Edmonton avenue officially renamed Okîsikow Way
In 2011, the stretch of road formerly known as 101A Avenue between 96 Street and 97 Street was given the honorary name using the Cree word for "angel" — but a ceremony on Friday has made the name official
Published Jun 14, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read
A hidden Edmonton avenue has officially been renamed Okîsikow Way.
In 2011, the stretch of road formerly known as 101A Avenue between 96 Street and 97 Street was given the honorary name using the Cree word for “angel” — but a ceremony on Friday has made the name official.
The City of Edmonton was one of the first Canadian cities to support a national initiative called the Angel Street Project that began in Nunavut in 2007 to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence.
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‘I dare you to care’Elisapee Sheutiapik — founder of the Angel Street Project, former Iqaluit mayor and former MLA for Iqaluit-Sina — spoke at the naming celebration Friday about her connection to domestic violence, explaining her sister’s death 30 years ago remains unsolved.
“I’m going to set a challenge for the rest of our country: I dare you to care. I dare you to care and name something in your city — not as an apology. Don’t link it to residential school,” Sheutiapik said.
“This was created to never forget those lives lost to violence. Don’t mix them up.”
In 2022, the city proclaimed June 14 as Okîsikow Way Day.
On March 26, 2024, the city’s naming committee unanimously approved the permanent naming of 101A Avenue as Okîsikow (Angel) Way as of June 1, 2024.
Street blade designed by late activistAn angel sits above the Okîsikow (Angel) Way blade, designed and created by Gloria Neapetung in 2011 — it’s a piece of art she was best known for. Neapetung was a Treaty 4 Yellow Quill First Nation member who was born in Saskatchewan and lived in Edmonton before she died in 2016.
A street sign is placed on a pole to mark the official renaming of 101A Avenue to Okisikow Way NW on Friday, June 14, 2024 in Edmonton. Photo by Greg Southam /PostmediaShe served three and a half years in a federal women’s prison, where she discovered her talent for art. After leaving the institution she became involved in several social justice movements, including the Edmonton Sisters in Spirit Vigils and the Edmonton Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Walks.
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Valerie Gow asked if she could speak about Neapetung and her advocacy during Friday’s ceremony. Gow worked at the Edmonton Institution for Women and was the Indigenous intervention centre co-ordinator.
She said she first met Neapetung when she was at the prison. When Neapetung expressed she wanted to start doing art, Gow helped her gather supplies.
“I was so privileged to have worked with and learned from Gloria when I first met her, and it was apparent that she had lived a hard life and the wounds of her personal wars were evident on her physical and emotional being,” Gow said.
“She had, what seemed at the time, insurmountable mountains to climb. But slowly, she gained her footing, adjusted her vision, lifted her head up high and began her journey of healing.
“I think of Gloria often, and I’m still amazed at her incredible, resilient spirit.”
@kccindytran
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