Part of park may be renamed to honour Indigenous peoples
It seems likely a part of Victoria Park will be renamed Reconciliation Circle.
Saskatoon city council’s planning, development and community services committee voted unanimously Monday to endorse a report that identified a section of the park for renaming.
Under the proposal a portion of the park just northeast of Lions Skate Park that is bounded by cycling paths would be renamed. A sculpture is planned to be erected next spring at the northeast end of the identified area to honour the legacy of Indigenous peoples in the region.
“I wholeheartedly support this recommendation,” Coun. Bev Dubois said. “We have to be clear that we’re renaming a portion of Victoria Park and that Victoria Park will still be there.”
The original request of city hall, made by Shirley Isbister, president of the Central Urban Metis Federation, suggested either the entire park or part of it could be renamed.
The report endorsed by the committee Monday included a map showing the proposed area and the signatures of dozens of supporters.
“I’ve heard from a lot of people who are interested in this renaming,” Coun. Hilary Gough said.
Lynne Lacroix, the City of Saskatoon’s director of recreation and community development, suggested renaming part of a park would not be unprecedented in the city. She pointed to the individual fields inside Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
The city has stepped up efforts to comply with a recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to name prominent infrastructure to honour the legacy of Indigenous peoples. The naming attempts to help address the painful legacy of residential schools. A sculpture called Where Our Paths Cross is slated to be installed in the spring inside the area identified for renaming. The sculpture commemorates the history of First Nations and Metis people in the Saskatoon region.
Reconciliation efforts are also guiding the naming of the new north commuter bridge.
The committee also heard a report is expected before the end of the year on how the city could approach selling naming rights and sponsorships for civic infrastructure.