Geographic names in Saskatchewan reflect the culture and heritage of the province and its people in a special way.  These geographic names stem from a variety of sources and embrace a time span from the earliest recorded history to the present. 

The GeoMemorial Program is a commemorative naming program adopted by the Saskatchewan Geographic Names Board.  The program honors the sacrifice of Saskatchewan citizens who have given their lives in service to our province and our country by naming natural features in their memory; a lasting way to honour that sacrifice.

In 1947, the federal government created a program to honour those who had sacrificed their lives for Canada during WW II.  The program named geographic locations and features after fallen servicemen.  Ottawa transferred the program to the provinces in 1960.

More than 6,000 casualties from Saskatchewan have a lake, island or bay named in their memory.  More than 3,900 of these features are found in Saskatchewan.  The rest are features named by Ottawa or other provinces or territories based on where the person signed up for active duty.  When the province took over the program, names were assigned based on having been born or raised in Saskatchewan rather than where enlistment took place.

Once the initial program was completed, the Saskatchewan Geographic Names Board extended the GeoMemorial Program to include casualties from the Merchant Navy and the Korean War.  Then, in 2006, the board revised the GeoMemorial Program to include:

• Armed Forces Personnel - including Army, Air Force and Navy regular and reserve members and Peacekeepers while on active duty on United Nations sanctioned missions;
• Police Officers and Emergency Responders - including, but not limited to, all federal, provincial and municipal enforcement officers, members of the Professional Firefighters Association and Emergency Medical Technicians while on active duty; and
• Saskatchewan People of Prominence - including residents who have made important contributions to the province.

Through the program, Saskatchewan honors individuals who have lost their lives while on active duty serving their country, in protecting the public, or for individuals who have made a significant contribution to the province of Saskatchewan.

The province works closely with the Geographical Names Board of Canada to maintain a national database and link to the national topographic maps.  The federal board includes a representative from each province and territory and determines the guidelines for commemorative naming and coordinates these across the territories and provinces.

Before submitting a request to the SGNB, please refer to the guidelines for commemorative naming and ensure you have the appropriate documentation in order.  Once complete, all submissions are to be sent to:

The GeoMemorial Program
Attn: Secretary
2^nd Floor, 10 Research Drive
REGINA SK  S4P 3V7