Dryden City Council has unanimously passed a municipal by-law renaming Colonization Avenue.
The north end of the road will be known as Boozhoo Avenue, while the south end will be renamed Memorial Avenue.
The process was started in January by the volunteer committee Working Circle and included 60 days of public consultation and over 400 suggested street names.
Mayor Greg Wilson says, “We all have a role in positively influencing the relationships of everyone residing in our part of Northwestern Ontario and this street name change is symbolic of our mutual desire to live in peace and harmony.”
Councillor and Working Circle Co-Chair Shayne MacKinnon says he’s proud of the support and encouragement of the overwhelming majority of Dryden residents in this change.
He adds Dryden is moving forward by showing that it’s never too late to do the right thing.
A renaming ceremony will be held on June 21 to coincide with National Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations.
Dryden Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt provides some background on the name change and what residents need to know moving forward:
Background on Colonization Name Change
Meantime, a public meeting was held in Fort Frances Monday for a proposed name change to Colonization Road.
There were no comments offering support and no one in opposition.
The issue had generated considerable debate on social media.
Town planner Cody Vangel says some of the input has already been received with potential street names.
Name suggestions will be accepted up until Thursday, April 29 at noon.
Vangel says they hope to have a shortlist of five names for council to review in the near future.
(With Files From Randy Thoms: Fort Frances)