John A. Macdonald Road could have a new name after Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand called on City Council to make the change, in the name of reconciliation.
Arcand believes renaming the street will lead to healing for the many people that have endured pain and suffering as a result of the residential school system. He says there will be some people who will be upset about the proposed change, but believes there will be more who want to see the change, and continue the healing journey together. Arcand says the STC understands the history of the name, and isn’t trying to change that but is instead trying to correct it.
Arcand says the STC is not trying to upset the neighbourhood or communities, but is asking those communities to understand and be respectful. His suggestion was to rename the street to Reconciliation Road, but he hopes City Council will consider the input of residential school survivors, if they decide to change the name.
Arcand also announced he will embark on an awareness walk Monday which will start at the Saskatoon Tribal Council building. Chief Arcand plans to walk 24 kilometers around Circle Drive. He says the event will follow the guidelines set by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Thursday, David Kirton, Councillor for the ward where the John A. Macdonald Road is located and Mayor Charlie Clark, stated in a news release that they will begin the process to change the name of the street at the next Governance and Priorities Committee meeting. Mayor Clark says it is time to make this change and honour the truths that Residential School Survivors have shared about the impacts of these schools through generations. The notice of motion for the name change will recognize the role that John A. Macdonald played in the Residential School system and acknowledge the on-going harm in the community due to that.
The next Governance and Priorities Committee meeting for Saskatoon City Council is June 21st, which is also National Indigenous Peoples Day.
(CJWW)