In 1896, there is a folk tale about a Chinese cook with the Canadian Railway climbed the Canmore mountain on a $50 bet. The non-fiction film, produced by Sticks & Stones and CBC, looks at the international controversy surrounding the mountain’s name during the mid-nineties.

Before then, the mountain was officially known as ‘Chinaman’s Peak’, which stirred up conflicting charges of bigotry and political correctness, garnered international attention.

The hour long production interviews politicians, writers, artists and activists on either side of the conflict. ‘Ha Ling Peak’ explores how etymology of how names grow and change, conflicting perspectives on who gets to name the natural environment and when those names should change.

“This film is so relevant, as people all around the world come to terms with the legacy and power of place names. It shows how a small community of people can be blind to the pain created in the past, but who can also learn and reconcile for a better world.” says Sheila Peacock, CBC Executive Producer for Absolutely Vancouver & Alberta.

‘Ha Ling Peak’ will premiere on Aug. 18 at 7 pm on CBC Television and online as part of the Absolutely Canadian program, a series that highlights stories created by independent filmmakers from every region in Canada.