something unpopular, there’s no escaping it. Folks will march right up to the mayor trying to watch the local hockey game, mid-period, hot dog in hand, just to share their thoughts. All of them.

But Duck Lake’s Mayor Jason Anderson isn’t backing down. He’s giving potential sponsors until the end of March to make an offer. And if no one does? Well, he points out that at least Duck Lake got a whole lot of publicity out of the idea. “See story Duck Lake mayor responds to critics of plan to sell naming rights“

Whatever happens next in Duck Lake, it’s clear that Prairie residents care deeply about their history, identity, and sense of place.

Your responses show how much people care about these places we call home. Thank you for reading, for writing in, and for being part of this little Prairie community we’re building together.