A list of potential names for the renaming of Colonization Road has been selected by a committee of Fort Frances town council.
Members of the Planning and Development Executive Committee narrowed the list for the West Road to Sunrise, Heritage, Spirit and Moonlight Trail.
Agamiing (meaning at the shore, at the lake, at the water), Nibi (water), Harmony, Shoreline and Sunset Drive were identified as potential names for Colonization Road East.
Over 70 names were put forward by the public to consider.
Councillor Doug Judson says at least one section of the road should have an Indigenous name.
“I don’t think it’s going to look well upon us if our idea of engaging and Reconciliation is not to actually honouring Indigenous people in the way we have with so many other people with our streets,” says Judson.
Mayor June Caul would also like to see at least one Indigenous word used.
“I think would be appropriate in the East because we’re entering from the First Nations community and going back into it when we come and go,” says Caul.
The names will be presented to council next week to pick the final two.
The committee is also recommending the new names be put in place on January 1, 2022, to gives residents living along Colonization Rd. time to change their addresses on necessary documentation.
A ceremony recognizing the name changes may be held before then.
Judson also suggests a place for the old road signs.
“I would suggest that when they are removed, one of them be kept in our museum, one of them given to the Mounds (Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre), and that we consider donating a third one to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg,” says Judson.
(A previous version indicated Sunset was a suggestion for Colonization Road East. It should have read Sunrise)
