Say hello to Cayou Channel: Orcas Island waterway gets a new name

Washington state has renamed a body of water south of Orcas Island after a local indigenous man.

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When ferries pull into the dock on Orcas Island, they pass by Harney Channel. It was named after General William Harney who became well known for his role in the "Pig War" between the United States and England. That incident eventually led to U.S. control of the San Juan Islands.

But Harney's name has also been cemented in history as the man who led troops to kill Indigenous women and children in what is now Nebraska, during the 1855 Battle of Ash Hollow. That incident is also known as "the Harney Massacre."

After that history was discovered by a local history aficionado, an effort was spurred to change the name to something with more admirable character.

RELATED: Changing the channel — San Juan locals propose new name for waterway

That's where the name Henry Cayou came up. Cayou was an Indigenous entrepreneur, a fisher, and a San Juan County Commissioner for nearly 30 years. He was one of the first Indigenous elected officials in Washington state. Cayou passed away in 1959.

Being of mixed parentage, Cayou was a "bridge between cultures," according to Ken Carrasco who helped lead the renaming effort.

People near the Orcas Island ferry dock sounded supportive of the change upon hearing the news.

"I think it makes some sense," said Chris Bergland from Center Island. "They're taking a look back at a lot of the names they've used over the years for people and found that while they maybe achieved some great things, they may have done some not-so-nice things as well. And the thought of honoring people who have done more nice things makes a lot of sense."

Sarah Cotton from Seattle commented that she's "excited to hear that way up on Orcas Island that we're honoring a range of people not just old white dudes."

"Definitely to me seems like the right trajectory to go back and honor the Native people here with this new name," said Samantha Fisher from Orcas Island. "And I'd be interested more in what these waters were originally called and raising up those words."

More updates in KUOW's Today So Far Blog!