B.C. Ferries has renamed one of its ferries.
The vessel, previously known as MV Kuper, is now called Pune'luxutth.
Councillor Josh James of the Penelakut Tribe, which chose the new name — the Hul’qumi’num’ word for Penelakut — said the tribe is “relieved to see the removal of the colonial name Kuper,” which has been associated with the former residential school of the same name.
The ferry's new name was revealed Friday at Point Hope Shipyards in Victoria, where the vessel has gone through a five-year refit.
The 171-foot-long ferry, built in 1985, is expected back in service on Dec. 9 on the Chemainus-Thetis-Penelakut route.
