The National Capital Commission (NCC) board of directors voted last Thursday to rename the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway as Kichi Zībī Mīkan (pronounced kitchi zee-bee MEE-khan) which means “Great River Road.”
The new name references the Algonquin name for the river — Kichi Zībī — and the original name for the parkway, the Ottawa River Parkway. It also highlights the importance of the Ottawa River as a great and abundant river that has provided for peoples’ needs for generations, just as it does today. The river has served to build relationships, connect communities, and allow people to relate to one another.
Renaming the Parkway demonstrates a commitment to focus on and recognize Indigenous culture and heritage in Ottawa as we move forward in the process of reconciliation.
A signage unveiling ceremony will be held in September 2023, followed by an event that would include opportunities to share stories with Algonquin community members and the public.
