Background
Latest News (Updated February 29, 2024)
miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road Residents: You are encouraged to start changing your address. If you need help, we are here to support you.
- A Changing Your Address Guide has been created to assist.
- View a list of addresses the City has already changed for you.
- NEW! A limited quantity of postage-paid Change of Address Cards are available for pick up at the downtown Saskatoon Post Office at 311 4th Avenue North (near City Hall).
- Individual One-on-One Sessions will be available to any residents that need more help. For information on available dates and to register, call 306-975-3378. When you call, please let us know if you will require a translator.
Important!
Adding the symbol (sometimes referred to as a circumflex or macron) above the “a” and “o” in wâhkôhtowin can be done on any device (e.g. phone, tablet, computer). You don’t need to use these symbols when you type your address, or provide it to others or organizations/businesses to use. Your mail, parcels and deliveries will still be delivered without them.
See: How to Type miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road
A New Name for the Road
On June 28, 2021, Saskatoon City Council approved the process to rename John A. Macdonald Road to recognize the ongoing harm in the community experienced by residential schools. The City of Saskatoon (City) is committed to raising awareness and understanding of residential schools and their ongoing impacts.
Why a New Name
John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada, played a significant role in the development of Canada’s Indian residential school system. Residential schools took Indigenous children away from their families, cultures and languages to assimilate them - so they would no longer exist as distinct peoples.
Residential schools were responsible for the hunger, neglect, abuse and death of thousands of Indigenous children in Canada. Indigenous families today continue to experience this pain, grief, loss and inter-generational trauma.
The New Name: miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road
The City met with Indigenous leaders, Residential School Survivors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and youth, the Saskatoon Intercultural Association, members from the Chinese community, teachers from wâhkôhtowin School and others to recommend a new name for the Road to the City of Saskatoon’s Civic Naming Committee. The name was approved by City Council on September 27, 2023.
The name is miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road – Cree for good (miyo) relationship (wâhkôhtowin). It is pronounced mee-yo wah-KOH-toh-win
The 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. Residential schools contributed to a breakdown of relationships within the community, causing division; good relationships will bring us together.
Legacy Review
The City has a current policy for naming a street, park or civic facility, but is creating a new process to look at the naming, recognition and celebration of the histories of Indigenous peoples and other diverse communities in Saskatoon. This Legacy Review will provide a way to look at the renaming of other streets, parks or civic facilities in the future and make Saskatoon a safer and more equitable place for all.