New John A. Macdonald Road name proposed: means “good relationship” in Cree
To recognize the City’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, City Council approved on June 28, 2021, the process to rename John A. Macdonald Road, to acknowledge the ongoing harm in the community experienced by Residential School Survivors.
Residential schools took Indigenous children away from their families, cultures and languages to assimilate them – so they would no longer exist as distinct peoples – and were responsible for the hunger, neglect, abuse and death of thousands of Indigenous children in Canada. Indigenous families today continue to experience this pain, grief, loss and inter-generational trauma.
“The City is committed to raising awareness and understanding of residential schools and their ongoing impacts,” says Melissa Cote, Director, Indigenous Initiatives. “We recognize that John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada, played a significant role in the development of Canada’s Indian residential school system which created and continues to create many harms for Indigenous families.”
Since Council’s direction in 2021, significant work has taken place to rename the road and there is important work still to do. The City has been meeting with Indigenous leaders, Residential School Survivors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and youth, the Saskatoon Intercultural Association, members from the Chinese community, teachers from wâhkôhtowin School and many others to recommend a new name which will be presented to the Civic Naming Committee on August 1, 2023.
The road name that will be proposed to the Civic Naming Committee is miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road – a Cree word meaning good (miyo) relationship (wâhkôhtowin).
“The proposed name reflects the theme of Reconciliation and was thoughtfully and carefully chosen after listening to and learning from the community and the people that continue to be impacted by residential schools and the legacy of John A. Macdonald,” Cote explains. “Residential schools contributed to a breakdown in communities and relationships and division; good relationships will bring us together.”
After the Civic Naming Committee, the next steps in the approval process for the renaming, are:
- August 9, 2023: Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services to consider the recommendation to approve the name
- August 30, 2023: City Council to consider the recommendation to approve the renaming and to direct a Street Name Change Bylaw
- September 27, 2023: City Council to consider the approval of Street Name Change Bylaw
- Fall/Winter 2023: Street sign and map changes
Throughout the renaming journey, the City has engaged with John A. Macdonald Road property owners and residents and this evening held a meeting to inform them of the proposed name and provide an update on the renaming process. The City will support property owners and residents with having their address changed including approved associated costs. More information on how to access support will be available directly for property owners and residents in the upcoming months.
For more information, visit the John A. Macdonald Road webpage at saskatoon.ca/engage/renaming which is kept updated with the latest information.