The new names for Colonization Road in Fort Frances will be Agamiing Drive in the East and Sunset Drive in the West.
It came down to a 4-3 vote by town council primarily because of a difference of opinion on an Indigenous name for the road’s east section.
Councillor Mike Behan says that section of the road deserved an Indigenous name with its proximity to Couchiching First Nation.
“To not take this opportunity to recognize and honour the Indigenous culture/heritage that is such an important part of our area would be a mistake on our part,” says Behan.
Mayor June Caul and Councillors Andrew Hallikas and Doug Judson also backing the use of the name Agamiing.
Councillor John McTaggart supported the use of Shoreline, saying he found no support for an Indigenous name.
I’ve had emails, texts. I’ve had phone calls, individuals stop me on my walk. I have to be honest, until this afternoon, when did I receive one text, nobody has supported an Indigenous-based name.
Councillor Wendy Brunetta offered a compromise, suggesting using Agamiing for the portion of the road leading to Seven Oaks with the rest of Colonization Road East being renamed Shoreline.
Her idea found no support from other councillors.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft also voted for Shoreline.
It was Judson who brought the renaming issue to council last November.
“This has been a long and difficult process. It is not the one I wanted when I brought this forward in November. It exposed an undercurrent of racism and bigotry in our community, and I am disappointed that this was only a 4-3 vote,” says Judson in a release issued after the meeting. “But what I hope this experience tells council is that there is an appetite for social change in this community, and that we, as leaders, have to direct these discussions toward a vision. It isn’t good enough to shy away from equity issues because they might offend the prejudices or privileges of others. I hope we can do better in the future.”
Renaming the West section of the road was a much easier exercise.
Sunset Drive was a unanimous selection by town council.
The official changeover will take place on January 1, 2022.
It’s to give residents and businesses along Colonization Road the time to make any address changes with their documentation.
