Joni Mitchell approves of naming of promenade, mayor says
City council to vote on motion Monday to honour iconic hometown musician
It looks like Saskatoon and Joni Mitchell have finally agreed upon a suitable honour for the legendary singer-songwriter.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark told reporters Thursday that a group that is in touch with Mitchell has confirmed her support for naming a promenade at River Landing for the iconic musician.
City council will vote Monday on a motion to name the promenade adjacent to Spadina Crescent between Second Avenue and Third Avenue overlooking the South Saskatchewan River to honour Mitchell, who considers Saskatoon her hometown.
Clark said a dedication is planned for June should the motion pass, but Mitchell, 74, who has been reported to be in poor health in recent years, is not expected to attend.
“It seemed like a good fit,” Clark said. “It’s something that she supports and feels comfortable as the right type of recognition.”
If the tribute does come to fruition, it will mark the end of a series of failed attempts to find a way to honour Mitchell, who started performing and painting while in Saskatoon.
A frustrated Mitchell said in 2013 that she wanted a collection of memorabilia in Saskatoon returned to her and did not want to be involved in any more attempts to honour her. She said in the same StarPhoenix interview that Saskatoon is an “extremely bigoted community.”
Clark said a local group that is in touch with Mitchell proposed the promenade as an appropriate location. Many aspects of Saskatoon are reflected in Mitchell’s music, Clark noted.
The details of what the signage might look like is still being determined, he added. A plaque is also proposed for the Broadway district, where Mitchell would have played some of her first gigs.
Clark said he hopes Mitchell can make the journey at some point to walk along the promenade.
“I hope it’s the right tribute,” he said. “It feels timely to really, finally recognize this incredible woman in our city.”
Saskatoon resident Jan Coleman agrees with Clark, although early social media reaction to a StarPhoenix story appeared mainly opposed to the tribute.
In January 2017, Coleman pitched to city council the idea of entrance signs identifying Saskatoon as Mitchell’s hometown.
“I’m just thrilled,” Coleman said in an interview Thursday.
Coleman rejects the suggestion by critics of honouring Mitchell that she disavowed her hometown. She recalled seeing Mitchell perform at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival about 30 years ago.
“My response is that for decades she was so proud of Saskatoon and sang our praises,” she said. “People tried (to honour her), but they couldn’t get anything done, so she got frustrated.”
I hope it’s the right tribute. It feels timely to really, finally recognize this incredible woman in our city.