Regina commission votes to change Dewdney Park name to Buffalo Meadows Park; council to make final decision

The Regina planning commission voted 8-1Wednesday evening in favour of changing the name ofDewdney Park in the North Central neighbourhood to Buffalo Meadows Park.

The renaming proposal will now go before Regina's city council next week.City council unanimously approved the renaming of Dewdney Pool, which is in the park, last week.

Coun.Terina Shaw was the sole vote against the new name. CBC Saskatchewan has contacted Shaw for comment.

Past reports from city administrationsaid Edgar Dewdney was a historical figure who was "directly responsible for the development and administration of harmful policies toward Indigenous peoples," including establishing and overseeing residential schools.

In July 2020, the group Decolonizing Relations submitted a petition requesting the pool, park and Dewdney Avenue be renamed. The city is currently creating a legacy process to review the avenue name.

Joely BigEagle-Kequahtoowaytold the commission on Wednesday that the renaming is an act ofreconciliation, and of "claiming that identity and that connection."

"Not necessarily only Indigenous people, but all over the world, people are talking about decolonization and reimagining their future," she said.

BigEagle-Kequahtooway said the new name is a partof the legacy of the city which was originally known as "Pile of Bones" due to piles of buffalo bones.

"When you look at the reverse image, that would mean that this was the land of the buffalo," she said.

"So part of what's happening today in present times is reimagining how our futures would look to reclaiming space for my fellow brothers and sisters and Indigenous extended family in the city of Regina so that we can begin to feel like we belong to this space."

The new park name was approved by the North Central Community Association and Central Zone board. If city council approves the renaming, then the city wouldwork with local groups and a local elder to hold a ceremony in spring 2021.