Councillor Kirton provided the following Notice of Motion in accordance with section 129(1)(b) of Bylaw No. 9170, The Procedures and Committees Bylaw, 2014:
'Whereas John A. Macdonald played a significant role in the design, development and the implementation of Canada’s Indian residential school system (IRSS);
Whereas the IRSS was a systematic, government-sponsored attempt to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages and to assimilate Indigenous peoples so they no longer existed as distinct peoples;
Whereas the IRSS was responsible for the hunger, neglect, abuse and deaths of thousands of Indigenous children;
Whereas Indigenous families today are still struggling with pain, grief, loss and inter-generational trauma the IRSS has caused;
Whereas a street located in the Confederation Park neighbourhood is named John A. Macdonald Road;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Administration begin the process for the renaming of John A. Macdonald Road as a way to acknowledge the on-going harm in the community experienced by the IRSS and the role that John A. Macdonald played in this part of history;
Be it further resolved that the renaming process will include public education and public engagement including:
-
- Consultation with Indigenous community leaders, residential school survivors and Elders and Knowledge Keepers;
- Direct communication with John A. Macdonald Road residents;
- Informing Confederation Park neighbourhood residents;
- A wider community public education campaign; and
- A look at options to manage any costs of changing names and what tools could be used to facilitate a change
Finally, be it resolved that the Administration report back not later than Quarter 4 of 2021 and include information related to the proposed Legacy Review currently being developed.'
Correspondence from the following regarding this matter was provided:
- Requesting to speak:
- from Brooklyn Neveu, Norine Tourangeau, Dan Norton, and Kristin Enns-Kavanagh; and
- Submitting comments:
- Amy Shipley, dated June 17, 2021;
- Amy-Jill Gray, dated June 18, 2021;
- Ann Iwanchuk, dated June 20, 2021;
- April Tipewan, dated June 17, 2021;
- Ari Avivi, dated June 11, 2021;
- Ashley Carrier, dated June 18, 2021;
- Ashley Hrabowy, dated June 17, 2021;
- Ashu Solo, undated;
- Barb Tawpisin, dated June 18, 2021;
- Beverley Mandes, dated June 18, 2021;
- Brian Attig, dated June 18, 2021;
- Chelsea Ziegler, dated June 18, 2021;
- Chris Pechawis, dated June 17, 2021;
- Connie Hill, dated June 15, 2021;
- Courtney Arcand, dated June 18, 2021;
- Craig McCallum, dated June 17, 2021;
- Daisy Nippi, dated June 18, 2021;
- Dan Norton, dated June 18, 2021;
- Dana Soonias, dated June 18, 2021;
- Daphne Bear, dated June 18, 2021;
- Debbie Isbister, dated June 18, 2021;
- Derek Genereaux, dated June 18, 2021;
- Diane Forest, dated June 20, 2021;
- Drew Lafond, dated June 18, 2021;
- Dynelle Wolfe, dated June 18, 2021;
- Erica Stevenson, dated June 18, 2021;
- Erin O'Connor, dated June 18, 2021;
- Fayth Runns, dated June 18, 2021;
- Gary Beaudin, dated June 18, 2021;
- Geoffrey Svenkeson, dated June 18, 2021;
- George Leggott, dated June 11, 2021;
- Haylee Gustafson, dated June 18, 2021;
- Henry A. Keshane, dated June 18, 2021;
- Jaryd Watson, dated June 17, 2021;
- Jeannie Pewapisconias, dated June 18, 2021;
- Jim Miller, dated June 17, 2021
- Judith Cheesbrough, dated June 19, 2021;
- Kristyn Turner, dated June 18, 2021;
- Laura Parenteau, dated June 18, 2021;
- Lee Smokeyday, dated June 18, 2021;
- Leonard Manitoken, dated June 18, 2021;
- Lesley Whiteman, dated June 18, 2021;
- Lesly Couillonneur, dated June 19, 2021;
- Linda Hagan, dated June 18, 2021;
- Lorine McGavin, dated June 18, 2021;
- Lorri Arcand, dated June 18, 2021;
- Mark Arcand, dated June 17, 2021;
- Michael Henry, dated June 17, 2021;
- Michelle Blackmon, dated June 17, 2021;
- Mike Tanton, dated June 17, 2021;
- Nicole Boschman, dated June 8, 2021;
- Nikki Young, dated June 18, 2021;
- Rachel Meetoos, dated June 18, 2021;
- Roger Parenteau, dated June 18, 2021;
- Sarah Cochran (Smokeyday), dated June 17, 2021;
- Sharon Miller, dated June 17, 2021;
- Shelley Young, dated June 18, 2021;
- Stephanie Clovechok, Tourism Saskatoon, dated June 21, 2021;
- Troy Cooper, Chief, Saskatoon Police Service dated June 18, 2021;
- Verna Daniels, dated June 18, 2021;
- Wanda Hudy, dated June 18, 2021; and
- Wilf Popoff, dated June 20, 2021
Councillor Kirton introduced his motion.
The following individuals were in attendance to address Committee and respond to questions:
- Dan Norton;
- Kristin Enns-Kavanagh - Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society; and
- Brooklyn Neveu, Norine Tourangeu, Audrey Ben and Faith Obey - Wahkohtowin Elementary School
Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development, answered questions of Committee.
Councillor Dubois joined the meeting at 11:01 a.m. during comments.
The meeting recessed at 11:14 a.m. and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. to continue consideration of the motion.