The renaming of John A. Macdonald Road to a Cree term has moved one step closer to reality.
The proposed name change to miyo-wâhkôhtowin was approved unanimously by a City of Saskatoon planning, development, and community services committee on Wednesday.
In Cree, miyo-wâhkôhtowin roughly translates to “good relationship.”
Jessie Sylvestre, president of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre, spoke at the committee meeting.
“Renaming the street is a meaningful and appropriate act of reconciliation,” Sylvestre said. “miyo-wâhkôhtowin means ‘good relationship’, holding ourselves to this standard will bring new meaning to our past histories, the present, and what we all want for the future.”
Sylvestre then spoke on John A. Macdonald’s time as prime minister and superintendent of Indian Affairs saying many of Macdonald’s decisions in those roles had “malicious intent” for Indigenous people.
The proposed name change will now go before city council in September for final approval.