REGINA PLANNING COMMISSION – AUGUST 2, 2018
The Commission adopted a resolution to concur in the recommendation contained in the report.
Recommendation #2 does not require City Council approval.
Councillors: Bob Hawkins, Mike O’Donnell (Chairperson) and Barbara Young; Commissioners: David Bale, Frank Bojkovsky, Adrienne Hagen Lyster, Robert Porter, Steve Tunison and Celeste York were present during consideration of this report by the Regina Planning Commission.
The Regina Planning Commission, at its meeting held on August 2, 2018, considered the following report from the Administration:
RECOMMENDATION
1. That the Creeks MR3 be named Okimasis Park.
2. That this report be forwarded to the August 27, 2018 City Council meeting for approval.
CONCLUSION
Currently the park naming process and policies are under review by the City Clerk’s Office. However, development is still moving forward, so until a new policy is approved Administration is following current policy and process.
Karina Developments Ltd. has requested the name Okimasis be assigned to the Creeks MR3. As Okimasis Park strongly aligns with the objectives of the Cultural Plan and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, rather than seeking other name options from the community, Administration instead asked for support from the Arcola East Community Association for the requested park name. They agreed with the selection and Administration recommends the approval of Okimasis Park for the Creeks MR3.
BACKGROUND
The current Park Naming Policy requires the Administration to consider requests from the developer, Community Association and Zone Board to assign to parks. Names are first submitted to an internal Civic Naming Committee which considers the names within the context of the Park Naming Policy and Procedures, adopted by Council in June 2005 (CR05-101) and amended in May 2007 (CR07-86). Upon approval by the Civic Naming Committee, names can be assigned to public open space with Council approval.
As part of the process for naming parks, names proposed by developers are shared with the affected Community Associations and Zone Boards. Through this review process Administration encourages the adoption of names aligned with Regina’s Cultural Plan and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (TRC).
DISCUSSION
The proposed name “Okimasis” is on the list of names approved by the Civic Naming Committee. It is also a name that is in alignment with the objective of the Regina Cultural Plan, to “ensure that the naming of streets, parks and other civic assets is done to celebrate Regina’s unique history of cultural diversity and that tells the whole story of Regina.”
Karina Developments Ltd. has requested that the name “Okimasis” be assigned to the Creeks MR3 in honour of Jean Okimasis. The following is a brief biography, which was submitted to the Civic Naming Committee as part of the review process.
Jean Okimasis (1938-) was born Jean Lillian Littlechief on the White Bear First Nation. In 1982 she was hired as a Cree language instructor and curriculum designer at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) in Regina, SK. Her work with SIFC led to the development of “Indian languages” as a full Department in what would eventually become First Nations University of Canada. Okimasis has created textbooks, workbooks and language tapes for Cree instruction, and she is the author of the Saskatchewan Education K-12 Curriculum Guide for Teaching Aboriginal Languages. Her work in preserving the Cree language led to her receiving the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in 2000 and an honourary doctorate from the University of Regina in 2005.
As a result of the strong connection to the Regina Cultural Plan and the TRC, Administration is recommending approval of the developer’s request.
RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications for the City of Regina related to the naming of the Creeks MR3. Park signage will be installed at the expense of the developer.
Environmental Implications
There are no environmental implications associated with this report.
Policy and/or Strategic Implications
The Park Naming Policy contributes to the harmony of the City of Regina by providing an opportunity for Community Associations as well as other public organizations to participate in public process, allowing them to be informed and engaged in what is happening within their community. As mentioned earlier in the report park naming also supports the objectives of the Regina Cultural Plan, to “ensure that the naming of streets, parks and other civic assets is done to celebrate Regina’s unique history and cultural diversity and that it tells the whole story of Regina.”
Other Implications
There are no other implications associated with this report.
Accessibility Implications
There are no accessibility implications associated with this report.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Arcola East Community Association was informed of the request to name the Creeks MR3 Okimasis Park.
Once names are approved by Council, the park space will contain a park sign with a decal that explains who or what the park is named after, with a short biography. All costs associated with the sign are covered by Developer.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY
In accordance with the Open Space Park Naming Policy and Procedures, City Council approval is required to name park space.
Respectfully submitted,
REGINA PLANNING COMMISSION
Elaine Gohlke, Secretary