In November 2007, ministerial authority and responsibility for The Geographic Names Board Act was transferred from the Minister responsible for the Information Services Corporation to the Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport (TPCS). Within TPCS, the provision of administrative and technical support to the Geographic Names Board (GNB) is assigned to the Heritage Resources Branch.

The GNB is an advisory board to the Minister of TPCS and is responsible for naming natural geographic features in Saskatchewan. In addition, the GNB acts as provincial liaison with its federal counterpart, the Geographic Names Board of Canada, which is concerned with the development of national toponymy (place-naming) policies, procedures, and standards.

GNB membership consists of a cross-representation of different disciplines and special interests including, academia, provincial government, Aboriginal community, and the general public. Board members are:

Mr. Gib Macaulay (Chair), Information Services Corporation, Regina
Dr. Jim W. Brennan, Regina
Mr. Doug Chisholm, La Ronge
Mr. Keith Goulet, Regina
Dr. Stewart Raby, Regina
Ms. Eva Wisner, North Battleford
Mr. Arok Wolvengrey, Regina

Mr. Art Marbach (Customer Service Representative, Information Services Corporation, Regina) serves as Secretary to the GNB.

There are approximately 14,000 official names of populated places, geographic features, parks and reserves in Saskatchewan, including 3,931 named under the GNB's Geo-Memorial Program. In addition to serving a vital administrative function, geographic place names reflect the culture and heritage of the province and its people from earliest recorded history to the present day.

New Saskatchewan place names are proposed to the GNB from various sources and become official through a process of GNB review and recommendation, followed by approval of the Minister responsible for The Geographic Names Board Act.

If you wish to propose a geographic name change, please follow these guidelines.