This is the proposed new name for Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway
The Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa's west end will be renamed Kichi Zībī Mīkan, if approved by the National Capital Commission's board of directors.
In a letter to Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Dylan Whiteduck, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum says community members from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Algonquins of the Pikwakanagan First Nation have reached a consensus on a new name.
Nussbaum says he will recommend the board of directors approve the new name Kichi Zībī Mīkan at its meeting on June 22.
"I am thankful for the generosity of the participants, who shared views, stories and cultural references about the area, highlighting the profound connection the Algonquin Anishinabeg maintain with the river and surroundings," Nussbaum said.
"If approved by the board, NCC staff will work with both Algonquin communities to plan an unveiling ceremony this fall."
The letter was published in the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg weekly newsletter on Friday. An NCC spokesperson confirmed the proposed new name for the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway is Kichi Zībī Mīkan.
Kichi Zībī means great river in the Algonquin language, while mīkan is "road" or "path".
The NCC's board of directors voted in January to give a new Indigenous name to the road named after Canada's first prime minister, "Reflecting the longstanding and important relationship of the Algonquin Nation to the Ottawa River along which the parkway runs."
The NCC conducted consultations with Indigenous partners and the public.
The former Conservative government renamed the Ottawa River Parkway the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in 2012.
In 2021, three Ottawa councillors wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call on the federal government to change the name of the parkway following the discovery of a suspected mass grave at the site of a former residential school in British Columbia.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.