First road in Muskoka to be renamed to honour local Indigenous culture
The District of Muskoka approved changing the name of Muskoka Road 38 in an effort to move towards a path of reconciliation.
According to Wahta First Nation, the road has received final approval to be renamed to the Mohawk word Kanien'kehá:ka Iohatátie.
"Its meaning is 'Mohawk People Road.' It reflects the people and the road that carries the people and the language. It's the first time it has had a name. We have always been a number," said Wahta First Nation Chief Philip Franks.
According to Franks, the name was chosen and ultimately narrowed down from a list of 40 other possibilities. The final decision was made through Wahta elders, councillors, the District of Muskoka and the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
"This really was a name that was important because it reflects not just the area, not just a characteristic of the area, but also the people who are from the land," said Jeff Lehman, Chair for the District of Muskoka.
According to Wahta First Nation, the name change has been 30 years in the making.
The First Nation's attempt to change the name of Muskoka Road 30 was turned down in the 1990s.
"We couldn't come to terms with local municipal government, so the name Muskoka Road 38 remained, so this change has been great. It reflects a community and our people, and that's the key to reconciliation because it begins with learning," said Chief Franks.
The District of Muskoka says motorists can expect to see the name change on road signs, GPS systems and maps by the end of June to early July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.