City focusing on cultural link to parks and streets
Subdivision, park naming to follow city’s cultural plan
In the future, you may see fewer parks and subdivisions named after flora and fauna, and more names recognizing Indigenous history and values.
City of Regina administration is recommending that all flora and fauna names be suspended until a review of the civic naming process is completed. The review will address how park and street names align with Regina’s cultural plan, as well as the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“We have had a number of requests from developers for flora and fauna names, but at the same time we have a cultural plan that has now been approved by council that has actions related to park naming,” said Janine Daradich, manager of recreation planning and partnerships.
“We just want to take a step back and ensure that our policy and process aligns with the cultural plan and the calls to action moving forward.”
Currently, developers can submit a name for new parks they are constructing. Community associations and the zoning board are also able to submit names.
“That process will still continue,” Daradich said.
“(Developers) will be able to submit names to the civic naming committee to be considered. We are just putting a hold on the flora and fauna.”
Council will be looking at the naming of six parks in Regina on July 31. Two parks located in Greens on Gardiner will be named after a fish (Plains Minnow Park) and a bird (Yellow Rail Park), while four parks will recognize the achievements of notable citizens of Regina. Of the four, only Tony Cote Park is named for an Indigenous person.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Cote served for 14 months during the Korean War, created the Saskatchewan Indian Games and served as the commissionaire of the First Nations University of Canada before he retired. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.
“With the direction from the cultural plan, the specific action from that plan talks about ensuring that our names recognize Regina’s unique history and cultural diversity,” Daradich said. “Obviously, Indigenous names form an important part of our culture and history and that will be considered as part of the process.”
Of the 1,840 approved names on the city’s naming list, which includes flora and fauna, a total of 15, or 0.8 per cent, are Indigenous people.
The city’s community services department had received several requests for flora and fauna park names in new developments with themed naming conventions.
While the names were on the approved list of civic names, administration felt they did not represent the culture or heritage of the city.
Greens on Gardiner will receive the fauna names as it is nearly completed and is a themed development. The city does not expect any issues with limiting flora and fauna names for developers.
“I think it will be part of the process, having conversations with the development community,” Daradich said.
“We hope that they will be on board with the community’s desire that we heard through the community plan. It is important to recognize our history and our cultural diversity.”