The topic of changing Dewdney Avenue’s name has been a hot one in Regina for quite some time.
But what do people living on the street think?
The reaction is mixed.
A lot of people didn’t even know about the proposed name change.
Regina City Council voted against the name change for Dewdney Avenue. The motion was was defeated earlier this week 7-3.
Although a lot of people were unaware about the potential change, some did have strong opinions.
Al Clarke, who’s been living on Dewdney Avenue for 33 years, said he agrees with the city’s choice.
“I think they went the right way,” he said. “If they were going to change it, who’s going to pay for all of this? All the homes and businesses who would have to change?”
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Clarke thinks the money the city saved by not going through with the name change should be used for other improvement projects.
“I think there’s lots of things they could put money towards,” he said. “We need the new pool, we need street repairs, we need all kind of things and we don’t need to spend money changing a name.”
A big reason for the proposed name change is the history behind Edgar Dewdney, the man who the street is named after.
Clarke acknowledges this.
“I think history is history,” he said. “Some of it is good and some of it is bad. But we have to live with it. I think it’s great to save a lot of money and just leave it alone.”
Councillors Andrew Stevens (Ward 3), Dan LeBlanc (Ward 6) and a handful of advocates pushed for this name change in light of Dewdney’s legacy as Indian Commissioner.
Dewdney also played a role in residential schools.
Advocate Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway has been pushing for this change for years. She believes that Indigenous people deserve to feel a sense of belonging in this city, and a name like Dewdney is not a welcoming one.
She was upset by the city’s final decision.
Another woman who wanted to be identified as Ino and has been living on Dewdney Avenue for three years, does not have a problem with the city’s decision.
“Oh, I am happy about it,” she said. “I have no problem with not changing the name. To me, Dewdney Avenue is just fine.”
However, she said she wasn’t aware of the historical context of Dewdney’s name.
One man who didn’t wish to be recorded was upset with the city’s decision. He wishes the name change went through.
Another woman said she didn’t care what decision the city came to.
“I don’t really care either way if they would have or if they didn’t,” she said.
She doesn’t think it would have caused problems if the city had changed it but acknowledges that it would have been costly.
“There’s lots of things they could be putting the money towards instead,” she said. She mentioned homelessness was a big issue that the city should be focusing on.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen headlines about a street name change.
Last summer, Saskatoon saw John A. Macdonald Road changed to miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road – Cree for good relationship.
The approval for this name change was back in 2021.
“The proposed name reflects the theme of reconciliation and was thoughtfully and carefully chosen after listening to and learning from the community and the people that continue to be impacted by residential schools and the legacy of John A. Macdonald,” Melissa Cote, the city’s director of Indigenous initiatives, said in a news release.
“Residential schools contributed to a breakdown in communities and relationships and division; good relationships will bring us together.”
Cost of this change was a big talking point in Saskatoon, with the price tag for the name change was $35,000, according to a city official. The first sign with the new name went up last December.
The 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line can be contacted at 1-866-925-4419.
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