Whitewater Region is looking to rename three roads in the municipality. The recommendation came before council last week (June 16th, 2021).
In July of 2020, a request was received to change Indian Road because of the offensive nature of the term Indian. With no policy in place, township staff created one to help direct these types of requests.
The policy states that names should portray a strong positive image and have historical, cultural, Indigenous, or social significance or contributions to the community, township, the province of Ontario, or Canada. Road names should also not be perceived to be discriminatory, derogatory or impair the ability of First Responders to respond to emergencies.
Staff have been directed to inform property owners in Whitewater Region who live on Indian Road, Gypsy Lane and Meadow Drive in Beachburg of a potential renaming.
Staff are recommending Indian Road be renamed. Township staff say consultation took place with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, who confirmed use of the term is no longer acceptable and suggested Anishinaabe Road. Indian Road in Whitewater Region runs from Highway 17 to Beachburg Road with a total of 26 properties (3 of which are vacant). Homeowners will be able to submit requests in the renaming process.
Gypsy Lane is a dead-end road accessible from Foresters Falls Road and staff say it’s believed the name was selected as it was the nickname of a local inhabitant. In most languages, “gypsy” is considered insulting and requests from the two homeowners on the road will be accepted in the renaming process.
The new road naming policy also looks to address duplicate street names in an effort to reduce 911 call time and make it easier for emergency responders to navigate.
In Whitewater Region there is currently a Meadow Street in Cobden and Meadow Drive in Beachburg. Staff plan to notify residents of Meadow Drive in Beachburg of the intention to rename the road and will be requesting potential replacement names.
