Some of the Indigenous street signs along River Street in Prince Albert. (Submitted photo/City of P.A.)

By paNOW Staff

Indigenous History

Street signs displayed along River Street featuring P.A.’s Indigenous languages

Apr 30, 2021 | 8:00 AM

River Street in Prince Albert is now home to street signs displayed in local Indigenous languages.

According to a recent media release, River Street is the first location where names are displayed under the city’s Indigenous Naming initiative.

Along River Street, signs will be displayed on First Ave. W, First Ave. E. and Sixth Ave. E. These signs are written in six different Indigenous languages such as Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, Woodland Cree, Dakota, Dene and Michif.

“The purpose of the initiative is to acknowledge the history of the people who lived on these lands before settlers arrived, while also looking for opportunities to reflect and honour the contributions of the Indigenous community in Prince Albert,” said Judy MacLeod Campbell, Arts and Cultural Coordinator for the City of Prince Albert, in the release.

“Although 42 per cent of our community identifies as Indigenous, we were only able to identify nine locations in Prince Albert with an Indigenous name. There’s so much more that can be done, and this initiative has helped us to start that conversation and begin to reflect on the people, places and names that are appropriate for Prince Albert.”

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The city first made the announcement on November of 2019 and the locations were chosen because the river is a historical meeting place for Indigenous communities. It is also part of P.A.’s Municipal Cultural Action Plan (MCAP) after it was approved by council.

The city explained other locations and names were considered by the Knowledge Keeper Committee. They kept an inventory for potential places for Indigenous naming by the City of P.A. and the Historical Society.

“This initiative is part of ongoing work of the MCAP to ensure that all nations, communities, newcomers and individuals are welcomed and celebrated in the community while working toward achieving the recommendations identified in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action,” as stated in the release.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow